Before the 1984 blockbuster Purple Rain catapulted Prince on to the national stage, there was an Aug. 3, 1983 benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theatre at the recently re-branded First Avenue. It was there that the budding pop star debuted much of the Purple Rain album tracks, and recorded the versions of “Purple Rain,” “I Would…

“Iggy Confidential” goes all-Bowie Iggy Pop dedicated an entire episode of his BBC Radio 6 show to David Bowie, his friend and colleague. Listen for two hours of music and Iggy’s memories of the late star (including what happened when Bowie first played Iggy “Just Dance”). (Pitchfork) Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga among featured performers at Tony…

What's a good way to strike up a conversation with someone? Mary Lucia finds that a rich conversation follows whenever she asks people about their rental stories. Statistics say Americans move an average of 11 times in their lives; because Mary surpassed 11 many years ago, her apartment 'highlight reel is rich and plentiful.' See Mary's stories, and share some of your own.

Today is National Night Out - a night for neighbors everywhere to get to know each other and strengthen relationships. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear about community, neighbors and togetherness?

The return of Frank Ocean According to a New York Times source, R&B star and Odd Future member Frank Ocean will release Boys Don’t Cry, his second studio album, “through an exclusive deal with Apple Music.” Fans have been clamoring for a new album ever since 2012’s channel ORANGE, which won cult support and a Grammy for…

The Dap-Kings' unstoppable lead singer looks back at her cancer battle, which was chronicled in the documentary 'Miss Sharon Jones,' and draws strength from soul songs.

Today marks the anniversary of the launch of MTV in 1981. For today's Coffee Break, we have a special challenge for you. We want you to look back into your memory and ask yourself - what was the first MTV music video you remember falling in love with? Think back to the classic days of MTV, when music videos were actually played.

Life can be tough for fans of low-key music festivals. Around the world, fests pair performances with raging stage shows and, all too often, the spectacle absorbs the art. However, anyone who is able to make it to Stillwater, Minnesota, on August 20 has a shot at a door two: the Square Lake Film &…

I’ve always been really into music my entire life, and as long as I can remember I’ve been on the lookout for new bands to obsess over. I never really was into my local music scene back in NY because I lived in an area where it was super rare to even find local bands.…

Our Album of the Week is Haley Bonar's 'Impossible Dream,' releasing Friday, Aug., 5, on GNDWIRE Records. Brian Oake describes the album as 'a shimmering, reflective collection of memories and faded dreams' likely to end up on many of the year's best-of lists.