Local Current

Interview: Yam Haus go deep on band's history, discuss new music Selected as The Local Show’s Artist of the Month for July, Yam Haus spoke with host Diane ahead of their upcoming performance at Basilica Block Party.

A vital presence in the Twin Cities' music and literary scenes, Zuzu's Petals frontwoman, writer and musician Laurie Lindeen died due to a brain aneurysm on Monday, July 1. She was 62.

Read more about Lindeen's life and music at the link below.

Zuzu's Petals frontwoman Laurie Lindeen has died The writer and musician died due to a brain aneurysm on Monday, July 1. She was 62.

“She surrounded herself with positivity all the time. And she gave it back to people. She was constantly connecting with people. What you’re seeing now is that those connections really matter.”

Remembering the electrifying Minneapolis DJ Liara Kaylee Tsai “This is who I am, and this is the gift I bring.” Colleagues and loved ones will celebrate Tsai on Friday, July 5.

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

Watch KC Rae’s full performance below:
https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2024/06/30/kc-rae-performs-at-the-currents-minnesota-music-month-showcase

Photos: Faces of Blue Ox Music Festival 2024 Pert Near Sandstone’s annual folk and Americana music festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, marked its 10th year with an incredible lineup.

Kelley Smith performs at Radio Heartland's Minnesota Music Month showcase Singer-songwriter Kelley Smith performed at Radio Heartland's Minnesota Music Month showcase featuring Alan Sparhawk Solo Band, Maygen & The Birdwatcher, and Joe Rainey.

Humbird — the musical project fronted by singer-songwriter Siri Undlin — are off to their next chapter with the release of Right On. Not only have they been signed to a major label, Vancouver-based Nettwerk Music Group, but the latest album, Right On, has a grittier, more electric feel than previous releases. It’s all part of the band’s evolution. “I feel like we're in our teenage years now,” Undlin says.

Humbird play songs from 'Right On' at The Current for Radio Heartland Just before embarking on tour in support of their new record, Right On, Minneapolis band Humbird visited The Current studio for a session hosted by Radio Heartland’s Mike Pengra.

Three new bands to watch at Duluth Homegrown Music Festival 2024 Learn more about Duluth artists embalmingEva, the Penny Peaches, and Roadside Casino, who are all making their first Homegrown appearance.

During the pandemic’s more-isolated days in 2020, Bad Bad Hats asked for song prompts from their Patreon supporters. The suggestions rolled in: “write a new wave song,” “write a song with a wordless chorus,” “write a song where the chord progression doesn’t change.” These requests forced the Twin Cities indie-pop duo to work outside their creative comfort zone. Turns out, freeing themselves from sonic limitations and personal expectations sparked some of the best songs of the band’s 12-year career.

Interview: Bad Bad Hats are exactly where they want to be Out today on Philadelphia indie label Don Giovanni Records, Bad Bad Hats’ fourth full-length album is a self-titled affair affectionately known as as “The Flower Album.”

Check out The Local Show host Diane on MPR News with Cathy Wurzer talking about Minnesota Music Month:

Minnesota Music Month: Local stars to see in April Governor Walz declared April Minnesota Music Month back in 2019. It’s a time for recognizing the local musicians who contribute to culture and understanding of one another through music.

Alan Sparhawk leads night of thrills and surprise at Turf Club Friday marked the first concert in the Minnesota Music Month series, with sets of music by Alan Sparhawk Solo Band, Maygen and the Birdwatcher, Joe Rainey, and Kelley Smith.

Interview and Session: Nur-D and DJ Hayes preview Minnesota Orchestra performance Watch Nur-D, DJ Hayes, and members of the Minnesota Orchestra perform at The Current’s studio ahead of performances at Orchestra Hall on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6.

Laamar and ber are topping the charts! Go, Minnesota!

The Chart Show: Laamar's "Say My Name" goes to No. 1 This week on the Chart Show, Minnesota artists Laamar and Ber take the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively, while Toronto rockers The Beaches go to No. 3 with “Blame Brett.”

Americana/roots musician Erik Koskinen and his bandmates visited the Radio Heartland studio to play a selection of tracks from the forthcoming album "Down Street/Love Avenue":

Erik Koskinen plays songs from 'Down Street/Love Avenue' at The Current Koskinen’s latest album was developed over the past four years and involved the input of many collaborators.

Interview: Remo Drive talk reinvention, brotherhood, and love of music Remo Drive, The Local Show's Artist of the Month, visited Diane to talk about their new LP, Mercy.

The Current, Carbon Sound, and Radio Heartland are excited to present Minnesota Music Month this April. We’ll celebrate on air, online, and with four shows in St. Paul, all featuring local music performances to celebrate our thriving Minnesota music community.

In a 2019 proclamation, Gov. Walz named April as Minnesota Music Month. Minnesota Music Month recognizes the deep influence of its artists and their contributions to foster understanding of one another through music. The month is a chance to honor the creativity, energy, and rich history of Minnesota’s music scene.

Find more information and enter to win tickets at www.thecurrent.org/mnmusicmonth

Al Sparhawk (of Low)
Maygen & The Birdwatcher
Joe Rainey
Kelley Smith
Porcupine
Anna Graves
Mmyykk
REIKI
Xina
Zora
jeremy messersmith
MAKR AN ERIS (Sophia Eris)
KC Rae (of Now, Now)

10 Minnesota musicians to discover this March New tracks from Goon Tribune, HEYARLO, Paper Tiger, Ruby, and more.

Raffaella shines with bold theatrics at Fine Line The New York-raised, Minnesota-based artist performed songs that fixate on the reimagination of youthful femininity. Why Not played a powerful opening set.

10 new(ish) spots to see live music, including Berlin, Zhora Darling, Pilllar FORUM Café & Commodities, Cloudland Theater, Green Room, and more:

10 new(ish) Twin Cities music venues worth checking out in 2024 Over the past few years, a fresh new batch of venues have opened throughout the Twin Cities, giving local and national bands exciting new places to play in town.

Hippo Campus, DURRY, Soul Asylum, Gully Boys, and The Hold Steady represent Minnesota at the "Yacht Club" this July🔥

2024 Lineup 🛥 Presale begins Friday 2/2 at 10am CT with access to the lowest-priced tickets ☀️ Sign up now for a presale passcode: minnesotayachtclubfestival.com

A general on-sale will follow on 2/2 at 11am CT if tickets remain.

NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest is back. This isn't just another regular year of the Contest — it's the 10th anniversary, and it's going all out.

Want to play a Tiny Desk concert? The 2024 Contest is now open for entries NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest is back.

Nolen Sellwood wants to bust folk music wide open Emerging singer-songwriter Sellwood, currently based in Duluth, has his eye on making folk music accessible, appealing, and relevant to a younger generation.

The second time REIKI Michael Hall played guitar in public was when he stood on First Avenue’s mainroom stage last July. The first time was at a basement punk show a week earlier. The mainroom performance was the debut Rock Lottery, in which the venue’s staff selected 25 Twin Cities musicians, separated them up into five bands, and gave them 48 hours to write new songs together.

Reiki on self-trust, letting go on stage, and finding artistic community in Minneapolis The punk-rage, R&B musician shares his story ahead of performance at First Avenue’s Best New Bands.

Top 15 Minnesota Songs of 2023 as decided by The Current's staff See if your favorite local song made the list:

Top 15 Minnesota Songs of 2023 The Current staff make their picks for the top Minnesota singles of 2023.

Were you there?

Photos: Durry stage triumphant homecoming at First Ave The Burnsville alt-rock group, featuring siblings Austin and Taryn Durry, performed to a sold-out crowd in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday.

North Minneapolis musician Geoffrey Lamar Wilson on Laamar’s debut EP, fatherhood, and finding joy in troubled times:

Behind the scenes with Laamar, one of First Ave’s Best New Bands North Minneapolis musician Geoffrey Lamar Wilson on Laamar’s debut EP, fatherhood, and finding joy in troubled times.

Today’s Song of the Day is “Julia” by C O L I N Bracewell.
Colin Bracewell will be performing at Amsterdam Bar & Hall on Friday, November 24.

Check it out and download for free below:
https://www.thecurrent.org/episode/2023/11/22/colin-bracewell-julia

Inside Flavor World: A breath of fresh air in Twin Cities fashion, music and culture Drew Kinkade is growing his brand with friends and collaborators out of a recently opened space in Minneapolis’ Powderhorn neighborhood.

Tonight from 7 to midnight on The Current. Minnesota music!