September 8, 2004 - In this episode of Future Tense, reporter Jon Gordon takes a look at Vocaloid, a music software that synthesizes human voice to produce musical results.
December 16, 2004 - MPR announces "diverse" musical format for old WCAL. Steve Nelson, program director for 89.3 KCMP, discusses the new program and plans for KCMP 89.3, formally known as WCAL 89.3.
January 21, 2005 - Bill Catlin reports on Minnesota Public Radio’s announcement of its third service in the Twin Cities, with launch of 89.3 The Current on Monday, January 24th, 2005.
January 24, 2005 - Minnesota Public Radio's new radio service KCMP launched this morning January 24, 2005. Nicknamed "The Current," the station's format features an eclectic array of music, including local bands that may have received limited airplay on commercial and other Twin Cities public radio stations.
February 2, 2005 - Midday broadcasts A Writer's View program event at the Fitzgerald Theater for a discussion on true crime with Minnesota author Judith Guest. The writer is accompanied by pianist Dan Chouinard.
February 16, 2005 - DJ Spooky speaks with The Current's Mary Lucia. He tells her about the book Rhythm Science and its companion CD, which features rare recordings of such writers as James Joyce and Gertrude Stein. The art of the DJ has changed a great deal in recent years. With the advent of digital sampling, the DJ has gone from spinning disks to creating sonic mosaics that constitute whole new works of art.
August 23, 2005 - Robert Moog, who's self named synthesizers that turned electronic currents into sound, died at 71. Future Tense’s Jon Gordon talks with Charles Carlini, the organizer of the MoogFest, about Moog’s legacy.
October 11, 2005 - Minnesota has often been called the choral center of the U.S. The state is filled not only with church and school choirs, but also professional choirs with reputations that extend beyond Minnesota's borders. This is a busy time for many of those choirs as they get ready for their season-opening concerts this month…but missing for the second year is one of the best-known choruses in the state.
January 23, 2006 - Local music critic Chris Riemenschneider joins Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer to talk about what makes The Current different from other radio stations. Riemenschneider discusses the revolutionary and eclectic nature of the initial playlists.
March 8, 2006 - MPR’s Karl Gehrke reports that the University of Minnesota School of Music and the SPCO are collaborating on a festival exploring Elliot Carter's confounding work. On first hearing, Carter's music sounds chaotic. It doesn't fit into preconceived notions of what "classical" music should sound like. There's no single, steady rhythmic pulse or recurring melodic themes to grab onto.