As the Democratic National Convention begins in Philadelphia, music fans are taking note of the fact that Virginia senator Tim Kaine has said his two favorite music artists are the Replacements and Bob Dylan. (Kaine was born in St. Paul, though his family moved out of Minnesota when he was very young.) Kaine is Hillary Clinton’s running mate, meaning that…

A few years ago, The Current’s program director Jim McGuinn decided to head up north from St. Paul to Duluth for the All Pints North beer festival, and the event’s organizers excitedly asked if he could bring our van to park on the festival grounds. Each year since, The Current’s involvement in what we’ve come to…

Behold! Our most divisive Coffee Break topic of the year. You might love it, you might hate it, but let's face it, Santa Clause is coming to town. What Christmas songs do you want to hear for our "Christmas in July" Coffee Break?

Bob Dylan disappointed fans by plugging in; The Beatles recorded the first take of a George Harrison tune; and Neil Young joins Crosby, Stills and Nash, Today in Music History.

Gifted with a rare ability to translate all her emotions into song, Margaret Glaspy has created a stunning debut album, 'Emotions and Math.'

The next installment in a career-spanning series of David Bowie box sets will include The Gouster — an unreleased LP that was Bowie’s first version of the album that ultimately became Young Americans. The box set Who Can I Be Now? will comprise 12 CDs or 13 LPs, and covers Bowie’s career from 1974 to 1976. (Rolling Stone) Arcade Fire and the Preservation…

I say I don’t like surprises, but I live for twists and turns in music. Flourishes, hooks, complicated key changes—when done well, they always give me a rush. That said, many of the albums I’ve heard this year have been so run-of-the-mill. When I can predict a song’s rhymes and drum fills, I wonder at…

Fingerpicking guitar player and singer-songwriter Cary Morin is almost always on the road, except when he's busily working on his latest album. Despite his busy schedule, Cary was able to stop in to the Radio Heartland studio to play a few songs and to talk about his latest project.

Oake & Riley is currently broadcasting live from Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar in Duluth, and in preparation for All Pints North tomorrow, and our various beer-related guests today, let's devote our Coffee Break to the topic. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what beer songs do you want to hear?

Three members of the Rolling Stones were fined after being caught short; Elvis Costello released his debut album; Johnny Cash hit No. 1 in the album charts posthumously; Rufus Wainwright was born; and Prince had a hit album based on a superhero, Today in Music History.