The Local Radar is getting a little revamp. Each week, we’ll focus on a single new release that we feel deserves a spotlight. Sun Gods To Gamma Rays Brianna Kocka reached out to me last year with a new project called Caetani (kay-tah-nee) which became one of my favorite discoveries of 2012. It was overlooked…

  Stef Alexander made national headlines last fall when he was forced to cancel his tour in support of his latest album to undergo treatment for kidney disease. Since that announcement, the hip-hop artist (and new Current DJ) known as P.OS. has received over $42,000 in donations from his fans—which is both an incredible stride…

  Did you partake in the Soul Toolsday experience? Twin Cities based Soul Tools released a new free track via their Bandcamp page every Tuesday in May. For those who don’t know, Soul Tools describes themselves as a “Minneapolis based entertainment group that focuses on collaborating with like-minded and ambitious artists, producers, musicians, film-makers and…

Monday, June 3 Carroll (opening for Pure Bathing Culture) 7th St. Entry, Minneapolis 7:30 p.m., $8, 18+ Up-and-coming rock group Carroll already had quite a bit of buzz going prior to embarking on their first tour, with both City Pages and Vita.mn crowning them Best New Band in recent months. At this homecoming show, they’re…

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…

  I typically save the Friday Five space for all the best new Minnesota music videos that have debuted each week. But before we get to the audio-visual portion of today’s roundup, I have a few other items to share: 1. Marijuana Deathsquads just released a free, two-EP collection called Music Rocks 1 and 2.…

  The Local Radar is getting a little revamp. Each week, we’ll focus on a single new release that we feel deserves a spotlight. Erros Mágicos Last summer, local psych rockers Magic Castles emerged from an extended slumber that began with their contribution to Moon Glyph’s Regolith Vol. 1 compilation in 2010. The two years…

  Thursday, May 30 Heavy Deeds Hymie’s Vintage Records, Minneapolis 7 p.m., free, all ages With Poliça on a brief break from touring, Chris Bierden is seizing the opportunity to give his other main band, Heavy Deeds, some attention. The band just released their debut album, Light Lunch, earlier this month, and will play a free show…

  Summer outdoor concert season is upon us! Hot on the heels of the Stone Arch Bridge Festival lineup announcement and last week’s Loring Park Music & Movies reveal comes news of Vita.mn’s annual Music & Movies showcase at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. This year’s lineup is especially strong musically. It will be the first…

  The Stone Arch Bridge Festival will return to St. Anthony Main this Father’s Day Weekend with another free showcase of Minnesota bands. Over 40 acts will provide the soundtrack for the 70,000 attendees who come to peruse work by visual artists. The event has become a longstanding tradition, first launched and operated by Ira…