Lucinda Williams — Low Life (Live in the Forum at Minnesota Public Radio)
Lucinda Williams took the stage at Minnesota Public Radio’s Forum to perform “Low Life,” the lead single from her newly released album. The intimate live setting highlighted the song’s gritty storytelling and Williams’ seasoned vocal delivery. The track paints a smoky New Orleans bar scene, complete with references to Slim Harpo on the jukebox and a bartender serving “good hurricanes” and cheap highballs. Its repetitive refrain—“I guess this is the low life, but it’s where I want to be”—underscores a theme of embracing marginal spaces. Williams interweaves nods to blues legends Dr. John and Slim Harpo, reinforcing her deep roots in Southern blues. The audience’s enthusiastic applause after each chorus signaled strong fan connection to the raw, unvarnished performance. The live debut serves as a promotional push for the album, positioning Williams as a torchbearer of authentic Americana and likely driving streaming and ticket sales as listeners seek the same low‑life atmosphere captured on stage.
Bob Mould Compares Indie Wrestling and the DIY Punk-Rock Scene
In a recent interview, former Hüsker Dü frontman Bob Mould draws parallels between today’s indie wrestling circuit and the DIY touring ethic that defined the 1980s punk scene. Mould recalls launching a fanzine called “Hardcore Wrestling” in 1983‑84, noting that many wrestlers...
Brother Wallace on His Musical Beginnings #BrotherWallace
Brother Wallace recounts his musical origins, tracing back to age six when piano lessons intersected with his parents’ active church life. The first hymn he mastered, “Jesus Loves Me,” became a weekly fixture in Sunday school, marking the start of...
Brother Wallace — You're The Man (Live at the Forum at Minnesota Public Radio)
The video captures Brother Wallace performing “You’re The Man” live at the Forum, broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio, showcasing his raw vocal delivery and atmospheric staging. The performance emphasizes the song’s themes of isolation and existential dread, using repetitive hooks and...
Lucinda Williams Recalls Meeting Bob Dylan for the Very First Time
Lucinda Williams sat down to recount the moment she first met Bob Dylan, a meeting that took place in the mid‑1970s at New York’s iconic Folk City. She had just finished opening for folk‑rocker Tom Pacheco and was approached by...
Bob Mould — If I Can't Change Your Mind (Live for The Current)
Bob Mould performed a live acoustic version of “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” on Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current, offering a stripped‑down take on the 1990s alt‑rock staple. The rendition is marked by a hushed vocal delivery and minimal instrumentation,...
Friko Talk About Leaning Into Dynamics on Song Arrangements
Friko discusses the band’s deliberate use of dynamics, notably delaying the drums in "Guess" until about two‑and‑a‑half minutes to maximize impact. They view dynamics as a natural extension of their playing style and Niko’s songwriting, which already embeds contrast; the band’s...
Brother Wallace — Who's That? (Live at the Forum at Minnesota Public Radio)
Brother Wallace performed his single “Who’s That?” live at the Forum of Minnesota Public Radio, delivering a stripped‑down set that foregrounds his vocal nuance and lyrical focus. The song narrates a night of spotting an ex‑partner with a new lover, mixing...
Joyce Manor on Working with Brett Gurewitz #JoyceManor
In a candid interview, Joyce Manor explains how longtime collaborator Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records, became directly involved in producing their latest record. Gurewitz has acted as an informal A&R figure on every Joyce Manor release, listening to demos and...
Brother Wallace Explains and Performs the Song "Who's That?"
In a candid YouTube segment, independent artist Brother Wallace explains the origin of his latest single, “Who’s That?” and delivers a brief performance. The video blends storytelling with a live rendition, positioning the track as the catchiest song he’s heard...
Brother Wallace Performs a Live Set at the Forum at Minnesota Public Radio
The video captures Brother Wallace performing live at the UBS Forum, part of Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current, introducing his band and previewing his upcoming debut album. Wallace discusses his musical journey—from church piano in West Point, Georgia, to teaching K‑12...
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...
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...
Ed O'Brien on Adding Bird Sounds to His New Solo Album #EdOBrien
Ed O'Brien explains that his new solo album is driven by a visual, cinematic approach to sound, and that he deliberately incorporated natural bird recordings to shape its atmosphere. He describes how the music conjures images in his mind, and...
Ed O'Brien on Working with Jazz Musician Shabaka #EdOBrien
Ed O'Brien, Radiohead guitarist, explains his recent solo album’s direction, emphasizing a deliberate shift toward classical and jazz influences. He recounts how the desire to move beyond the familiar Radiohead framework led him to invite jazz saxophonist and composer Shabaka...
Jack Antonoff on Bleachers' 'Everyone for Ten Minutes' #JackAntonoff #Bleachers
Jack Antonoff uses a recent interview to explain the philosophy behind Bleachers’ new project, “Everyone for Ten Minutes.” He frames the album as a deliberately limited‑time broadcast, likening its availability to an AirDrop that expires after ten minutes, thereby rejecting...
Patti Smith on Her Memoir Bread of Angels #PattiSmith
Patti Smith's new memoir "Bread of Angels" is less a chronological autobiography than a tribute to the people who shaped her life and art. She frames the book around a single theme—gratitude—toward parents, late brother, late husband, fellow artists and...
Gogol Bordello Talk About Their Collaboration with Bernard Sumner
Gogol Bordello’s frontman recounts a landmark collaboration with New Order’s Bernard Sumner, framing it as a convergence of art‑punk heritage and the band’s gypsy‑punk ethos. The partnership was sparked at the annual Tibet House benefit held in Carnegie Hall, an event curated...
Patti Smith on "People Have the Power"
Patti Smith discusses the origin and purpose of "People Have the Power," a song co‑written with Fred originally intended as a rallying cry for Jesse Jackson’s anticipated presidential bid, which never materialized. Fred’s ambition was to create a song that could...
Lucy Dacus on the Benefits of Journaling
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus explains why she turns to journaling despite a hectic schedule, noting that her entries now appear roughly every ten days rather than daily. She describes the practice as a tool for perspective‑shifting: writing about a minor incident can...
@Meelsmusic on Writing About OCD on "The Wizard" #meels #crittercountry #ocd #songwriting
Songwriter @meelsmusic explains how a banjo‑driven track about obsessive‑compulsive disorder emerged organically while strumming at his grandmother’s house. The piece, one of his first banjo compositions, became a cathartic outlet for his own struggles and quickly turned into a vehicle...
@Meelsmusic on Naming Her Genre "Critter Country" #meels #country #crittercountry
The video features independent musician Meels discussing how she coined “Critter Country” as her genre after a branding class at NYU. She recounts that the class required a precise genre label, and she realized her songs repeatedly use animal metaphors, prompting...
Samia on Finding Beauty in Ugliness
The video features Samia reflecting on her aesthetic philosophy, emphasizing a preference for the unconventional and the imperfect over classic notions of beauty. She explains that conventional images—flowers, sunrise, serene landscapes— rarely inspire her; instead, she is drawn to the...
Mitski Talks About Touring Smaller Venues #Mitski
Mitski explains why she is deliberately avoiding arena tours for her latest album, opting instead for smaller, often unconventional venues. She argues that the prevailing industry mindset equates bigger venues with success, but she feels that larger spaces dilute the emotional...
Khruangbin Play "White Gloves Ii" In Studio
Khruangbin’s latest studio video captures the trio delivering a full‑length rendition of "White Gloves II," an instrumental track that has become a fan favorite during live shows. The performance, recorded in a minimalist setting, strips away vocal embellishments, allowing the...
Chutes on Making 'Melt ICE'
The video details the creation of "Melt ICE," a benefit album assembled in the wake of Alex Freddy’s murder. Initiated by musician Johnny Fuller, who records as Johnny Darko, the project was designed to provide a continuous fundraising platform for...
Chutes Talks About Local Lineup at Abolish ICE Show
The video centers on Chutes’ role in assembling the local lineup for the Dropkick Murphy show, a special acoustic set tied to an Abolish ICE fundraiser at the Palace Theater. Chutes booked six acts, primarily drawn from the Band Camp...
Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys Talks About the Role Artists Play when It Comes to Activism
Ken Casey, bassist and co‑founder of the Dropkick Murphys, uses a recent interview to argue that musicians have a civic duty to speak out when fundamental rights are under attack, specifically referencing the treatment of immigrants by ICE. He rejects...
Mitski Talks About the Demonization of Cats #Mitski
In a recent interview, singer‑songwriter Mitski explains the conceptual framework behind her upcoming album, describing it as a reclusive woman inhabiting an inherited, dilapidated house that mirrors a mind burdened by generational trauma. She uses the house metaphor to explore how...
Khruangbin — White Gloves Ii (Live for The Current)
Khruangbin took the stage for The Current’s live session, delivering a distinctive rendition of “White Gloves ii.” The performance, captured in a raw, unedited video, highlighted the trio’s willingness to experiment, trading conventional verses for a hypnotic, instrumental groove. The band’s...
@Valeriejune on Working with @MWARDMUSIC #valeriejune #mward
Valerie June’s video chronicles her transition from a longtime fan of M.Ward to a creative partner, underscoring how organic encounters can spark professional collaborations. She recounts hearing his tracks while working in Memphis cafés, where each song prompted her to...
Valerie June on Owls and the Importance of Positive Omens #valeriejune #owls #omens #orcales
Valerie June shares a spontaneous encounter with an owl that transformed a routine tea‑time into a moment of introspection. After three sightings over eighteen months, the singer turned to folklore to decode the bird’s message, describing owls as symbols of...
David Huckfelt Describes What Inspired Him to Record a Cover of the Song "Yours No More"
David Huckfelt explains why he chose to record a cover of "Yours No More," a pro‑immigrant protest song written in 2016 by the late North Carolina songwriter Malcolm Holcombe. He secured Holcombe’s permission before the songwriter’s death and intends the...
Mitski Talks About Finding the Sound for "Nothing's About to Happen to Me" #Mitski
Mitski explains the creative journey behind “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me,” a track from her latest album. She began the recording sessions with producer Patrick Hyland insisting the song be treated as a stripped-down rock piece, echoing her punk-rooted...
Khruangbin — Two Fish and an Elephant Ii (Live for The Current)
Khruangbin took the stage for a live rendition of “Two Fish and an Elephant II” on Minnesota‑based station The Current, offering listeners a stripped‑down version of the track that emphasized the trio’s laid‑back groove. The performance was framed by brief...
Khruangbin Perform "Two Fish and an Elephant Ii" Live in Studio
Khruangbin stopped in Minneapolis during their "The Universe Smiles Upon You ii" tour to record a live studio session at The Current. The band performed the album’s opening track, "Two Fish and an Elephant ii," offering a stripped‑down rendition for...
Khruangbin — Little Joe and Mary Ii (Live for The Current)
Khruangbin took the stage on Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current to deliver a live rendition of “Little Joe and Mary ii,” a track from their latest album. The performance was streamed in real time, offering listeners a rare glimpse of the band’s...