Props to Ross Raihala at the Pioneer Press for spotting this news item: bassist David Ellefson, a founding member of Megadeth, is going to start selling coffee and exhibiting his memorabilia in his home town of Jackson, Minnesota. The town of 3,299 is two-and-a-half hours southwest of the Twin Cities. The “Museum of Deth” will…

2017 marks the 25th (!) anniversary of Cameron Crowe’s Singles, the movie that was to grunge what Saturday Night Fever was to disco. Details are emerging about a reissue of the film’s classic soundtrack — and it looks like it will include four previously unreleased tracks by Paul Westerberg. Update 1/27: Details for this release have been confirmed. See below. Westerberg…

On March 10, Kill Rock Stars is releasing a deluxe edition of Elliott Smith’s 1997 album Either/Or. One of the bonus tracks will be a previously unheard demo version of the song “I Figured You Out,” a song Smith gave to Mary Lou Lord and occasionally performed himself in concert. Smith’s demo version is now online. (NPR) Obamas…

It's a new year and gyms everywhere are full of bright-eyed, cookie-filled folks ready to follow their resolution of getting and staying in shape. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, let's make a workout mix. What songs do you want to hear that you can rock your body to?

A new book chronicles the short but eventful history of the New Barbarians, a Rolling Stones spinoff project that toured America in 1979.

Semisonic have announced that they regretfully have to postpone their shows at the Turf Club and First Avenue, due to an accidental injury sustained by drummer Jacob Slichter. Update 1/6: First Avenue and Semisonic have announced rescheduled dates for these performances. The Jan. 5 show at the Turf Club has been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 14. The…

'Last night's insomnia had me pondering some big unanswered questions,' writes Mary Lucia. Among the questions keeping her up: What, exactly, is in Queen Elizabeth's purse? Mary shares her thoughts on its contents. 'Admittedly I don't have a vast knowledge of the history of the monarchy,' Mary writes. 'Helen Mirren's portrayal of the Queen and the Sex Pistols' feelings about her are about as deep as I go.'

The Minnesota Historical Society has acquired a new artifact that documents a pivotal moment in Prince’s career: The year he signed his record deal with Warner Bros. and entered into a contract he would wrestle with for much of his career. Back in 1977, Prince Rogers Nelson was a rising star in the North Minneapolis…

We've lost so many talented and iconic musicians in 2016 that it's time to spend not one, but two Coffee Breaks listening to their music. So for today's Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear from musicians that passed away in 2016? This is a continuation from Friday's Coffee Break.

The Lemon Twigs debut album leans away from the synth-driven soft rock that's trendy with their peers and instead celebrates the most familiar riffs and rhythms of bands like Wings, Big Star and Supertramp. 'Do Hollywood' is our Album of the Week.