Coffee BreakCoffee Break: Post-PunkJesse Wiza • Feb 3, 2020Honoring the passing of Gang of Four's guitarist Andy Gill, today's theme is post-punk songs, illustrating the band's lasting influence. For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what post-punk songs do you want to hear?
Local Current BlogNorman Beavers of Lakeside, now a Minnesotan, on his ‘Fantastic Voyage’Iman Jafri • Feb 3, 2020Norman Beavers is the keyboard player for funk institution Lakeside. He’s been in that band since the late 1960s. Lakeside are still going strong, playing shows throughout the year. When Beavers isn’t on the road with Lakeside, he’s right here in the Twin Cities, living in St. Paul. Purple Current host Sean McPherson recently got…
ReviewsAlbum of the Week: Nada Surf, 'Never Not Together'David Safar • Feb 3, 2020'Never Not Together' has all the hallmarks of the genre Nada Surf helped define but with a refined touch that comes from life experience and humility.
News and InterviewsAndy Gill, Gang of Four guitarist, dead at 64Luke Taylor • Feb 2, 2020A founding member of the band and its only constant member since 1979, Gill's influence with Gang of Four was far reaching. Artists including Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Bono from U2, and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers all have cited Gang of Four as a vital influence.
Coffee BreakCoffee Break: SunshineJesse Wiza • Jan 31, 2020It's been cloudy 72 percent of the time this month. The University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus Observatory has recorded the lowest amount of solar radiation for a January since solar radiation records began in 1963. We need some sun in the Twin Cities so today's Coffee Break theme is sunshine!
DuluthFriday Five: MaLLy, Social Animals, and more new Minnesota music videosEmma Manley • Jan 31, 2020To submit music videos for consideration — whether they’re your own, or just new Minnesota music videos you think are awesome — e-mail fridayfive@mpr.org. MaLLy feat. Aby Wolf – “FLYING” MaLLy joins forces with frequent Dessa collaborator Aby Wolf, and her glimmering vocals sound right at home interspersed with MaLLy’s verses. It comes from his…
News and InterviewsInterview with Mandolin OrangeMike Pengra • Jan 30, 2020In town for a show at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Mandolin Orange's Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz visited The Current for a conversation with Mike Pengra about what proved to be a meteoric year for the band, some of their side projects, the music of Bob Dylan, and what might be next for the Chapel Hill, N.C., outfit.
The Current Guitar CollectionGuitar Collection: G. Love, Gretsch Rancher FalconLuke Taylor • Jan 30, 2020When G. Love visited The Current studio for a solo session hosted by Mac Wilson, we were struck by his Gretsch guitars with their shimmering white finish. We got a chance to talk to G. Love about those guitars and more.
Coffee BreakCoffee Break: Smoochin'Jesse Wiza • Jan 30, 2020Today in 1973, Kiss played their first concert, performing at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York. What's your favorite song that mentions kissing?
Local Current BlogFirst Avenue’s Best New Bands: Nur-DColleen Cowie • Jan 30, 2020This year’s Best New Bands showcase took place this past Saturday at First Avenue. Writer Colleen Cowie and photographer Helen Teague attended to check out each of the seven acts: Green/Blue, Under Violet, Loki’s Folly, FruitPunchLoverBoy, Mae Simpson Music, Muun Bato, and Nur-D. Matt Allen began rapping in 2018, but he’s already performed at Soundset,…