Compounding its commanding position on the local hip-hop scene, Rhymesayers Entertainment—fresh on the heels of signing young emcee Dem Atlas—announced today that it has signed Prof, the rambunctious rapper who’s built a huge local fan base since releasing his breakout LP King Gampo in 2011. In the spirit of Tom Waits, Rhymesayers announced the signing with…

Listener Bob suggested today's Coffee Break theme. A set of songs with the word "mind" in the title. What should we play?

Various Artists, Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis sound Before Prince broke to the top of the pop charts in the 80s, a group of progressive and like-minded artists were already heating up the Twin Cities music scene through the end of the 70s. Specializing in funk, sex, and technological advancement, these artists—from Andre Cymone to…

Afternoon host Mary Lucia's top music picks for 2013.

What songs that feature an instrument that is played with a mallet should we play for the 9:30 Coffee Break?

Poliça warmly welcomed the sellout crowd at Mill City Nights on November 30; it was the second of the band’s two headlining slots on consecutive nights at the downtown Minneapolis venue. The crowd was slightly older and more mainstream than the crowds the band attracted in their first shows (circa 2011), evidence of the national success…

The hardcore music scene in Fargo-Moorhead has a nonprofit community home: the New Direction. What used to be the coffee shop Red Raven, the New Direction has hosted over 200 shows since its opening in 2011, according to co-owner Jack Stenerson. The Fargo venue has not only hosted concerts but also art shows and punk rock…

Minnesota Beatle Project Vol. 5 is no different from the past four installments in that it includes inspiring musicians from the '60s to today. The project brings together some of the most timeless songs in rock history with local musicians. Beatles fans and local show-goers alike should find it hard to resist.

In June 2014, St. Paul’s McNally Smith College will partner with the Grammy Foundation to host Grammy Camp, a prestigious program for high schoolers who are serious about pursuing a career in music. The camp—which has been held in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville—teaches teens key lessons for surviving the music industry’s ever-evolving challenges. After going…

Matthew Caws (Nada Surf, The Minor Alps) was in The Current's studios a couple weeks ago. We asked him about his guitar, and he remembered exactly where he got it and what he immediately loved about it.