On Friday, May 11, Mason Jennings releases his new album, 'Songs From When We Met,' which was recorded in the woods near Eau Claire, Wis. Jennings, who describes it as an album about love and healing, stopped by The Current to talk to Brian Oake and Jill Riley about what inspired this output of new music.

Over the weekend, Donald Glover, under his stage name Childish Gambino, released a new thought-provoking song and video titled "This Is America". The video is full of hidden imagery and references to current and historical events. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that have had memorable, notable or controversial music videos?

Backstage before their recent sold-out show at First Avenue, I sat down with most of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. The North Carolinians are on the come-up in the national alternative music scene after a successful festival season during summer 2017. The band comprise Jess Haney, drums; Sam Melo, vocals and keys; Derrick “Bozzy” Keller, vocals and…

Today in 1966, The Mamas and the Papas started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Monday Monday." So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that mention Monday?

The West Indies archipelago of Turks and Caicos doesn’t have much in common with Chanhassen, Minnesota — but Prince made sure that visitors to his Caribbean retreat knew they were on his turf. The five-acre estate features a winding purple driveway, which is understandably highlighted in photos advertising the property’s upcoming auction. “This estate is…

Now that this season’s American Idol contestant pool has been narrowed down to just seven, it was time to give the aspiring star performers a real challenge: performing hits from Prince’s catalog. Performers have to be at their absolute best if they’re going to attempt to channel Prince’s musicality and stage presence. Two contestants mixed…

This spring, Janelle Monáe seems to be taking over the world with her acclaimed new album Dirty Computer and an upcoming tour that will stop at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on July 3. What most Minnesotans don’t know is that the show will be a sort of homecoming for the multitalented star, who lived in…

How does one create a sound like Roma di Luna’s? I know you can’t set out to make music so singular: with tinges of chamber pop, indie rock, and even Johnny Cash. Plus enough reverb to make aliens feel terrestrial. So I suppose the only answer is evolution. Evolve they have. From the farmer’s market…

The 2018 Kentucky Derby - a horse race that is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky - is taking place tomorrow. Our weekend pals Bill DeVille and Mac Wilson will be diving deep into the Kentucky Derby for this weekend's Honey Do list, but we want to do our own take on things. For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear where the title could be a competing horse's name?

“Before you even ask a question,” said Curtiss A, leaning forward to address my iPhone, “I’ll just make a statement that I have not prepared.” The singer-songwriter born Curt Almsted thought I had come to his St. Paul home to ask him about aliens, which was a reasonable assumption. He has a UFO story he’s…