Happy Friday! For this week’s Five, I have a handful of fresh videos from some of the more exciting emerging artists here in the Twin Cities—including two brand-new collaborations, Weird Visions and VAYNS, that are getting ready to release more new music in 2014. Weird Visions Holly Hansen and Grant Cutler’s new collaboration Weird Visions…

This year, we’ll be spotlighting a prominent Minnesota musician or band each month with our new Artist of the Month feature. You’ll be able to hear a variety of songs from throughout the artists’ career on both the Local Current stream and the Local Show, and you can read more about the artists’ history and their role in…

We're celebrating the 80th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition for today's 9:30 Coffee Break.

Since making his public debut in 1978, at the age of 15, singing Cheap Trick’s “Surrender” at the First Congregational Church spring party in his home town of Austin, Minnesota, Martin Zellar has forged a reputation as a regional journeyman with a deep songbook and a classic sound. Best known as frontman for local legends…

Five years ago, producers at Vega Studios had the idea to collect several Twin Cities artists and ask them to cover Beatles songs, then donate proceeds to music and arts education. In the ears of many listeners, it was a very good idea. This year, Minnesotans have the pleasure of hearing 13 of the state’s…

When Mason Jennings stopped in to The Current's studio to chat with Jill Riley and perform a few songs, we asked him about his guitar. He told us how way he found it, who his influences are and which tuning he prefers.

Look out the window, get inspired, and suggest a snowy song for our 9:30 Coffee Break. What do you think we should play?

Since heavy metal haven Station 4 abruptly closed for renovation earlier this year, Twin Cities metalheads have faced a major loss. After months of restless rumoring, in August management finally announced plans to turn the venue into a bar and grill that will likely cater more to fans of mainstream music. Steve Bergquist, drummer for…

Hibbing native Bob Dylan has lived a long, strange life, and it’s not getting any less strange. Just a few weeks after receiving the French Legion of Honor, Dylan, 72, is the subject of preliminary charges filed against him in France for “public insult and inciting hate.” The charges were confirmed in a statement to…

Dig, if you will, a picture: actually, 32 pages of pictures, drawn by comic artist Ernesto Lovera to a story written by Michael L. Frizell. Fame Prince, a publication from Bluewater Productions, will be available December 4 for purchase and download. It tells the story of the Minnesota music legend’s life from his 60s childhood through…