Few people expected Miguel's song "Adorn" would be such a sleeper hit. But in 2012, it surpassed the one million mark in sales, as well as receiving a Grammy. That unexpected rise to the spotlight allowed Miguel to snag loads of year-end honors, including one of the best reviewed records of last year.

Darkside makes dance music. That's their motto, even if their string of usually sub-100bpm tracks might make for a more intimate affair, rather than club bangers. But the duo of Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington have a high-profile history of reimagining the way dance music sounds, and we imagine that the genre in 2014 will follow suit with the band's ideas.

Brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey of The Cactus Blossoms stopped in to The Current's studios to play a few songs and to talk with Bill DeVille as part of the fourth-anniversary show of United States of Americana.

Caroline Smith has had a monumental year. She's been a Twin Cities mainstay for the past few years ever since beginning a routine solo gig at the 400 Bar. Many Minnesota musicians got their start at that venue before it shut the doors, and Caroline met her band through connections she made at those performances.

At the end of each month, The Current's Morning Show loads up the 89.3 The Current van and takes a bunch of pastries and a big dispenser of coffee to area workplaces that love The Current. And every once in a while, we're lucky enough to bring an artist along with us. This time, it was Caroline Smith.

Austin, Texas, guitar player Gary Clark Jr. paid a visit to the UBS Forum at Minnesota Public Radio to play an intimate show for a live audience before his sold-out show that night at First Avenue. Between songs, he spoke to Jill Riley about his trajectory thus far and about his approach to music-making.

Dosh is always busy. Inbetween constant touring with Andrew Bird, his work with The Cloak Ox and his solo recordings, the prolific drummer also managed to contribute a cover to this year's installment of the "Minnesota Beatle Project."

Shortly after landing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minor Alps — Juliana Hatfield and Matthew Caws — stopped in to The Current's studio to chat with host Mark Wheat and to play some songs off their album, Get There.

Arcade Fire played Capitol Records studios in Los Angeles on Oct. 28; the eve of their highly-anticipated 'Reflektor' album release. With their recent announcement of live shows throughout the country,you'll want to hear this incredible hour-long show, (Sun. Nov. 17 at 10 p.m.) including an amazing tribute to the late Lou Reed.

Gloss had played 43 shows at the time of their recording for The Local Show. That's a lot of live performances for a band that's only been around for one year. And that consistent exposure correlates with the amount of press the young quintet has received since forming.