Ber has been enjoying the summer of 2025 — and like a true Minnesotan, didn’t neglect to talk about the weather. But she’s been busy gearing up for a busy autumn, which will include a North American tour with her friends in British band Tors.

Together with fellow local musician and frequent collaborator Landon Conrath, Ber joined The Current's Morning Show to play acoustic versions of a couple of her hit songs, "Better Man," and "Oh, To Be Cool." After the performance, Ber talked about how she's fallen in love with the Minnesota State Fair, and how she especially loves foods that contain pickle. And after some conversation, Jill, Nil and Ber played another edition of "Name That Bear," an interactive, five-question game that includes the audience in the fun.

Use the audio player to listen to the full session — including “Name That Bear” — and find a transcript of the interview portion of Ber’s visit below.

Interview Transcript

Jill Riley: You're listening to The Current live at the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair with singer songwriter and foley artist Ber along with Landon Conrath. OK, I've been in the radio business for a while. There are times we get songs where we have to do what's called a radio edit. That radio edit might be one of my favorites, and you don't have to say the word that you were replacing, but what do you have there? Is that a guiro I see?

Ber: I believe so!

Jill Riley: Is that how you say it? Guiro? Love it.

Ber: I feel like I need to find that out. So of anyone does know how to pronounce it.

Jill Riley: I really want to know. I don't know all the answers. Hey, Ber, how's your summer been going?

Ber: Oh my gosh, it's been great. I mean, the weather has been crazy. Wow, I'm so Minnesotan, me talking about the weather.

Jill Riley: We're just sitting here talking about the weather!

Ber: But no, genuinely, it's been fun and challenging and full of stuff. It's been very hectic summer, but I really enjoyed it.

Jill Riley: Give me a highlight. I mean, did you like go to any music festivals? Did you play any shows that were fun in particular?

Ber: Well, I spent the first half of the summer in London, which was really, really fun. It did a lot of writing, lots of music festivals over there, like spectating, playing little secret things. And then while I've been in Minnesota, I got to go up to the North Shore, which was really fun. I love Lake Superior. So I've been trying to buckle in and have a little summer before we get really busy here in the fall.

Jill Riley: Yeah, you're going on tour.

Ber: Yeah!

Jill Riley: So tell me about that, because you're going on tour with a band that I don't know. So do tell us.

Jill Riley: Well, let me put you on.

Jill Riley: OK, please.

Ber: They are amazing. The band's name is Tors. They're three brothers out of the U.K., and I've known them since we were doing writing sessions together over Zoom in 2020, so they've just become really great friends, and this is their first North American tour. So I'm really excited I get to go and join them for that. I think it'll be really fun. Try some new songs out, and get back into the swing of doing live things across the country on the road. I think it'll be really cool.

Jill Riley: Very good. Well, before the end of the Minnesota State Fair, you've got two shows coming up at the Bandshell. 

Ber: Yes.

Jill Riley: The Jill Riley Bandshell. Those naming rights haven't been secured yet. We're working on it.

Ber: The Jill Riley Bandshell!

Jill Riley: I mean, I don't know. I don't think we can vote. I don't know. We'll see if I can make the deal. But you've got two shows at the Bandshell, Sunday and Monday. You excited? What are you bringing?

Ber: I'm so excited. I've got my full band with me for these. Landon's gonna come play drums, the multi-talented Landon, everyone. Oh, man, we're gonna do some songs from my upcoming album, which will be really crazy to try those out. And I didn't grow up coming to the fair, but the last four years, as I've been living here, I've fallen in love with it. So I think this show, is going to be so special. I just can't wait.

Jill Riley: What's your go-to when you come to the Minnesota State Fair?

Ber: Well, I'm a pickle girl, so anything pickle related. Someone said "pickle pizza" earlier, and I'm on my way there right now.

Jill Riley: I'm talking with Ber on The Current, live from the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair.

Ber: Yes! Public radio!

Songs Performed

“Better Man”
”Oh, To Be Cool”

Credits

Guest – Ber
Host – Jill Riley
Producers – Nilufer Arsala, Derrick Stevens
Digital Producer – Luke Taylor

External Link

Ber – official site