As Minnesota prepared to shelter in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Morning Show host Jill Riley caught up with Dessa. Jill Riley: Calling in from, well, her apartment in Minneapolis, I’ve got Dessa on the line. Dessa, how are you doing? How are you feeling? Dessa: Hey, good morning Jill. I’m…

As the Twin Cities, along with much of the rest of the world, hunker down at home to slow the spread of COVID-19, photographer Lucy Hawthorne visited several local music venues to document closed doors, empty streets…and signs of hope.

Morning Show host, Jill Riley, has been spending a lot of time chatting on the phone with various musicians to see how they are holding up in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Riley had a chance to talk with Colin Meloy of the Decemberists about how he is coping, performing virtually via social media,…

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James is one of the many musicians who, due to the spread of COVID-19, are now contemplating how to proceed personally in their careers, as well as how to proceed as industry. James checked in with Morning Show host Jill Riley to talk about the temporary loss of live shows,…

Throughout the last few weeks, the spread of the coronavirus has disrupted many lives, and has caused anxiety in just about everyone. Morning Show host Jill Riley checked in with Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs over the phone. Garbus discussed how she’s been processing her emotions through staying on a routine, practicing meditation, and being present…

If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, send it my way at fridayfive@mpr.org! Dave Simonett: “By the Light of the Moon” Trampled by Turtles frontman Dave Simonett released his debut album under his own name, Red Tail, earlier this month. The serene tenderness of his song “By…

Sports Team are a six-piece post-punk band from London. Originally scheduled to play at The Current + eventbrite Music Day Party at SXSW, their plans were cancelled, similarly to those of many musicians all over the world. The band travelled out of London to a city in rural England to write and record new music…

With the music industry being interrupted in a big way, musicians are turning to the internet as a way to adapt. Adam Weiner, frontman of Philadelphia-based rock band Low Cut Connie is one of many musicians who are live streaming performances from their homes. Weiner talked with Morning Show host Jill Riley about how musicians…

Ben Jaffe is the creative director for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band based in New Orleans; he also plays tuba and double bass in the band. On Monday, Morning Show host Jill Riley checked in over the phone with Jaffe after Preservation Hall temporarily closed its doors due to the spread of COVID-19, the first…

Last Friday, Minneapolis rock star Har Mar Superstar checked in with Jill Riley on The Current’s Morning Show to discuss the rippling effects of the coronavirus pandemic, how you can help musicians stay afloat, and his new Minnesota music coloring book — now available for order, with proceeds going to support the artists and the…