Before playing a show at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, Smith Westerns stopped in the studios of The Current to talk to Barb Abney about touring, songwriting, their influences and what it's like to be a band out of Chicago.

Ahead of her first US tour date in support of Once I Was an Eagle at the Women's Club in Minneapolis, Laura Marling stopped by to play songs off her latest album in Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum. Between songs, Marling talked to Steve Seel of The Current's Morning Show about Patty Smith, Greek mythology, and playing with an orchestra at the BBC Proms.

Local music fans who miss any of the defining Twin Cities rock bands of the '90s and early aughts will be pleased to know there's a solution to their nostalgia with new group The Starfolk.

Ahead of last Tuesday's generous 23-song set at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, The National stopped by to play songs off their latest record Trouble Will Find Me in Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum. Between songs, frontman Matt Berninger talked to The Current's Mary Lucia about songwriting, skinny jeans, fatherhood and his brother's suddenly skyrocketing film career.

The Tennessee singer-songwriter feels a deep connection — if not responsibility — to the great musical traditions of Memphis. She describes this and more during her in-studio chat with The Current's Mac Wilson.

It was a gift from an uncle that launched singer-songwriter Jake Bugg's career. Until he was 12 years old, Bugg was only interested in playing soccer. But when an uncle presented the preteen Bugg with a guitar, Bugg "knew it was what [he] wanted to do."

Gypsy-punk rockers Gogol Bordello live up to their name. Not only do the internationally influenced eight-member band come from all over the world (Ukraine, Russia, Ecuador), but they also tour across the globe eight months of the year. We were lucky enough for their itinerary to include a stop in The Current studios.

One of most impressive local bands to spring into the spotlight this year has been Fury Things, a power trio taking a cue from some of the best alt-rock bands that came to fruition in the '90s like Dinosaur Jr. and Superchunk.

Sombear may be a relatively new act in the music community here in Minnesota, but we can guarantee that a lot of you probably know the man behind the project. Brad Hale -- drummer for Now, Now -- is stepping into the spotlight to release a debut that's been stewing in his head for years.

Long regarded as favorites for The Current's Local Show, The Goondas came back to our studios in support of their sophomore album "Dog Show."