ReviewsAlbum of the Week: Pearl Jam, 'Gigaton' Apr 13, 2020The album is a blend of their ever-urgent rock songs, alongside richly emotional, powerful ballads that sometimes verge on being outright power ballads.
Local Current BlogFriday Five: John Mark Nelson, Longshot and Lazerbeak, and more new Minnesota music videosMaddie Schwappach • Apr 10, 2020If you have a music video you’d like to be considered for an upcoming feature, send it my way at fridayfive@mpr.org! John Mark Nelson & The Quarantine Chorale – “You Are The One” The silver linings in the state of the world today have so quickly revealed themselves to be our communities and the art…
Local Current BlogHar Mar Superstar’s Coloring Books for a Cause announce second volume, to benefit Palmer’s and Grumpy’s NE staffCaleb Brennan • Apr 10, 2020In an effort to help support the local music scene, Minneapolis music staple Har Mar Superstar has teamed up with a crew of artists to produce two coloring books. The sales from these family-oriented novelties will go directly to support the staff at Palmer’s, Grumpy’s NE, and First Avenue; all of whom have been unemployed…
Local Current BlogCraig Minowa of Cloud Cult: ‘Even if you shut down the world outside, you’re still there’Caleb Brennan • Apr 9, 2020Jill Riley continues to check-in with musicians on The Current’s Morning Show. She recently caught up with Craig Minowa of Cloud Cult to talk about his use of Patreon to keep the band afloat, living in the moment, and homeschooling your kids. How’s Cloud Cult? How are things going for you guys right now? Well,…
Coffee BreakCoffee Break: Birth of Twin Cities punkAnna Weggel • Apr 9, 2020April is Minnesota Music Month and today, we're shining a light on Husker Du. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear from bands there were part of the birth of the Twin Cities punk/indie scene?
Local Current BlogJohn Munson: ‘Love one another. That is the best thing for this moment.’Sylvia Jennings • Apr 9, 2020To keep busy during quarantine, Morning Show host Jill Riley has been spending lots of time on the phone with various musician friends. She had a chance to connect with John Munson — of Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare — last Friday to chat about how to cope during this crisis, as well as how to…
WatchListen to Looch: TPT's First Avenue documentaryMary Lucia • Apr 8, 2020As the iconic Minneapolis music venue First Avenue celebrates its 50th anniversary, Mary Lucia recommends a documentary about it from Twin Cities PBS that you can stream right now. 'It's so informative,' Mary says, 'because you learn so much about the very beginning of it, and from all the original players.'
Local Current BlogSam Roberts: ‘This is a time when people need music, and therefore, musicians, more than ever’Sylvia Jennings • Apr 8, 2020As a part of her “Phone a Friend” series, Morning Show host Jill Riley made her first call to Canada to check in with Montreal-based singer-songwriter Sam Roberts. Roberts discussed his response to the global pandemic both as a musician and as a parent, ranging from how one should explain what’s going on to children,…
Local Current BlogRoy Freid: ‘First Ave is going to continue on’Sylvia Jennings • Apr 8, 2020Morning Show host Jill Riley has being phoning many friends across the music world locally, nationally, and internationally. With the 50th anniversary of First Avenue landing while the venue is closed due to the global health crisis, it seemed essential to check in with longtime First Ave employee Roy Freid, who is one of the…
Coffee BreakCoffee Break: John Prine covers Apr 8, 2020John Prine has passed away at age 73 from complications related to COVID0-19. For his birthday last October we dove into a bunch of John Prine covers for the Coffee Break, so let's revisit more today. For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what John Prine covers do you want to hear?
