Haley Bonar performs in The Current studio

Haley Bonar refers to her music career as a "happy accident." She recalls how, as a teen, she was charmed by '90s acts such as No Doubt, Nirvana and Hole. Even though she entertained dreams of doing a Gwen Stefani high-kick onstage, "I never would have believed at 30, I'd be doing this," Bonar laughs.

Now, with a new album, Last War, scheduled for release on May 20, and its party scheduled for tonight (May 16) at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, Bonar came to The Current's studio to play some new songs and to talk with Mary Lucia.

Bonar describes how a chance meeting with Alan Sparhawk (Low) in Duluth is what ignited her music career at age 19; Bonar was doing an open mic at the Nor Shor Theatre, where Sparhawk heard her and invited her to open for his band.

Songwriting, Bonar says, always seemed to come naturally to her; her mother even has a recording of Bonar singing little improvised ditties at age 3. Since Bonar has become a mother herself, she finds that it has had an effect on the themes of her songs.

Listen to the full interview to hear more from Haley Bonar, including how she feels about being signed to Graveface Records.

Songs Performed

Hosted by Mary Lucia
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark

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