The Chart Show: Lots of Local Love
by Mark Wheat
January 24, 2019
Hippo Campus were the highest local entry on our Top 89 of last year. Finishing their ten week stint at the top, they're inducted for the ninth time to The Chart Show Hall of Fame. This makes them the highest local entry on our All Time HOF Chart at #7. Nathaniel Rateliff goes up to Thirty on the All Time Chart with his fifth induction and Greta Van Fleet get in for the fourth time from their debut.
Thanks to everyone who came down to the Avenue last weekend to make our 14th Birthday parties so special, including all the bands who were generous in praising The Current. Just before The Suburbs took the stage, leader Chan Poling told me, "What you guys have down as a radio station for this music community is unprecedented." Cloud Cult fired off the final rocking set and move up to Number Four this week.
Another local artist from an unprecedented success story is Dessa of Doomtree! Back in at #10, she'll be at the Big Turn Fest in Red Wing next month and is set to record a live album with The MN Orchestra in March!
Local residencies are in vogue right now and The Cactus Blossoms, who started to build their fame with a Turf Club stand several years ago, are wrapping up their most recent month long stay next Monday night. Catch a live version of the Number 12 hit with Zoo Animal opening for them.
New at #13, The 1975 are "a genuinely inspiring thing to behold" according to a glowing DIY review of their O2 London show last week. They've just announced a huge USA tour including The Armory on May 7.
Sharon Van Etten's new album 'Remind Me Tomorrow' came out last week and gained rave reviews. Pitchfork gave it an 8.0, The Guardian 4/5 stars, NPR called it "stunning" and Mother Jones, "a bold departure". The new video for the song that crashes in at #19 this week is Sharon's love letter to her old home town of NYC.
The temporary trio of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus are back in the basement with a song they did at The Current Sessions back in November.
Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win The Current's Interpol with Sunflower Bean giveaway at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, MN on February 5, 2019!