It’s hard to set expectations much higher than David Byrne did in announcing his American Utopia Tour, promising his most ambitious stage show since Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense performances. Immortalized in the classic 1984 concert film, the Stop Making Sense shows reached the pinnacle of what artfully executed rock concerts can achieve, all the more impressive because…

Nazeem & Spencer Joles – “Rock Lee” Nazeem & Spencer Joles have made a tradition out of setting music videos at Twin Cities hotspots. This time, Cup Foods (on 38th & Chicago) and the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood get the honor. Nate P. is the perfect videographer to accompany them around town, adding wild visual effects to the cartoon-honoring…

David Byrne talks with Brian Oake and Jill Riley about his creative process, love of biking, and upcoming Minneapolis shows.

For over two decades, Northeast Minneapolis has come alive every spring as local artists open up their studios for the annual Art-A-Whirl festival. Run by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA), what started as a small festival has now turned into the largest open studio tour in the country and will showcase over 650 artists…

Mary Lucia is absolutely happy with everything that's appeared in the 893 Essential Songs list so far, but she throws it over to you: Has there been a song that's totally surprised you?

In a ceremony streamed live from Nashville, Tenn., the nominees for the 2018 Americana Music Association's Honors and Awards were announced. Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, I'm With Her, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, and Anderson East were among the nominees across six categories. See a complete list of the nominees and watch Bill DeVille's video summary.

Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Becky Kapell says her new album ' was inspired by David Duchovny and Dolly Parton.' Ahead of the album's release show on Friday, May 18, Kapell, along with guitarist and producer Paul Bergen, joined Mike Pengra in the Radio Heartland studio to spin a few tracks and to talk about the new album.

You know, I like musicians who disappear into their performance, motionless except for a few sways behind a mic stand. I even appreciate the David Archuleta, “close your eyes the whole way through” approach. But I love an act with a good stage presence. Last night at the Palace, I was floored when Haim and…

Okay, let’s take this one step at a time. There’s going to be a show at which Prince classics will be performed by a variety of vocalists backed by a symphony orchestra. Yes, it’s approved by the Prince estate. Prince superfan Questlove is involved: he “has helped curate the music and arrangements,” though he’s not…

Whether you’re lost in a foreign country or waiting for test results, being with someone you love can slow your heartbeat. As I saw when P.O.S and his mom visited The Current, this also applies to interviews. I walk into the lobby and find Grace first, sitting with her hands folded. Her shoulders loosen as soon…