Coffee BreakCoffee Break: UndergroundAnna Weggel • Sep 21, 2018Thanks to Loran for writing in with today's theme idea. For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that mention going to a location under the surface?
Local Current BlogReview and photos: Giorgio Moroder, 78-year-old father of disco, basks in the love at First AvenueStaff • Sep 21, 2018Last night, legendary songwriter-producer Giorgio Moroder made his Minnesota debut with a DJ set at First Avenue. After a few humble words of tribute to Prince, Moroder started spinning the hits. For perspectives from gen X (Jay) and gen Y (Cecilia), two of our staffers saw the show together and shared their thoughts afterward. Cecilia…
Local Current BlogReview: ‘4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince’ is a fascinating and tasteful tributeHailey Colwell • Sep 21, 2018If you had a band and a full symphony orchestra to work with, which instrument would you choose to stand in for Prince’s voice? Does your brain reach for a guitar? A saxophone? Or would you rather leave the singing to your favorite recording? New Yorkers might have been asking themselves that last night as…
Local Current BlogFriday Five: astralblak, Bella Yaga, and more new Minnesota music videosCecilia Johnson • Sep 21, 2018astralblak – Wanna Be Saved MMYYKK, Greg Grease, Proper T, Just Nine, and ∆RT P∆RTÉ reemerge as astralblak on upcoming album Seeds. This video for single “Wanna Be Saved” will steer you right toward that title. Meanwhile, the band says: We all need each other. The strong need the weak. The young need the old. As…
News and InterviewsMorris Hayes on 'Planet Earth'Sean McPherson • Sep 21, 2018Morris Hayes has it all: candor, a sense of humor, and musical chops that earned him the title of keyboardist, then musical director in Prince's band. He sat down with Purple Current host Sean McPherson for a marathon interview about Prince albums from 1995-2010, plus miscellaneous other stories he remembered as they went. Due to overwhelming demand, we're publishing the full interview album by album.
Coffee BreakCoffee Break: RainAnna Weggel • Sep 20, 2018It's been raining all week and the rain doesn't look like it's going to let up for another day or two, so for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what rain songs do you want to hear?
ReviewsAlbum of the Week: Prince, 'Piano & A Microphone 1983'Jim McGuinn • Sep 20, 2018In 1983 he was on the precipice of his greatest success, but he's still our Prince, singing and playing in his home studio in Chanhassen, into a cassette, for himself. And now, for all of us.
News and InterviewsJessica Hopper on 'Night Moves,' Danez Smith, and being a 'geriatric' soulCecilia Johnson • Sep 20, 2018Jessica Hopper just released Night Moves, a love letter to friends, bikes, and Chicago night air. In advance of her Sept. 23 event at Milkweed Books in Minneapolis, she shared a conversation with The Current's Cecilia Johnson.
News and InterviewsMorris Hayes on '3121'Sean McPherson • Sep 20, 2018Morris Hayes has it all: candor, a sense of humor, and musical chops that earned him the title of keyboardist, then musical director in Prince's band. He sat down with Purple Current host Sean McPherson for a marathon interview about Prince albums from 1995-2010, plus miscellaneous other stories he remembered as they went. Due to overwhelming demand, we're publishing the full interview album by album.
News and InterviewsRemembering Charles Bradley: I miss the guy like crazyDerrick Stevens • Sep 19, 2018Charles Bradley, aka 'the Screaming Eagle of Soul,' passed away in September 2017. One year on, The Current's Production Manager, Derrick Stevens, reflects on the life and music of the late soul singer and remembers the friendship he and Bradley shared.