Val Camilletti is the owner of Val's Halla Records, a record store located in Oak Park, Ill., just outside of Chicago. In July of this year, Val's Halla Records will mark 45 years in business. Mary Lucia connected with Val Camilletti for a chat about music and about record-store culture.

Singer-songwriter Bobby Freeman has died of a heart attack at age 76. Freeman was just a teenager when he wrote and recorded “Do You Want to Dance,” a top five hit in 1958. The song became one of the era’s most iconic singles, thanks in part to later covers by artists including the Beach Boys and the Ramones, and…

In honor of Valentine's Day, we're focusing on love for today's 9:30 Coffee Break. But not just any love - secret love. Unrequited love. Where the object of desire may not be aware of the seeker's affection. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs about secret love do you want to hear?

John and Yoko became show hosts, "Wayne's World" premiered, Elton John appeared on The Simpsons and Aretha Franklin recorded 'Respect', Today in Music History.

Hippo Campus are poised to make a big splash on the national music scene with their debut full-length album, landmark, which comes out Friday, Feb. 24. In anticipation of the record’s release, Hippo Campus performed a full album preview at Minneapolis club Icehouse on Feb. 7. Nearly 200 lucky guests filled the room to get…

Today's top music news stories include the prospect of a specially-commissioned song for the Minnesota State Capitol, the explanation between Metallica's failed mic, and a new enterprise for Passion Pit's leader.

Son Volt have always deserved more attention than they've received, and the band's eighth album provides a lean and sturdy showcase for Jay Farrar's eternally weary but undiminished voice. Stream 'Notes of Blue' in its entirety prior to its Feb. 17 release date.

Having grown up in Los Angeles and in Virginia, Angelica Garcia's personal history has informed her musical style, blending urban street smarts with eerie Southern storytelling. This bewitching mix is in evidence on Garcia's single, 'Orange Flower,' and it's Jade's DJ Pick of the Week.

The Westminster Kennel Club dog show is underway and this year - for the first time ever - features cats. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs about cats and dogs do you want to hear?

Poliça sound best in the darkness. Sometimes that’s in your bedroom with headphones. Sometimes it’s on a late-night drive around a lake. On Saturday, it was at First Avenue, the rock club’s floor full and the lights low. I’d seen the band outdoors at Eaux Claires and Rock the Garden before, but something about their…