The composer and electronic musician hit a wall while making his first solo album in five years. Finishing the record meant finding inspiration in everything from Brian Eno to a tree in his yard.

Watch video of an interview Mac Wilson had with Alex O'Connor, aka Rex Orange County. O'Connor talks about being on tour, about mental health in the music industry, and about his latest album, 'Pony.'

A founding member of the band and its only constant member since 1979, Gill's influence with Gang of Four was far reaching. Artists including Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Bono from U2, and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers all have cited Gang of Four as a vital influence.

In town for a show at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Mandolin Orange's Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz visited The Current for a conversation with Mike Pengra about what proved to be a meteoric year for the band, some of their side projects, the music of Bob Dylan, and what might be next for the Chapel Hill, N.C., outfit.

When G. Love visited The Current studio for a solo session hosted by Mac Wilson, we were struck by his Gretsch guitars with their shimmering white finish. We got a chance to talk to G. Love about those guitars and more.

NPR's Scott Simon talks with the 23-year-old guitarist about the tragic event that inspired him to start writing songs and what it was like to collaborate with The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach.

Taylor James Donskey is celebrating the release of his album, 'Paper Over It,' with a show at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Thursday, Jan. 16. Before the show, Donskey stopped at Radio Heartland to talk to Mike Pengra and to spin some tracks from the album.

Craig Minowa is the frontman of Cloud Cult, who played Rock the Garden in 2008, a year that saw the popular concert series at Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden return from a four-year dormancy. Minowa shares some memories from that first Rock the Garden of the modern era.

Matt Fink - aka Dr. Fink - was one of Prince's first keyboard players and is a member of the Revolution. In conversation with Andrea Swensson, Dr. Fink reflects on performing, recording and touring with Prince. 'He was always transforming himself into something different with every record,' Fink says. 'There was always something new and original and exploratory.'

Actor, comedian and musician Fred Armisen ('Saturday Night Live'; 'Portlandia'; 'Late Night with Seth Meyers') discovered Prince shortly after the release of '1999.' In a conversation with Andrea Swensson, Armisen talks about how he first heard Prince and became a fan for life. 'Prince really became my favorite artist,' Armisen says. 'I really soaked up every lyric, every little drumbeat, everything about him.' Listen to Andrea's full conversation with Fred Armisen.