Minnesota Music Resistance on Paul Engebretson Aka Front Row Paul #MInnesotaMusicResistance
Minnesota Music Resistance emerged in the wake of the 2024 elections, spearheaded by longtime live‑music advocate Front Row Paul Engbretson. Concerned that new policies would harm local arts communities, Paul rallied a small circle to devise a response. The group first convened in December and has met monthly ever since, crafting a strategic plan to mobilize musicians, venues, and nonprofits. Their core mission is to amplify support for organizations that are directly serving neighborhoods most vulnerable to policy shifts. Although Paul was never a performing artist, his passion for live music made him a catalyst for collective action. He passed away in March 2025 from pancreatic cancer, and his absence is felt deeply among the coalition members who credit him with launching the initiative. The movement underscores how cultural leaders can translate artistic networks into civic advocacy, potentially shaping public discourse and protecting the state’s creative economy. Paul’s legacy continues to inspire grassroots efforts that bridge music and community resilience.
Jimmy Jam Talks About Prince's Legacy
Jimmy Jam reflects on Prince’s enduring legacy, emphasizing how the icon transcended mere musical brilliance to become a cultural trendsetter. He frames Prince as a rare blend of supreme talent and an almost obsessive work ethic, likening him to Michael...
El-P From Run the Jewels Considers Prince His Biggest Influence and Hero
In a 2017 interview with The Current, El‑P, one half of hip‑hop duo Run the Jewels, declared Prince his biggest influence and personal hero. He highlighted Prince’s fearless genre‑blending and theatrical flair as pivotal to his own artistic development. The...
Jon Batiste on How Studying Prince Helps His Own Creative Process 💜
Jon Batiste explains how dissecting Prince’s songwriting and recording methods informs his own creative workflow. He highlights Prince’s genre‑blending, studio spontaneity, and commitment to authenticity as key lessons. Batiste says these insights have broadened his lyrical palette and encouraged risk‑taking...
Brittany Howard on Playing with Prince #BrittanyHoward
Brittany Howard recounts a last‑minute invitation to perform at Prince’s Paisley Park, describing the surreal atmosphere of arriving under strict no‑meat, no‑cursing, no‑smoking, and no‑drinking rules. The anticipation among her crew turned to astonishment when Prince’s assistant announced the legendary musician...
Andrea Swensson Recalls Reporting About Prince From Paisley Park on April 21, 2016
Andrea Swensson recounts the chaotic moments surrounding the breaking news of Prince’s death on April 21, 2016. After receiving a tip, she and colleague Jade rushed to Paisley Park, where she confirmed the story with Prince’s longtime associate Bobby Z., then...
Jeremy Messersmith on His Album Fox/Coyote #jeremymessersmith
Jeremy Messersmith explains the genesis of his new album, Fox/Coyote, noting that many of the songs originated during the 2020 pandemic and represent a long‑term creative journey. He describes a period of “unhinged” writing as he searched for his voice, ultimately...
Kevin Cole on the Power of Music #DJKevinCole
Kevin Cole uses a new documentary as a platform to argue that music functions as a universal therapeutic and mobilizing force. He outlines how rhythm can provide comfort in crisis, lift spirits, and physically move bodies, thereby reshaping personal energy...
Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie — Private Lives (Live at The Current)
Adam Weiner, frontman of Low Cut Connie, performed “Private Lives” live at The Current, delivering a gritty, autobiographical anthem that explores the tension between public performance and personal survival. The song’s verses weave images of side‑hustles, hidden vices, and the...
Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie — Little Freakers (Live at The Current)
The Current captured a live performance by Adam Weiner, front‑man of Low Cut Connie, delivering the track “Little Freakers.” Set in the station’s intimate studio, the band leaned into their garage‑rock roots, with Weiner’s gritty vocals cutting through a backdrop of driving...
Melissa Etheridge on Norman's Rare Guitars #MelissaEtheridge
In a candid interview, singer‑songwriter Melissa Etheridge reflects on her long‑standing relationship with Norman’s Rare Guitars, the Los Angeles boutique that has supplied vintage instruments to generations of rock musicians. She recalls that in the early 1980s, after Bonnie Raitt warned...
Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie — Can't Be Wrong (Live at The Current)
Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie took the stage at The Current to perform a raucous live version of “Can’t Be Wrong,” showcasing the band’s signature blend of garage‑rock swagger and soulful hooks. The stripped‑down setting, combined with Weiner’s charismatic...
Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie — Livin in the USA (Live at The Current)
The video captures Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie performing “Living in the USA” live at The Current, a stark protest song that frames the United States as a place of exile rather than home for many. The performance’s...
How The Suicide Commandos Propelled Careers for Bob Mould, Craig Finn, and The Suburbs
Chris Osgood and Dave Ahl of the Suicide Commandos sit down to discuss their upcoming Farewell Blowout show at First Avenue and reflect on how the Minneapolis punk outfit helped launch the careers of three iconic acts—Bob Mould, Craig Finn and...
Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie Plays a Solo Piano Set at The Current
Adam Weiner, frontman of Low Cut Connie, sat down with The Current to perform a solo piano set and discuss his forthcoming album, Living in the USA, slated for release on July 3—just before Independence Day. He used the conversation to explain why he deliberately timed the...