In this unprecedented public health emergency, concerts of all sizes have been cancelled or postponed around the world. Minnesota musicians are among those connecting with audiences online as artists and fans practice the social distance required to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s a scary time, but as in other tough times, people are turning…

If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, give me a shout at fridayfive@mpr.org! The Bad Man – “Hairdresser From Mars” The Bad Man take to Can Can Wonderland for this song about interplanetary haircuts, their latest single since 2018’s raucous album Laughing with Bad Teeth. They tore up…

There’s a huge amount of uncertainty right now around everything involving the coronavirus pandemic and our responses to it. What activities can go on, and what activities need to be called off? For how long? With large public gatherings and travel, particularly international travel, being discouraged or banned around he world, the global music industry…

As The Current celebrates 15 years on the air and we wrap up our winter member drive (join now!), Minnesota Public Radio’s Michael Popham is asking the hosts who’ve been with us since the beginning about their history at The Current and in radio. Today: Mary Lucia. Michael Popham: Hey, Looch! Where did you grow…

If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, give me a shout at fridayfive@mpr.org! Lady Lark – “Right Kind of Love” Lady Lark brings it with this seriously catchy disco-inspired cut from latest album Permission. With new backing band Purple Funk Metropolis, the album was “written as an antidote…

Tredis Adams, better known as Twin Cities DJ Disco T, knew he wanted to be a DJ since he was in the sixth grade, when he saw Farley Keith DJing at Kenwood High School (now Kenwood Academy) in Chicago. “And I just stood around all night and watched him and how he controlled the crowd,”…

If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, give me a shout at fridayfive@mpr.org! Humbird – “Pharmakon” This is the title track from Humbird’s debut full-length; singer-songwriter Siri Undlin named it after a Greek word/concept that something can be both the poison and the cure. These opposing ideas…

Our winter member drive is highlighting music discovery: we’re asking you to support The Current to help us continue to bring the best new music to you every day of the year. Every weekday at 11 a.m., that means the Song of the Day, an on-air and online feature offering a cool track for you…

Rapper and spoken word artist Desdamona has shared stages with Wyclef Jean, Bahamadia, and Saul Williams. But when she first moved to the Twin Cities in 1995, she couldn’t find anyone to give her the opportunity to perform. “When I tried to get into the hip-hop scene, it was very difficult,” said Desdamona. “There weren’t…

If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, give me a shout at fridayfive@mpr.org! FPA – “Guapdaddy” A standout from her self-produced debut album Yang Chen, FPA’s effortless, quiet-but-commanding vocals get to be the star here. This is one you can get lost in, with soft guitar and a…