Haley Bonar

Video

Current Birthday Bash transformed into dreamy love letter to the scene 5

Videographer Ron Johnson documented Saturday's show

Channy Leaneagh of Poliça

Poliça is one of four acts in Johnson's "love letter" video. Nate Ryan/MPR

If a picture is supposedly worth a thousand words, then this video is worth at least a million. Forget all those pesky adjectives and metaphors; Twin Cities videographer Ron Johnson (who by day works for news outlet Fox 9) gets the job done and recaps his experience at the Current Birthday Party in a mere two and a half minutes. Johnson attended Saturday night's show with Poliça, Suicide Commandos, Sims, and Haley Bonar, and found himself swept up in the energy of the night.

Slideshow

Haley Bonar at The Current's Birthday Party

Haley Bonar kicked off the second night of our birthday party, playing a range of songs from her lengthy catalogue including new ones from Golder released last year. She moved freely between Rhodes piano and guitar, bringing on The Bad Plus' Wendy Lewis for a few gorgeous arrangements.

Review

Polica, Suicide Commandos, Sims, and Haley Bonar wrap up the Current's birthday party

The much-buzzed about headliner lived up to the hype

Sims invades the sold-out crowd

The Doomtree MC flew in just to play the show. All photos by Nate Ryan/MPR

Whereas Friday night's birthday bash featured several somewhat similar rock acts building up the momentum until the night's end, Saturday was a more mixed-bag affair that placed a heavy emphasis on musical discovery. It ended up giving the night a different kind of forward push, as the crowd giddily anticipated what would come next.

Slideshow

Current Birthday Party: Saturday 1/28

The second night of 89.3 The Current's 7th Birthday Party at First Ave was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who made it possible — our fans and members, and also all of the amazing Minnesota musicians who performed. Read Andrea Swensson's recap here. Check out our photos from throughout the night, take a look at what people are saying about the party below and share your own thoughts below or by using the #CurrentBday hashtag on Twitter. Thanks again to all of our amazing fans, members and supporters!

News

Gramma's Boyfriend releasing new 7" on Kings of Leon's label

KOL imprint Serpents & Snakes will release limited run this spring

Gramma's Boyfriend

Haley Bonar takes on a new persona Video still by Dan Huiting

In one hefty co-sign, the Kings of Leon-owned imprint Serpents & Snakes will release a limited run of the new 7" from Minneapolis rock group Gramma's Boyfriend this spring. Readers will likely recognize Gramma's Boyfriend as the side project of folk-pop songwriter Haley Bonar, who takes on a much more aggressive persona to howl and yelp her way through the punk and electro jams crafted by her dextrous collaborators Jeremy Ylvisaker (The Cloak Ox, Andrew Bird), Jacob Hanson (Halloween, Alaska), Luke Anderson (Rogue Valley), and Michael Lewis (Happy Apple, Andrew Bird, Bon Iver).