Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile describes her Collings custom guitar, a guitar make she starting playing based on the recommendation of a songwriting legend.

We want to put together a playlist of bubbly songs.

1. Hello, I’m David C. and I’m an alcoholic and an addict (or: How I learned to stop worrying and love myself). Host David Campbell bravely shares his story of addiction, alcoholism, and recovery with blogger Andrea Swensson. 2. Nye’s Polonaise will close next year. The owners of Nye’s Polonaise, a Northeast Minneapolis landmark that’s…

Earlier this month, Minneapolis expat Paul Thompson took to Pitchfork’s blog The Pitch to sum up our hyperactive hip-hop community, declaring that, “Minnesota Nice is well established, but 2014 was the year for Minnesota Weird in the Minneapolis-St. Paul hip-hop scene.” His assessment—and the artists he chose to highlight—got a lot of people talking here…

2014 has been a year to remember in the Minnesota music scene, and we’ve covered as much of it as we possibly could on our Local Current blog. Below, I’ve chosen a few notable quotes from people who we’ve covered on the blog this year. Click on each image to go to the story where…

With One Direction on tour—including an upcoming July 26 date at TCF Bank Stadium—concert tickets were a popular gift item this Christmas, and some of the young recipients were extremely grateful. (BuzzFeed) In keeping with a recent European Union directive, Apple is now offering “no questions asked” returns to European iTunes users for a period of two weeks after…

Sister Calypso You may not have heard of Sister Calypso yet, but that’s no surprise as the band’s debut just dropped about a week ago and they’ve barely had any shows to speak of. No matter how all that sounds, Sister Calypso’s Bluewater Marauder EP is worth a listen, and the band will hopefully start…

What songs from musician who passed away in 2014 do you want to hear for the Coffee Break? We'll put together a playlist with some of your suggestions.

Via YouTube last week, Ringo Starr announced that he’ll release a new studio album in 2015—his 18th solo studio album, and his first since Ringo 2012. Starr, 74, will be honored with the Award for Musical Excellence at next year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. “Peace and love, peace and love,” said Starr in his…

So, let's make a list of 2014 regrets and toss them into the Coffee Break fire to help clean the slate for 2015. What songs about regrets or failed New Year's resolutions do you want to hear for the 9:30 Coffee Break?