This week on New Hot, read about a band that got started at an open-mic night, one of America's most notorious rock bands and an act considered a Minnesota staple. These are our three recommended releases for Tuesday, March 19.

Big programming changes are afoot on The Current, and we've got all the details to keep you in the loop.

  Tonight, three finalists will face off at Mill City Nights for the latest installment of Vita.mn’s Are You Local?, an annual showcase and competition that aims to turn over new talent and send an undiscovered band to SXSW. This year, Vita.mn received 223 submissions for their contest, and ended up selecting two brand new…

Sparta, Minnesota is such a blip on the radar that you won’t find it on most maps of the state. Too small to be a town, the population of 50-odd citizens that reside in Sparta technically call their spot on the Iron Range a “location.” Pulling off the county highway onto a dirt road, there’s…

To celebrate the announcement of Wits™'s 2013 season, we're bringing you an exclusive web-only Theft of the Dial from one of last season's guests, the hilarious Maria Bamford.

2013 is already shaping up to be a big year for José James. The distinctive, silky-voiced singer has just released his Blue Note debut, No Beginning No End, to glowing reviews, with Ben Ratliff of The New York Times noting that the record “sounds like the result of the black-pop continuum, jazz and soul and…

Sometimes Duluth feels very far away. Unless bands from the area are playing regularly in the Twin Cities, it's typical for some of the brightest acts from the North Shore to get overlooked. Last year, we got a ton of tips regarding musicians producing incredible work just a few hours from The Current's home-base. One of the bands we heard most often was Southwire, and we have a feeling that Minnesota is going to be talking a lot about them this year.

This year, we’ll be spotlighting a prominent Minnesota musician or band each month with our new Artist of the Month feature. You’ll be able to hear a variety of songs from throughout the artists’ career on both the Local Current stream and the Local Show, and you can read more about the artists’ history and their role in…

On the last Friday of every month The Current's Morning Show takes its Coffee Break on the road. In January, they brought treats from Gigi's Cafe -- and a performance from Actual Wolf -- to the Animal Humane Society.

  Looking for some live music options this week? We’re here to help. Minnesota musicians from around the state will be in the Twin Cities celebrating new albums, an ex-pat will return home for an intimate show, and David Bowie’s work will be celebrated at two separate shows. For even more to do, check the…