Over the past year, we have looked to expand our local coverage in the community in ways that don’t exclusively involve the on-air or online methods. That’s why we launched Local Current Live in 2012: We had an aim to bring together three bands we believed were poised for a breakout to play a show at a venue in town. Through the support of the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, these concerts have always been free, ensuring that anyone in the community can experience the music.

For our first installment last June at the Cedar, we invited The Chalice, Van Stee and Chastity Brown to play, all bands who have subsequently proven they can sell-out shows with ease. In February, we put faith in three bands who had either just released a debut album or were prepping a new release. That gave us a great line-up at the Amsterdam including Prissy Clerks, The Ericksons and Greg Grease.

We have no intention in discontinuing Local Current Live, which is why we’re pleased to announce that we’ve teamed up with the Minneapolis Institute Of Arts for a new partnership called “Local Current Live at Third Thursday.” As many people know, the M.I.A.’s Third Thursday event each month invites visitors to experience the museum’s massive art collection through live music, drinks and unique experiences and interactions. The event has grown each month, which is why we felt bringing Local Current Live to Third Thursday would be extremely advantageous: bands will perform for even larger crowds and it’s still free.

That means we have 12 more installments of Local Current Live to plan! The collaboration kicks off on June 20, and we’ll be bringing Strange Names to the M.I.A. for two sets of music, fresh off the release of a 7” on White Iris and the confirmation of their booking at the inaugural 10 Thousand Sounds festival in downtown Minneapolis. The theme of the June’s Third Thursday is appropriately titled “Get Local.” We’ll give you more information as the time nears.

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