As the Covid-19 virus continues to spread worldwide, forcing countless musicians and support staff out of work, members of the music community are stepping up to help those in need. Jill Riley got on the phone with Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard to discuss the Facebook Live events he’s been hosting daily to…

Though it doesn't feel like it in Minnesota today, it's officially the first day of Spring. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear for Spring?

Lori Barbero is a Minnesota music legend, drummer for Babes in Toyland and an artist who could fill an encyclopedia with her local knowledge. Like many musicians, she also works in the service industry; in her case, as a bartender. That means she’s doubly affected by restaurants, bars, and music venues closing to slow the…

Mary Lucia notes how we're all stuck at home. That's a reason to watch a great documentary, and this recommendation is from 'PBS American Masters' and it's called 'Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool.' Whether or not you know a lot about jazz, perhaps you'll be struck, like Mary Lucia was, by some of the similarities between Miles Davis and another massively influential artist.

Since we can't go downtown these days, let's take a musical trip downtown this morning. What songs do you want to hear for today's 9:30 Coffee Break that mention downtown?

Even Dave Pirner doesn't know what some of his lyrics mean, or even - in one case - exactly what they are. Still, 'Loud Fast Words' collects the Soul Asylum songbook for posterity. Pirner seems happy to let posterity make what it will of his 'Loud Fast Words.'

In the midst of the spread of COVID-19, virtually all music venues have postponed shows for weeks. One Minnesota musician is now navigating how to proceed after showing possible symptoms. On March 16th, jeremy messersmith shared on Twitter that he’s been tested for coronavirus, posting a video of the nasopharyngeal swab test.  This morning, March…

Twice a year since early 2018 Eau Claire’s Oxbow Hotel has been re-imagining what an evening of music with friends and family can look like. The music industry is seeing new niche festivals pop up every other day, but the “Lock-Inn” stands out as a refreshing and intimate experiment in what a live concert can…

Minnesota has temporarily closed its bars, restaurants and other venues that serve dine-in guests in the name of social distancing and stopping the spread of germs, so tonight's celebrations for St. Patrick's Day will be likely...at home and low key. But that doesn't mean we can't have a musical celebration this morning. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear from Irish musicians?

After almost 20 years leading the Duluth-based bluegrass rock band Trampled by Turtles, singer and guitarist Dave Simonett just released what could be -- depending on how you look at it -- his first or his third solo album. Simonett's latest collection 'Red Tail' is much lighter and more open to interpretation than two he issued as Dead Man Winter.