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.
February 2, 2007 - The Current’s Bill DeVille joins All Things Considered’s Tom Crann to talk about why he is excited for the Super Bowl and possible songs Prince might play.
March 26, 2007 - The Current’s Steve Seel interviews American singer, songwriter, and musician Bobby Vee about working with a young Bob Dylan. Vee shares a story of Dylan playing in Vee’s band.
May 3, 2007 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer gets an introduction to the music of local rapper Brother Ali from The Current’s Bill DeVille, Deville comments on the Brother Ali’s second album, The Undisputed Truth.
May 3, 2007 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews members of the Minnesota indie music group Best Friends Forever. Songwriters Jessica Seamans and Briana Smith, who go by "Jes" and "Bri," often sing about a love with some staying power…their friendship.
July 31, 2007 - On this episode of Musicheads, guests Tony Lopez and Danny Sigelman talks with host Bill DeVille discuss Prince's Planet Earth, check out the world music sounds of Stereo Spirit by African musician Daby Toure' (and spend some time chewing on just what "world music" means anyway), and share enthusiasm for the John Doe release, A Year In The Wilderness.
September 28, 2007 - MPR’s Karl Gehrke looks at a major New York City concert series uniting classical and indie rock audiences that is coming to the Twin Cities. In the previous year, the Wordless Music Series has paired rock and electronic musicians in intimate chamber music settings with classical performers.
August 8, 2008 - MPR’s Chris Roberts presents Making the Scene: An Oral History of Twin Cities Rock, a report tracing the evolution of the local music scene from the mid-1960s through the '90s…and through the eyes and ears of key figures from each decade.
October 14, 2008 - MPR's Chris Roberts has a report on the one-man electronic band, Unicorn Dream Attack. The Chanhassen musician has found a way to inject warmth into the genre by emphasizing some of its more robotic qualities.
May 20, 2009 - Nico Muhly isn't 30 yet, but the protege of Phillip Glass is already recognized as a major force in contemporary classical music. The Juilliard graduate has composed for, among others, the Boston Pops, Chicago Symphony, and Bjork. Muhly sees himself and his music as a product of the internet age.