Minnesota has claim to a wealth of creativity; music is no exception. Almost every genre can be heard within our state’s borders. The results range from a simple act of joy, to an influence that reverberates far beyond (the “Minneapolis Sound” is a prime example). The collection below is an introduction to the diverse and talented artists who have called Minnesota home, and the art they share with all of us.
February 7, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Minneapolis rapper and emcee Carnage the Executioner, aka Terrell Woods. Roberts interviews Carnage the Executioner about his personal life and album “Worth the Wait." Roberts also talks with others in the music industry about Carnage the Executioner’s talents.
February 21, 2011 - Minneapolis rapper Sims has a reputation for being the most overtly-political emcee in the hip hop crew, Doomtree, and a track on his “Bad Time Zoo” CD takes aim at ‘progressive’ public radio listeners.
April 5, 2011 - St. Paul singer/songwriter Terry Eason is committed to reaching a formidable goal -- writing and recording a song a day for an entire year. MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Eason and his spouse about the unique musical undertaking.
April 15, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Minneapolis singer-songwriter Ben Weaver about his songcraft in “East Jefferson.”
May 20, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Bryan Nichols, leader of The Bryan Nichols Quintet. Nichols discusses 'team' approach to improvisation in the jazz group.
May 21, 2011 - The Current presents “Boy from the North Country: Bob Dylan in Minnesota,” an MPR News documentary which explores Bob Dylan's Minnesota roots and how they influenced the evolution of his music.
June 14, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Bob Mould, co-founder of the seminal Minneapolis punk band Husker Du, as well as the hit-making alt rock group Sugar. Mould discusses and reads from his autobiography "See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody." Segment includes various comments from music contemporaries.
July 6, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on "Pianos on Parade," a collaboration between the city of St. Paul and the local non-profit "Keys 4/4 Kids."
July 15, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Davina and the Vagabonds and their CD "Black Cloud." 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.
September 2, 2011 - The Minneapolis indie rock band Patches and Gretchen presents a theatrical debut of the group's wacky and whimsical variety show, named "Headquarters and Dimes." MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews band members Gretchen Seichrist and Tommy Tousey, as well as local fans of group’s work.