What do Bob Dylan and flatulence have in common? In their research paper “Nitric Oxide and inflammation: The answer is blowing in the wind,” two Swedish scientists made the comical connection. For the last 17 years, Jon Lundberg and Eddie Weitzberg, professors at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, have been sneaking Dylan lyrics into their…

Today sees the U.S. release of Prince’s new albums ART OFFICIAL AGE and, with his band 3RDEYEGIRL, PLECTRUMELECTRUM. Even for an artist who’s put out plenty of albums in his three-and-a-half decade career, these releases stand out. They cap over two years of increasingly public activity that have included a whirlwind U.K. tour; a barnburning set at…

You weren’t surprised to see Justin Timberlake rocking an iPad in the “Suit & Tie” video—but what if Bruce Springsteen shows up chugging a Smirnoff Ice in the “Glory Days” video? Universal Music Group is using new technology that allows them to retroactively place products in existing videos. The first musician to “participate” will be Avicii, who will…

As European fans discovered when Prince’s two new albums were released there earlier today, a song on PLECTRUMELECTRUM features Minneapolis’s own Lizzo and Sophia Eris. PLECTRUMELECTRUM is Prince’s new album with his band 3RDEYEGIRL; the other album, ART OFFICIAL AGE, is credited to Prince alone. On “BOYTROUBLE,” a girl-power romp, first Sophia Eris and then Lizzo contribute spirited raps over…

It’s National Coffee Day. What are your favorite coffee-themed songs by local artists? Here are a few nominations. The Jayhawks, “Five Cups of Coffee” The Andrews Sisters, “Proper Cup of Coffee” A Firm Handshake (featuring Zach Sobiech), “Coffee Cup” Pert Near Sandstone, “20 Cups of Coffee” Charlie Parr, “Coffee’s Gone Cold” Prince, “Starfish and Coffee”…

When U2‘s new album Songs of Innocence was released for free to half a billion iTunes users, it came with temporary cover art. The album’s official cover has now been revealed; it features drummer Larry Mullen Jr. embracing the midsection of his 18-year-old son. Bono says the cover represents the idea that “holding on to your own innocence is a lot harder than…

Prince has always had a thing for numbers. To create his first recorded output in four years, Prince tapped a trio of musicians he found through social media to form his new band 3RDEYEGIRL. And after nearly two years of marathon jam sessions, rehearsals, and rounds of ping pong with his new bandmates and new producer, Prince ended up with not one, but…

This Saturday, Sept. 27, is the inaugural Cassette Store Day. It’s inspired many to think back on their many audiocassette memories. Here are ten of mine. The “Scream’r” blank cassettes. Each had a nose printed on it so that the two spools looked like eyes, which I thought was awesome. My first two pre-recorded cassettes,…

Buckle up, bbs. Fall is upon us and so is an avalanche of new releases from Minnesota artists of all genres, starting this weekend with big release shows from Toki Wright and Big Cats (who party tonight at Icehouse) and Luke Zimmerman (who releases his new one with Fathom Lane at the same venue tomorrow). As…

Local bands Carroll, Enemy Planes, and the Ocean Blue will play at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York in October. They will be joined by Strange Names, a recently-local group now based in NYC. Now in its 34th year, the CMJ Music Marathon is the world’s largest festival for emerging music. About 120,000 musicians,…