The Hexagon Bar, a Minneapolis music and nightlife landmark since 1934, erupted in flames overnight as Minneapolis and St. Paul were roiled by ongoing unrest in the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody. Social media posts this morning show that the venue became engulfed in flames between 2:00 and 3:00 a.m.,…

The Minnesota music community is reeling from the death of George Floyd. Around 8 p.m. on Monday, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for several minutes at 38th and Chicago in South Minneapolis (for more on this, go to MPR News). In Minneapolis, Floyd was best known for working security at Conga…

“I don’t celebrate birthdays, so that stops me from counting days, which stops me from counting time,” said Prince in an interview with Dutch TV host Ivo Niehe in 1999. Prince was born in Minneapolis on June 7, 1958 and although the icon didn’t always celebrate the occasion, fans have largely embraced the date as…

If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, send it my way at fridayfive [at] mpr.org! Graveyard Club – “Dreamland” Graveyard Club’s nostalgic 80s synth-pop influenced jams are as cinematic as ever in their video for “Dreamland.” Here, a man is haunted by memories of an ex-lover, shown…

When Minnesota’s stay-at-home-order went into effect, Stephanie Jo Murck decided to set up her laptop and phone to stream a solo show from her bedroom. Murck, who fronts the band experimental pop band Sass, was trying to make up for the last concert of her residency at Dusty’s being called off. Since she was laid…

If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, send it my way at fridayfive [at] mpr.org! #ARTBYMIXIE x Sota Smoov – “#FreeThemAll” Last June, local artist Sota Smoov was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after living in the United States for more than three decades. In…

With the passing of rock n’ roll legend Little Richard, Jill Riley checked in with Minnesota entertainment icon Fancy Ray McCloney, who got his start in show business as a Little Richard impersonator. They chatted about the cultural impact of Little Richard, Ray’s first time meeting his hero in person, and how Prince’s aesthetic was…

As a part of her Phone a Friend series, Jill Riley hopped on the phone recently to chat with Ben Lovett, who handles vocals, keys, piano, and accordion in Mumford & Sons. The two chatted about how the band are staying connected during this period of social distancing, Lovett’s venture into owning music venues, and…

Killers frontman Brandon Flowers and drummer Ronnie Vannucci gave some exciting background about the band’s newest record, Imploding the Mirage, when they recently did a quick phone interview with Mac Wilson. Mac Wilson: So, you’ve been busy. You’ve got an Instagram live concert that’s happening later this afternoon. Is this a first for a full-blown…

In honor of Minnesota’s 162nd birthday, we’re breaking down the 77 Minnesotans that have stars on First Avenue’s wall. Much like the music scene they all came from, these artists represent a variety of genres and subcultures. Some have international fame, others are local gems. In total, 18% of the stars are Minnesota locals. American…