Many children will be returning to school today in Minnesota. Let's get them started off on the right track with a Coffee Break. What 'back to school' songs do you want to hear?

Last night, a caravan of special guests — including Jenny Lewis and Conor Oberst — performed surprise sets at the Clown Lounge (in the basement of St. Paul’s Turf Club). Frankie Lee & Friends headlined the literally underground show; the bill’s “& Friends” turned out to include Lewis, the Watson Twins, Oberst, Har Mar Superstar, the Cactus Blossoms, the Pines, and more. Last…

Asteroid 17473, which orbits the sun in the belt between Mars and Jupiter, has been named for Freddie Mercury on what would have been the late Queen frontman’s 70th birthday. “It’s just a dot of light,” said bandmate Brian May, “but it’s a very special dot of light and maybe one day we’ll get there.” (Rolling Stone) Remembering two…

Several months ago, I wondered, what would it be like to go with a local musician to a touring artist’s show? In music journalism, we spend a lot of time talking about influences. But could we take that conversation one step further, opening the door to an experience that refreshes or sustains inspiration? Cut to last…

Wilco have become as unpredictable as Neil Young; you never know what's next musically. On their latest album, 'Schmilco', Wilco bring a spare, almost 'unplugged' set of songs. Wilco have been a steady unit for more than a decade, and they are firing on all cylinders.

This week’s Local Show features an interview and performance from André Cymone. Before we dive in Sunday at 6 p.m., here are a few key facts to get you properly acquainted with the artist, who grew up contributing to the Minneapolis Sound.  1. As a young musician in the midst of the growing Minneapolis Sound,…

Saturday night at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand proved to be a testimony to fervent rock and roll. The Current’s Music-on-a-Stick this year featured headliner Weezer, with supporting acts the Struts and Fury Things. They all performed with a manic level of energy, while each showcased their own unique brand of unhinged, enthusiastic rock and…

I was eight years old when Purple Rain came out, and it didn’t seem strange to me that Prince was from Minnesota. Everyone important, it seemed, was from Minnesota. Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. Future president (or so we thought) Walter Mondale. Herb Brooks. Why wouldn’t Prince’s purple house be in Chanhassen? Of course, I later learned, it was highly unusual for…

22, A Million is an album that did not come easy for Justin Vernon, the self-described “maker” of the latest work from Bon Iver. When the relentless promotion, touring, and general hoopla surrounding the band’s last album, 2011’s Grammy-winning Bon Iver, Bon Iver, finally died down, Vernon found himself burnt out and paralyzed by anxieties.…

Many aspects of Bon Iver’s new album 22, A Million were discussed in detail at a press conference in downtown Eau Claire on Friday night, but one thing that kept coming up again and again was how many different artists inspired Justin Vernon during the creation of this record. Evidence of those inspirations can literally…