ReviewsAlbum of the Week: Atmosphere, 'Fishing Blues'Mark Wheat • Aug 15, 2016'Fishing Blues,' Atmosphere's ninth album in 18 years, features Ant's solid production that provides grounding beats for Slug, who may be more than confessional than ever on some of these tracks.
The Current Music NewsMusic News: Prince’s family hold private memorial service at Paisley ParkStaff • Aug 14, 2016Members of Prince’s family gathered on Saturday afternoon at Paisley Park for a private memorial service, as fans gathered outside. The service followed an informal memorial gathering at the venue shortly after Prince’s April 21 death, and precedes a major official memorial concert on Oct. 13 at U.S. Bank Stadium. (WCCO) New graffiti on a Lake…
Local Current BlogRecap and photos: Eaux Claires’s second day spotlights musical legendsCecilia Johnson • Aug 14, 2016If Eaux Claires day one was all about new music, day two was for the legends. The talent on today’s stages wowed attendees from near and far; from gospel to rock to neo-soul, pros showed the audience how it was done. Like the first day’s, this line-up had variety. Mavis Staples, musical history-maker, dazzled her crowd with…
Local Current BlogRecap and photos: Variety wins the first day of Eaux ClairesCecilia Johnson • Aug 13, 2016It’s been a smooth first day at Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival, the sequel to last year’s premier Eaux Claires (a.k.a. the renaissance of Bon Iver). The lines have been short, the water has been plentiful, and the music has been incredible. All day long, I sampled songs around the festival, picking up pieces of sets here and there before moving along.…
Local Current BlogJustin Vernon unveils new album and a new side to Bon Iver at Eaux Claires festivalAndrea Swensson • Aug 13, 2016For an artist who has achieved a global footprint not just as the man behind Bon Iver but also as the artist responsible for pushing big-name hip-hop acts like Kanye and Chance the Rapper to meld gospel with Auto-Tune, Justin Vernon could have his pick of any collaborator, any studio, any city in the world. But…
Coffee Break9:30 Coffee Break: Prez rockAnna Reed • Aug 12, 2016President Barack Obama just released his summer playlist, which includes jams that could be practically plucked straight from the Current's catalog. So let's all handpick our favorites, for today's 9:30 Coffee Break.
The Current Music NewsMusic News: ‘Little Red Corvette’ inspiration comes forwardStaff • Aug 11, 2016The woman who inspired Prince’s classic song “Little Red Corvette” has come forward to tell her story. Mi-Ling Stone Poole tells City Pages she decided to open up about her relationship with Prince after David “T.C.” Ellis, a rapper who performed with Prince’s New Power Generation, said he’d asked Prince to confirm whether Stone Poole inspired “Little Red Corvette,” and…
Local Current BlogArtist to Watch: Lady MidnightAndrea Swensson • Aug 11, 2016On Saturday, August 20, the Local Show’s Artists to Watch event will feature 10 of my favorite up-and-coming acts in Minnesota performing across two stages at the Cedar Cultural Center. As we gear up for the showcase, you’ll be hearing from the performers in segments on the Local Show and here on the Local Current Blog. I first saw…
Coffee BreakCoffee Break: Going to extremesAnna Reed • Aug 11, 2016Yesterday a man spent three hours scaling the glass facade of Trump Tower seeking "a private audience" with Donald Trump. So for today's Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that feature going to extremes in order to get someone's attention?
Local Current BlogPreview: Eaux Claires 2016Cecilia Johnson • Aug 11, 2016Camping and/or dorm supplies stowed in your car? Directions to Foster Farm pulled up on your phone? Bruce Hornsby cassette loaded in the tape deck? Okay, you might be saving all the preparation for the last minute. But that’s what this final pre-festival day is for, right? We’re talking about Eaux Claires 2016, the second…