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…

In honor of Stevie Wonder's 70th birthday, we're revisiting 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered.' Mark Ribowsky's story of 'The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder' was published ten years ago, to mark the icon's 60th.

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…

Car Seat Headrest always leave us with a deep well of music that feels richer and longer than its stated run time, and will give audiences something new and unique every time they come back to the record.

While the music industry is shut down, and the concept of a live show seems very far away, Sylvan Esso have put out a timely release of their new live record and live concert film: WITH gives fans an opportunity to revisit the live music experience. The Current’s Morning Show host Jill Riley had a…

Around this time each year, local music enthusiasts typically gather in Winona, Minnesota to attend the Midwest Music Fest. This year, due to social distancing rules, Mid West Music Fest is going virtual, and is now Midwest Music Fest at home. The event will be streamed from the Midwest Music Fest Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo,…

If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, send it my way: fridayfive [at] mpr.org! Early Eyes – “Clarity” Perched on rooftops and hopping around railroad bridges, Early Eyes’ latest video showcases their effortless magnetism as a band better than ever before. With sticky bass lines and gauzy vocals,…

Prior to the cancellation of her 2020 tour, Sophie Allison, a.k.a. Soccer Mommy, was ready to hit the road and promote her latest record, color theory. To make it up to her fans, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter has been trying to provide performances and content across a variety of digital platforms. The Nashville-based artist has remained…