As The Current’s local music team, we used to find a lot of new music out at late-night shows, but this year, we’ve mostly been exploring releases through Bandcamp and SoundCloud (and our inboxes). Is it ideal? No, but it’s still rewarding. This year, Minnesota music has made us cry, dance, and cheer. Below, we’ve […]
If you have a music video you would like to be featured, send it my way at fridayfive [at] thecurrent.org! Lewiee Blaze – “Freedom Fighter” “Freedom Fighter” is rapper Lewiee Blaze’s ode to black activists, from protest footage from Minneapolis this past week to historical figures like Fred Hampton. The artist’s candid recording of events […]
This past week on the Local Show, host Andrea Swensson asked artists and musicians to discuss their reactions to George Floyd’s death and the community’s response. She was able to connect with Maria Isa and Muja Messiah and chat about who George Floyd was and his role in the community, as well as the necessity […]
Gully Boys – “Neopet Graveyard” Gully Boys — aka rockers Kathy Callahan, Nadirah McGill and Natalie Klemond — gallivant around the Mall of America in their first-ever music video. Filmed by Keegan Burkhard, “Neopet Graveyard” sees the Boys explore the Sea Life aquarium, the Old Time Photos studio, and the theme park formerly known as […]
When Maria Isa and Muja Messiah of Villa Rosa got the chance to travel to Cuba last November to teach a series of workshops and work with some of the country’s innovative musicians, they never imagined they would witness a key moment in Cuban history, the death of longtime leader Fidel Castro. Villa Rosa arrived […]
On stage at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds at Soundset 2016, Sway Calloway shared some words on hip-hop culture: “It’s multifaceted and multidimensional.” The Sway in the Morning host was introducing legendary hip-hop crew (and Jimmy Fallon house band) the Roots, who proved his point in one neo-soul-to-swing-to-beatboxing set. But all day long, Soundset brought together disparate artists […]
Muja Messiah: Angel Blood Soup Although it doesn’t require a political agenda, art is a worthwhile platform for social commentary. Many progressive artists end up only skimming the surface, underwhelming the listener, and diminishing the issues at hand. On Muja Messiah’s latest effort, Angel Blood Soup, the rapper takes advantage of his spot on the mic and […]
Warehouse Eyes: Carvings [bandcamp width=100% height=120 track=107022701 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small] Warehouse Eyes, an emerging five-piece dream pop group, create their unique sound by referencing elements of synth pop, slowcore, and indie rock, both at its sleepiest and most epic. Their debut EP, Carvings, is set for release this Friday, May 23, and the […]
