Is it just me, or has the pandemic made time fly faster than usual? Like, the summer always buzzes by, but I swear July was just yesterday. Maybe, it’s just me. With the sun still shining in the Cities for the early days of fall, it’s a good time to review some new and new-to-me…

Pamela Espeland, a writer and editor who was one of the busiest and most passionate journalists covering the Minnesota arts scene, died on Sunday evening after an apparent stroke, according to a statement her family shared this afternoon on Facebook. “Many of you know her as a voice for the Twin Cities arts community,” they…

Today is World Tourism Day. For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs about other countries/places do you want to hear?

It's been said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture ... but what about singing about movies? Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine have paired up for a collaborative project that does just that. 'A Beginner's Mind' is our Album of the Week.

I’ve often heard artists ask audiences to quiet down and pay attention, but Saturday night at the Fine Line might have been the first time I’ve heard an artist observe that an audience wasn’t distracted enough. “You guys are so polite and quiet but also f—ing terrifying,” said Savannah Conley with a wry smile as…

Today is the 30th anniversary of the release of Nirvana's "Nevermind." For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what grunge bands do you want to hear?

In a biweekly series of features, we’re inviting Minnesota artists to introduce themselves to our audience. Today: Mike Kota, a Minneapolis musician who’s emerging as a solo artist; her band Good Luck Finding Iris is on hiatus. My name is Mike Kota. My start in music was probably when I was young; my parents put me…

The Current digital team's weekly roundup of news, music we like, and concerts.

Last night was the 20th annual Americana Music Honors & Awards ceremony. For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, which honorees and winners do you really want to hear?

Jackie Kay's classic biography of Bessie Smith has received a welcome reissue. As the author notes in a new introduction, 'Bessie Smith is the perfect antidote to these times.'