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Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Rising Stars

by Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala

January 20, 2026

Jesse Welles performing at Farm Aid 40 on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Jesse Welles performing at Farm Aid 40 on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Steven Cohen for MPR

The promise of a new year also brings the promise of new art and the artists who make it. Luckily, January is Rising Star month!

The special month encourages new artists to come to the front and showcase their work. Rising Stars show promise — even if they haven’t yet hit the mainstream. Let’s create a playlist of future superstars who are just getting started.

So, for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs from new artists would you like to hear?


Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Geese- Cobra
Ratboys- Anywhere
Boy Golden- Cowboy Dreams feat.Cat Clyde
Kashus Culpepper- After Me?
Horsegirl- Frontrunner
The Belair Lip Bombs- Hey You
S.G. Goodman- Fire Sign