Let’s say you know in your heart exactly what you want to do — you always have. The thing you want to do is play the drums, a passion which has been on your mind as long as you remember because you grew up hearing a story from your grandfather about how, when you were…

Following the release of their new album, The Juice, G. Love & Special Sauce set out on a tour…which has since, obviously, been cancelled. Morning Show host Jill Riley had a chance to check in with G. Love, who has been staying busy despite the major disruption in the music industry due to this global pandemic.…

Morning Show host Jill Riley has been hopping on the phone every morning to touch base with various musicians locally, nationally, and now globally, about their thoughts in the midst of current events. She got a chance to connect with Bob Geldof, frontman of the Boomtown Rats and political activist known for organizing Live Aid.…

On March 31, International Transgender Day of Visibility is a reminder to honor and support trans people around the world — a diverse community that encompasses all ages, races, and faith backgrounds.  Below is a list of trans artists to check out, if you haven’t already. As rapper Quay Dash notes, “being pigeon-holed as just…

The coronavirus-related shutdown of local nightlife — and day life — will be delivering bad news for a while. We got some on Thursday, when Ginger Hop and Honey, a pair of bars in Northeast Minneapolis that have served up some of the Twin Cities’ most adventurous bookings, particularly of DJs, announced they were shutting…

Jill Riley continues to check in with musicians across the country as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to put a freeze on the music industry. Last week she caught up with Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers to talk about politics, solidarity, and armageddon. Jill Riley: Patterson, how are you doing? Hey, doing good. Hangin’ in there.…

This week, Jill Riley connected with Caitlyn Smith as we continued to reach out to musicians sheltering at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Jill Riley: We feel a special bond with Caitlyn Smith as she grew up just south of the Twin Cities in Cannon Falls. If you’re not familiar with Cannon Falls, that is…

On Wednesday, March 25, Gov. Tim Walz called Minnesotans to “stay at home” to slow the spread of COVID-19. The executive order, which began on Friday night, requires us all to stay indoors, except to access essential needs and services. Although we are physically distant from one another, Minnesota’s musicians are finding creative ways to…

Jill Riley continues to check in with musicians across the country on The Morning Show. She caught up with Joey Burns of Calexico to talk about the music he’s making with his daughters during social distancing, his tour with Iron and Wine, and writing a cathartic letter to Elton John on Instagram. Jill Riley: So…

On The Current’s Morning Show, Jill Riley got in touch with Minnesota rock auteur and musical wellness advocate Mark Mallman to talk about the psychological and physiological benefits of listening to happy music. Jill Riley: We thought since we’re going to get into the Coffee Break and try to kick off a week with some…