The ultimate internal contradiction in Maus' work, the irresolvable, mysterious conflict that catalyzes and animates his entire aesthetic, is its the ineffable way it draws so heavily on the pastwhile also opening up unfamiliar and potent new musical landscapes.

In spending more time recording, it is evident that Peter Wolf Crier has grown immensely in the last year. There's a sense that Peter Wolf Crier have honed their sound and found their musical identity within the numerous Eau Claire bands.

With as many bass drums as they have members in the band (hint: it's the number you'd expect given their band name), Vita.mn Are You Local? winners 4onthefloor kick out the blues-rock jams with awesome foot-stompin' intensity. They performed at the Minnesota State Fair for MPR Day.

Minneapolis indie quartet Tapes 'n Tapes may have been enjoying Pitchfork accolades and seeing their songs in commercials as early as their 2005 debut LP "The Loon," but they remain a Twin Cities band through and through. The Current was proud to have the band join us at our booth at this year's Minnesota State Fair.

Local indie-folk darlings Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps may have begun their career with frontwoman Smith's early solo shows at the 400 Bar, but by now they've graduating headlining the main room at First Avenue for a show later this month. The Current was thrilled to welcome the band to our State Fair stage for the Local Show.

Singer-songwriter Haley Bonar is one of the staples of the Minnesota music scene, so it took a lot of people by surprise when she moved to Portland, Ore. two years ago. Well, the good news is that she's back in our wonderful state, and the better news is that she performed on our State Fair stage!