The writer and musician died due to a brain aneurysm on Monday, July 1. She was 62.

Welcome to The Scouting Report, a monthly list of 10 Minnesota artists with exciting new projects, as curated by our local music team. If you like these picks, check out The Local Show on Sundays from 7 p.m. to midnight, hosted by Diane. In April 2024, The Current compiled the first Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report with votes from the local music industry.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs about UFOs and aliens would you like to hear?

With the Fourth of July week here, we look at an album all about the messy, complicated and wonderful culture of America: Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A., which recently turned 40 years old.

We spotlight some do-gooders from right in your own backyard … well, if your backyard has some trees to climb. 

Pert Near Sandstone’s annual folk and Americana music festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, marked its 10th year with an incredible lineup.

The Big Thief frontwoman’s set was a gem during Pride happenings across Minneapolis.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, which songs released in 1984 by Minnesota artists or producers would you like to hear?

Artist KC Rae performed at the Fitzgerald Theater for the Minnesota Music Month showcase featuring jeremy messsersmith and MAKR AN ERIS.

Iowa folk-singer Greg Brown recently released an autobiographical retrospective filled with short essays of recollections and musings, along with a scrapbook’s worth of photos, plus sheet music, lyrics and chords for 40 of Brown’s songs. Brown visited with Radio Heartland’s Mike Pengra to talk about it.