Released on his 69th birthday, David Bowie's 25th studio album 'Blackstar' is an uncompromising collection of songs that defy being categorized as any one genre; it's simply Bowie. 'Blackstar' is the final installment in Bowie's innovative and prolific career.

Sunday night, Sam Smith won the 2016 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “Writing’s On the Wall,” the song he performed for the James Bond film Spectre. Accepting the award with co-writer Jimmy Napes, Smith graciously thanked the film’s producers and director. Kanye West has announced a release date for his long-awaited new album Swish: Feb. 11. He’s…

I’ve enjoyed birthday parties for as long as I can remember. I grew up going to movies and eating cheesecake for mine — and the presents didn’t hurt, either. But this week, my concept of birthday parties widened dramatically; I might never see them the same way. On Friday, I joined at least 500 others…

For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, we are looking for your suggestions of musicians who are snappy dressers.

Drone Not Drones has announced the lineup for their third annual event, which will be held at the Cedar Cultural Center from Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. to Feb. 27 at 11 p.m. The lineup features Will Oldham (Bonnie “Prince” Billy) and a number of local acts — including Alan Sparhawk of Low — and other musicians from around the…

For the past few months, The Current has been inviting local musicians to take over our all-Minnesota music stream to talk about the local music scene and to share tracks from other local artists. 2015’s roster for Local Current’s DJ in Residence included Sophia Eris, Gabriel Douglas, Mark Mallman, Reina del Cid, and many others.…

According to Nielsen Music, the singer's stratospheric success with 25 made her the year's top-selling artist by far -- even though 25 was available in only the last six weeks of 2015. And it was another year of growth for vinyl.

The City of Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development has submitted a report on the upcoming renovation of Target Center, and it features updated renderings of how the downtown venue could look when long-planned renovations are complete. The report is being presented to the City Planning Commission for consideration at a meeting next week. Updated…

The largest jackpot in U.S. history is up for grabs this weekend. For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, send us your suggestions for "lucky" songs.

Ardis Wells and the Rhythm Ranch Gals occupied Minneapolis nightclub The Flame on a nightly basis in the 1950’s and ‘60s.  Within the shifting lineup, longtime band members included Fern Dale, who previously performed with famed Minnesotan trio The Andrews Sisters, as well as Jan North and Patti Williams, who later performed as the North Sisters…