Pop/Rock from Minnesota Public Radio

Peter Asher of 'Peter and Gordon' recalls '60s music in new show

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0600

Peter Asher began a singing career in 1964, as one half of the group, "Peter & Gordon," but Asher's greatest musical success came in a different form - record producing and management.

Random Vinyl: The Youngbloods - The Youngbloods (1967)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The Youngbloods are best known for their hit version of "Get Together" (c'mon people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now.) If you dig a little deeper into this record, past the hit single, you'll hear more of a sound reminiscent of The Byrds and The Lovin' Spoonful. We played the side one, track one, Youngbloods original "Grizzely Bear."

Random Vinyl: Jefferson Starship - Red Octopus (1975)

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0600

This record represents that mid-point between the era of Jefferson Airplane and the band's evolution (or devolution) to Starship. This record still had some of the original members of Jefferson Airplane; Paul Kantner, Marty Balin and Grace Slick) and had the big hit "Miracles." Jill can guarantee at least 5 copies are available in each and every record across the country.

Random Vinyl: Jerry Lee Lewis - The Killer Rocks On (1972)

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Jerry Lee Lewis scored his biggest hits in the 50's with song like "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On" and "Great Balls of Fire." The scandal surrounding his marriage to his teenage cousin almost destroyed his music career, but he was able to reinvent himself in the later 60's and 70's as a country act.

Preview of the new Bob Dylan album

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:07:00 -0500

MPR's Cathy Wurzer previews the new Bob Dylan album, Tempest.

Honey-Do: Woody Guthrie songs

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 10:35:00 -0500

Today would have been Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday. The Current is celebrating with songs by Mr. Guthrie, with some covers ... and other fun stuff thrown in.

Woody Guthrie and the Troubador Tradition

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:36:15 -0500

Woody Guthrie inspired many young musicians to follow be a wandering musician with a message. For The Current's coffee break on July 13, we asked for artists following in the troubadour tradition.

The Current Presents "Words and Music"

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:35:37 -0500

Ever wonder what kind of tunes some of your favorite writers listen to? I wondered the same thing, and knew I couldn't possibly be the only writer who relied on music for inspiration. I decided to create an occasional show to delve into this very question. This time on "Words and Music," I chat with Dylan Hicks, Ethan Rutherford & Jake Mohan of local band Pennyroyal, and poet Rebecca Lindenberg. We'll hear tracks from Smokey Robinson, Smog, Tortoise, Magnetic Fields, and more.

Dylan Hicks' debut novel "Boarded Windows" reviewed

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:49:53 -0500

We can never fully understand the hold some people have on us -- the way some figures loom large in memory and some take on a certain magnetism in the present. Dylan Hicks' debut novel, Boarded Windows, is a tango of sorts, both intellectual and emotional, between a nameless narrator and his shadowy father-figure.

The Revolution reunites to benefit heart health

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:45:10 -0600

On Sunday, Feb. 19, Prince and the Revolution, minus Prince, will reunite for a special concert at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

Overseas frenzy for Howler; back home, not so much

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:56:34 -0600

Howler started when Jordan Gatesmith and Max Petrek met at a Planned Parenthood clinic with their respective girlfriends. Despite their overseas popularity, hometown reception for their garage rock sound has been cool.

Slideshow: Polica at the Turf Club

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:33:58 -0600

Still in its infancy, the new band Polica -- fronted by Channy Casselle formerly of Roma di Luna, and featuring additional members from Marijuana Deathsquads, Vampire Hands and Digitata -- performed to a packed Turf Club on Monday night.

Mary Jane Alm In Studio

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0500

Mary Jane Alm and friends perform music on Radio Heartland from her new record, "Me and the Wild Blue."

In defense of U2

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:16:29 -0500

The TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is the venue for a huge concert Saturday by the Irish rock band U2. When the concert came up in conversation in the newsroom today, it exposed a deeper-than-expected cultural divide. On one side, there was open derision of U2 as dated, overblown and overrated. On the other side, you heard almost sheepish defense of Bono and company from those who have tickets to the concert.

Musical nomads deliver the 'wow' factor

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:32:07 -0500

Featuring horns instead of guitars, and a frontwoman who looks as if she had been lifted from another century, the music of Davina and the Vagabonds doesn't fit the traditional Minneapolis indie rock mold.

E Street Band sax player Clarence Clemons dies

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 21:32:41 -0500

Clarence Clemons, the larger-than-life saxophone player for the E Street Band who was one of the key influences in Bruce Springsteen's life and music through four decades, has died of complications from a stroke he suffered about a week ago. He was 69.

Bob Mould looks back on Hüsker Dü with 'rage and melody'

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:03:05 -0500

Bob Mould, co-founder of the seminal Minneapolis punk band Husker Du, as well as the hit-making alt rock group Sugar, has written an autobiography. It's called "See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody," and it chronicles a turbulent time in Mould's life.

Boy from the north country: Bob Dylan in Minnesota

Sat, 21 May 2011 11:31:48 -0500

A new documentary from Minnesota Public Radio News explores Bob Dylan's Minnesota roots and how they influenced the evolution of his music.

Chan Poling performs in the Maud Moon Weyerhauser studio

Fri, 20 May 2011 07:35:39 -0500

Minneapolis native Chan Poling has been in the business of entertaining since 1977. Jeremy Messersmith, the Laurels Quartet and Brian Roessler join Chan to perform some of his favorite film themes. Film-music expert Andy Trudeau will also join us to discuss some familiar cinematic scores.

Songs about me: narcissism in popular music

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A recent analysis of the last three decades of hit song lyrics shows a trend in recent years toward narcissism and hostility in popular music. Is today's popular music indicative of increasing self-absorption, or is defining a generation by the Billboard charts a bit of a stretch?

Patti Austin in the Maud Moon Weyerhauser studio

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Grammy-award winner Patti Austin stops by to talk about her 53 year musical career, a career that began at age 4 on the stage of the famed Apollo Theater.

Dancers explore the darker side of the Carpenters' story

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 03:00:00 -0600

For people of a certain age, the prospect of an evening of Carpenters music probably raises some mixed emotions. The brother-sister team of Richard and Karen Carpenter pumped out hit after hit in the 1970s. However behind the scenes the Carpenters were troubled. Karen struggled with an eating disorder which was to claim her life in 1983. That facade of pop music happiness covering a real life tragedy forms the basis of a new dance presentation in Minneapolis this weekend.

Rodney Crowell in the Maud Moon Weyerhauser Studio

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:26:29 -0600

What do you get when you grow up poor, as an only child of a drunk father and a holy-rolling mother? How about an acclaimed musician, songwriter and now author of the book "Chinaberry Sidewalks." Hear Rodney share his story, through words and songs.

1989: the Trashmen

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:10:24 -0600

More than a surfin' bird.

The return of the Jayhawks

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0600

After more than a decade apart, the original members of the Jayhawks have reunited. They joined Midmorning to talk about what brought them back together, and what's to come. The band also performed several songs, including a new song that will be part of its upcoming album.

Inside college admissions

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Many college applications are due at the end of the year, and most students have saved the dreaded essay and resume of activities for last. Midmorning discusses the undergraduate application process: how to navigate it, and whether the current admissions criteria can tell you if a student is worthy of attending a college.

Ike Reilly's Thanksgiving tradition means Minneapolis rock and roll

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:53:25 -0600

Whether it's food, family, or the four-day weekend, Thanksgiving is about traditions. One musical tradition that has come to mark the holiday in the Twin Cities is Ike Reilly at First Avenue. The fiery Chicago rocker and singer songwriter has made his Thanksgiving eve show in the mainroom an annual event. Reilly told Chris Roberts of Minnesota Public Radio's Arts Unit that he and his Minnesota fans have a lot in common.

Singer Darryl Holter celebrates Minneapolis' West Bank

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:10:53 -0500

Darryl Holter returns to the West Bank of Minneapolis to celebrate a time and a place.

At Sound Unseen, a quest for the Kinks

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 02:00:00 -0500

A mid-life crisis leads some people to buy expensive cars, take exotic trips, or even engage in illicit relationships. Journalist Geoff Edgers mid-life brought on a desire to try to get his favorite British band of the sixties to reform.

The Current Presents - Born Here: Chicano Rock

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Jacquie Fuller chats with Miguel Vargas, musichead and host of KFAI's Radio Pocho. From Richie Valens to Los Lobos and beyond, we'll listen to some really cool tunes, get a mini-history lesson from Miguel, and explore the Mexican-American experience through the lens of popular music.

An unconventional path to a charming life

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Joan Armatrading has collected honorary degrees and even accolades from Queen Elizabeth for her eclectic music spanning folk, blues, and rock. And yet she feels her character hasn't changed at all over her prolific 40-year career.

A visit with Prince at Paisley Park

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:20:03 -0500

Jim McGuinn, program director for 89.3 The Current, was invited recently to visit Prince at his Paisley Park studio complex in Chanhassen. He recalls his meeting with the man behind the music, and reviews Prince's newest album, 20TEN.

Special preview of Prince's new album

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:54:33 -0500

Prince's new album is called 20TEN and it comes on the heels of his triple album last year.

A rock and roll retreat, just for girls

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:18:51 -0500

Being a rock star is every kid's dream, isn't it? The dream is real for several dozen kids this summer, thanks to Minnesota's first rock and roll camp for girls only.

Spreading the good word of indie rock

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Local singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith is known for sunny, melodic pop, yet his newest album is all about death and dying. He joins Midmorning to talk about the new record, and why he occupies a "nether-region" of music.

U2's Bono undergoes surgery; tour status unclear

Fri, 21 May 2010 12:46:29 -0500

The manager of U2 says that frontman Bono has undergone emergency back surgery in a Munich hospital after he was injured while preparing for the group's tour.

A fanatic's ode to rock and roll

Thu, 13 May 2010 15:27:45 -0500

Writer Steve Almond is obsessed with music, a self-proclaimed "drooling fanatic" of rock and roll. He chronicles that obsession and it's many forms in his new memoir.

Duluth indie rockers Low reach for 'Heaven' with dance

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:00:00 -0600

Duluth indie band Low is trying something very new about a very old subject as band members are collaborating with Minneapolis choreographer Morgan Thorson on "Heaven," a dance exploring religious ritual.

Life in Peter Bognanni's 'House of Tomorrow'

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:00:00 -0600

St Paul writer Peter Bognanni combines geodesic domes and punk rock in his new novel. "The House of Tomorrow" is an off-kilter coming of age story set in small town Iowa. Bognanni, who teaches at Macalester College, says the book came about from a chance encounter.

Director says themes in Noel Coward's 'Brief Encounter' remain timeless

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:30:48 -0600

It's been 70 years since Noel Coward's movie "Brief Encounter" became an international sensation, but the director of an acclaimed new theatrical adaptation says the story has lost none of its emotional punch. The production by the British Kneehigh Theater opens at the Guthrie in Minneapolis this weekend.

The Current Music Blog: Posts by Peter Valelly (RSS Feed)

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

RSS Feed of Peter Valelly's posts to The Current Music Blog.

Grammy winners on Midmorning

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600

The 52nd annual Grammy Awards are on Sunday, with Beyonce, Lady, Gaga, and Taylor Swift among the nominees. Midmorning replays Grammy winners interviewed by Kerri Miller in 2009: Dave Pirner, Bela Fleck, and Roger McGuinn.

Ordway Center celebrates 25th year

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:00:00 -0600

This week the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in downtown St. Paul celebrates its 25th Anniversary with an open house on Sunday that takes a look back at the effort it took to build, and what it has meant to the community.

The Red Pens make their mark on local music scene

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:40:51 -0600

A local indie rock duo is riding a wave of fuzzed-out guitar distortion into the hearts of critics and fans.

Radio Heartland Live Holiday Concerts

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Radio Heartland celebrated the 2009 holiday season with the help of some friends.

Works Progress Administration on Radio Heartland

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Three members of Works Progress Administration perform on Radio Heartland.

Minnesota artists cover the Beatles

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0600

"Minnesota Beatle Project" is a new CD that features 16 Minnesota-based artists interpreting Beatles songs. One of the more intriguing tracks in the collection is a version of "Norwegian Wood" by Jeremy Messersmith and Zach Coulter. This is the first time they have recorded music together. Messersmith is a solo artist and Coulter is a member of the band Solid Gold. They spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer about the creation of their unique version of the song.

Sarah Hicks, Minnesota Orchestra pops conductor

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Classical orchestras have long featured popular music or pops to broaden their audiences. The recently appointed pops conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra talks about how she sells new music to audiences young and old.

Minnesota blues brought home

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Local singer Paul Metsa has performed and worked in music for nearly 30 years. He credits his upbringing in the Iron Range and his love of folk for inspiring his songwriting and his bluesman ethos.

U of M confirms date with U2 next summer

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:34:11 -0600

U2 will perform at the University of Minnesota's new TCF Bank Stadium on June 27, 2010.

Minneapolis' Solid Gold poised to take band to the next level

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:03:34 -0600

Following the release of its latest cd, "Bodies of Water," Minneapolis buzz band Solid Gold has spent the year mesmerizing critics and fans with its electronic pop. The band will cap off a breakthrough year tonight with a show at First Avenue.

Project Trio on Radio Heartland

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Project Trio performs live in the Radio Heartland studios.

Willie Murphy refuses to be pigeonholed

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:00:00 -0600

Minneapolis rhythm and blues living legend Willie Murphy has a new double CD coming out Tuesday. However, he uses the word new in quotes, for some of the material was recoded 30 years ago.

Willie Murphy on Radio Heartland

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Twin Cities music legend Willie Murphy talks about his new album, "A Shot of Love in a Time of Need"

The cast of the musical "Buddy" on Radio Heartland

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The cast from the History Theatre's production of "Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story" performs on Radio Heartland.

The Pines on Radio Heartland

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Pines perform in the studio for Radio Heartland.

Young Owatonna musician finds success on pop charts

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:35:25 -0500

A young musician from Owatonna who recorded his album on a computer in the basement of his parents' house is finding big success in the music business.

How to make a rock guitar documentary

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:35:00 -0500

When Oscar-winning director Davis Guggenheim persuaded Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, U2's the Edge and the White Stripes' Jack White to meet for an electric guitar summit there was potential for complete disaster, but it seems Guggenheim's gamble paid off.

Aerosmith cancels tour, including St. Paul stop

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:09:12 -0500

Rock band Aerosmith announced this week it will cancel the remaining part of its summer tour -- including a concert in St. Paul -- after lead singer Steven Tyler fell from a stage earlier this month.

40th anniversary of Woodstock

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:48:31 -0500

It was billed as three days of peace, love, and music, but it turned out to be much bigger than anyone expected. Forty years after the great gathering on Max Yasgur's farm, a nation reflects on the music and the meaning of Woodstock.

Hot Tuna's long journey

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

From their high school years through the turbulent times with Jefferson Airplane and their partnership in Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady have been making music together for more than 50 years. They join Midmorning to talk about their long-running musical partnership.

Christopher O'Riley on the classical connection to rock

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Classical musician Christopher O'Riley listens to alternative rock and hears the classical bones within. He talks about how he builds his interpretations for piano and performs his latest work.

Vibrant music scenes an important draw for cities

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0500

One of the most overlooked and under-valued reasons new college grads and young professionals move to the Twin Cities is its vibrant local music scene.

After 35 years with APHC Keillor looks back and forward

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:05:57 -0500

This weekend a large crowd came to Avon, Minnesota, for the special 35th-anniversary broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion.

Local band does good

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:32:01 -0500

From hometown shows to the top of the billboard charts, Soul Asylum has reached the heights of national success. Midmorning speaks with the band's lead singer about the track of his 25+ year career with Soul Asylum and as a solo artist.

The Baldwin Sisters together on Radio Heartland

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Christina Baldwin and Jennifer Baldwin Peden perform together in a production of "Sister Stories," commissioned for them by Nautilus Music Theater.

Lady sings the blues

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:48:39 -0500

Bettye LaVette stunned the audience at the last Kennedy Center Honors with a version of The Who song "Love Reign O'er Me". It's an example of the sometimes surprising music choices of the soul singer who is finally gaining a wider audience.

Saturday Night at the Stage Door Piano Bar

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Dan Chouinard and friends recorded live at the Fitzgerald Theater May 30, 2009.

New book makes the case that Bob Dylan has a great voice

Fri, 22 May 2009 05:00:00 -0500

A new book from the University of Minnesota Press explores many facets of Dylan's life and legacy. Highway 61 Revisited: Bob Dylan's Road from Minnesota to the World" touches on everything from Dylan's youth on Minnesota's Iron Range to his emergence as one of the most influential musicians in the world.

Randy Weeks performs on Radio Heartland

Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes a fresh change of scenery can spark the creative process. That's the story behind Randy Weeks' latest album, "Going My Way."

After 30 years, metal band Anvil becomes an overnight success

Fri, 08 May 2009 18:00:00 -0500

Friday night, some longtime unsung heroes of heavy metal music played in Minneapolis. Members of Anvil have been rocking together since the early 1970's and they are credited as being a formative influence on many of the big name bands today. Yet despite playing regularly for more than 30 years, until recently they were relatively unknown. That's changed as a result of a new documentary.

Jearlyn Steele at the Fitzgerald Theater

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:00:00 -0500

Jearlyn Steele concludes her statewide Troubadour concert series at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul with family and friends.

Two former Jayhawks make music together again

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:00:00 -0600

Minneapolis alt-country pioneers The Jayhawks may no longer be a band, but two of its co-founders have reunited as a folk duo. Mark Olson and Gary Louris have released a new CD entitled "Ready for the Flood."

Looking for love songs

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:05:46 -0600

Mark Wheat is looking for love songs. Every Valentine's Day, he hosts a special program on 89.3 The Current featuring some of the greatest love songs of all time. There are some songs that come up over and over again. But every year brings new surprises.

Savage Aural Hotbed at 20

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:00:00 -0600

Take the driving intensity of Japanese Taiko drumming. Add the rhythmic precision of drum and bugle music. Then place it in a post-industrial setting, and you have Savage Aural Hotbed, which turns 20 this year.

Bringing a message of change - from Africa

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:00:00 -0600

Vusi Mahlasela is known as "The Voice" in his native South Africa. A singer, guitarist, percussionist and poet, he came of age during the turmoil of the waning days of apartheid. He now plays around the world, singing of the joys and challenges of his homeland. This week, Mahlasela launches a U.S. tour with a concert Saturday night at the Ordway Center in St Paul.

Hedwig comes to town

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:00:00 -0600

A local producer is launching a new interactive movie program in the Twin Cities, and as a result, Hedwig is coming to town. Later this week the creator, star and director of the cult film "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" will appear as the first guest of "The Talkies" at the Heights Theater in Columbia Heights.

Ask the MPR president

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:32:02 -0600

Minnesota Public Radio President Bill Kling joins MPR's Gary Eichten in the studio to answer listener questions.

50 years since the day the music died

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0600

Fifty years ago this week, one of the defining moments in rock and roll history occurred, when musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash. Several events are planned to commemorate the anniversary in Clear Lake, Iowa, where they played their last concert.

Making the Scene: an Oral History of Twin Cities Rock

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:55:19 -0600

"Making the Scene: An Oral History of Twin Cities Rock," traces the evolution of the local-music scene from the mid-1960s through the '90s, through the eyes and ears of key figures from each decade.

Songs for the lovelorn

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:00:00 -0500

For centuries, lovelorn souls have written letters addressed to "Juliet, Verona, Italy." They're writing to the heroine of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. A production at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis takes a musical and theatrical look at "The Juliet Letters."

A history of Twin Cities rock music

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:24:49 -0500

"Making the Scene: An Oral History of Twin Cities Rock," traces the evolution of the local-music scene from the mid-1960s through the '90s, through the eyes and ears of key figures from each decade.

The music of summer

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Sunny days, warm breezes, and languid nights all make us think of summer, and so do certain songs. Midmorning takes a look at the great songs of summertime.

Film director celebrates 1994

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0500

While 1994 may not stick out in many people's minds as being one of the watershed years of U.S. history, it does for film director Jonathan Levine. "Much like 1776, just with more rap music," he says. It's the year he set his new film "The Wackness."

Steven C works his piano

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:30:00 -0500

St. Paul musician Steven Anderson, or Steven C., as his stage name goes, has built a thriving behind-the-scenes career in the "New Age" music industry as a producer and pianist. Now he's stepping out of the shadows with a new CD.

Where have the women gone?

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

From spoken word to breakdancing, hip-hop culture is taking off, but Midmorning asks why fewer women seem to be making a name for themselves in the genre.

Tapes 'n Tapes roll again

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:00:00 -0500

Two years after it buzzed to the top of the indie rock world, the Minneapolis band Tapes 'n Tapes is back with a new CD called "Walk it Off."

Vinyl's staying power

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:42:49 -0500

The vinyl record is undergoing somewhat of a resurgence in the Twin Cities music scene. More bands are putting their music out on vinyl, more consumers, especially younger ones, are choosing vinyl over compact discs.

Web comic reflects life in a "Nowhere Band"

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:28:00 -0500

A local webcomic is generating a buzz for it's depiction of bands that are going nowhere.

Mike Doughty takes a bite out of the MinneApple with "Golden Delicious"

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:30:53 -0600

Former Soul Coughing frontman and Brooklyn singer/songwriter Mike Doughty gets a lot of love from Twin Cities musicheads. Doughty has recorded two records in Minneapolis, including his new CD "Golden Delicious" with the help of Grammy winning songwriter Dan Wilson.

The many sides of hip hop

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Hip hop music appeals to a wider audience than ever. Poet and dancer Marc Bamuthi Joseph says he hopes to teach people of all ages and races that hip hop is not monolithic, and not all negative.

Grammy winners on Midmorning

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

With the 50th Grammy Awards coming up this weekend, we'll look back at Midmorning's favorite music shows, featuring artists who are no strangers to the top music award.

House of Mercy Band offers it's own view of redemption

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:12:31 -0600

One of the few purveyors of original country gospel music in Minnesota has released a critically praised cd.

There's method behind the madness of performing movie music live

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:00:00 -0600

The Minnesota Orchestra is about to launch a film festival. It is called "Sounds of Cinema." Beginning Thursday it will play classic movie music and even perform live accompaniment for two silent screen classics. Orchestra officials say it is not as simple as it sounds.

The Beatles' one-night stand in Bloomington

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:58:14 -0600

Bill Carlson was 17 years old when he got a press pass to photograph the Beatles during their one and only show in Minnesota. Few of those photos saw the light of day until recently, when Carlson decided to publish them in a book called "The Beatles! A One-Night Stand in the Heartland."

It's "All over but the shouting" - The Replacements get a book

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:00:13 -0600

Jim Walsh has written an oral history of one Minnesota's most beloved rock bands, the Replacements.

Dan Wilson enjoys his 'Free Life' in Minnesota

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 06:45:39 -0500

Minneapolis music veteran Dan Wilson, of Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic, has just released his first solo album. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with him about the new album and the song-writing process with collaborators like The Dixie Chicks and Sheryl Crow.

Radiohead ushers in a new era of music distribution

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The recording industry may have won a victory when a Duluth woman was found guilty of illegally downloading music, but critics say the record companies are clueless when it comes to the future of music distribution. Radiohead's new album may be a sign of things to come.

Whither the record album?

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0500

In the last 25 years, the compact disc has shaped the way music is made and presented to audiences. But will the Internet and iTunes make the CD and the album obsolete?

Talib Kweli live at the Minnesota State Fair

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:52:31 -0500

Brooklyn-born Talib Kweli first got attention as part of Black Star, which he formed with his high-school buddy Mos Def. He's now known for crossing over to work with and sample pop artists such as Justin Timberlake and Ben Kweller.