As the Democratic National Convention begins in Philadelphia, music fans are taking note of the fact that Virginia senator Tim Kaine has said his two favorite music artists are the Replacements and Bob Dylan. (Kaine was born in St. Paul, though his family moved out of Minnesota when he was very young.) Kaine is Hillary Clinton’s running mate, meaning that…

A few years ago, The Current’s program director Jim McGuinn decided to head up north from St. Paul to Duluth for the All Pints North beer festival, and the event’s organizers excitedly asked if he could bring our van to park on the festival grounds. Each year since, The Current’s involvement in what we’ve come to…

Behold! Our most divisive Coffee Break topic of the year. You might love it, you might hate it, but let's face it, Santa Clause is coming to town. What Christmas songs do you want to hear for our "Christmas in July" Coffee Break?

Gifted with a rare ability to translate all her emotions into song, Margaret Glaspy has created a stunning debut album, 'Emotions and Math.'

The next installment in a career-spanning series of David Bowie box sets will include The Gouster — an unreleased LP that was Bowie’s first version of the album that ultimately became Young Americans. The box set Who Can I Be Now? will comprise 12 CDs or 13 LPs, and covers Bowie’s career from 1974 to 1976. (Rolling Stone) Arcade Fire and the Preservation…

I say I don’t like surprises, but I live for twists and turns in music. Flourishes, hooks, complicated key changes—when done well, they always give me a rush. That said, many of the albums I’ve heard this year have been so run-of-the-mill. When I can predict a song’s rhymes and drum fills, I wonder at…

Oake & Riley is currently broadcasting live from Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar in Duluth, and in preparation for All Pints North tomorrow, and our various beer-related guests today, let's devote our Coffee Break to the topic. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what beer songs do you want to hear?

Holidae, “Darkest Shade” Holidae‘s first music video is a sci-fi novel, dance routine, and musical performance wrapped up in one. What could tie all those things together? Ashley Gold, her facial recognition software-defying make-up, and Gold and Garrett Neal’s song “Darkest Shade.” Sa-Roc, “Queen Ting” Rhymesayers’s new signee, Sa-Roc, is dropping a video every week in a series…

An excessive heat warning continues today into tomorrow morning, and we're feeling the heat. Today might be the hottest day of the year in Minnesota, and thanks to some severe storms this morning, many will go without power and A/C. Yesterday we played six "hot" and "heat" songs for you, let's do more for today's 9:30 Coffee Break.

Lowertown is known as one of the Twin Cities’ most up-and-coming areas, but Black Dog is already a neighborhood mainstay. Owners Sara, Stacy and Andy Remke have called 308 Prince Street their business’s home since 1998. Even old favorites can use freshening up, though, so the Remkes recently snapped up the former Clouds in Water Zen Center space next door…