When it comes to Prince, Oct. 13 is going to be painted in purple. This Thursday morning, before the Xcel Energy Center opens its doors to the masses of devoted Prince fans eager to see the tribute concert, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is set to officially declare the day Prince Day in the city, and…

The nominations for this year’s American Music Awards have just been announced. The big headline is Drake’s record-breaking 13 nominations — but the biggest surprise might be Prince’s nomination in the Top Soundtrack category. Why is it a surprise? Because (a) Purple Rain was released in 1984, not 2016; and (b) it’s already won an American…

Minneapolis natives Farewell Milwaukee kicked off their pop-up tour supporting their new album FM at Minnesota Public Radio last Friday with a show performed — as every show on this tour will be — on top of their tour vehicle, a converted school bus. Being that it was 50 degrees, chilly, and windy, lead singer Ben Lubeck…

Tammy Robinson doesn’t hide her love. On Saturday in Red Wing, she was excitedly telling me about her charity, Soundstrings, and her passion for bringing Suzuki Method violin lessons to kids who would otherwise have no access to musical education. The table next to hers belonged to Schmitt Music, and within a 20-foot radius stood…

Bionik, “Ball Like Beijing (feat. Lizzo)” Producer Bionik and the one and only Lizzo deliver all of the Cartoon Network throwbacks with the new video for “Ball Like Beijing.” The song went slept on all summer, but the video might just launch it into the spotlight. Juniper Douglas, “Wood Rose” This video accompanies the noteworthy first single from Juniper Douglas,…

Now in its second year, Local Current’s DJ in Residence program is an opportunity for The Current to invite local musicians to take over our all-Minnesota music stream and share their favorite stories and music from the local music scene. So far, Local Current’s DJ in Residence roster has included Eric Mayson, Kerry Alexander (Bad…

The biggest revelation when Paisley Park opened for tours yesterday was that the studio has become Prince’s final resting place: his cremated remains reside in the venue’s atrium, in an urn that resembles a miniature Paisley Park. Beyond the surprise and awe, visitors had questions: how was the urn designed? Who made it? Details have now…

Even after seeing them at First Avenue, I’m caught in the middle with electropop duo Marian Hill. When I first heard their biggest single, “One Time,” I wrote down the song information and recommended it to a friend. I played their Sway EP most mornings while setting up shop at a serving job. Rather than fueling…

In this trusted place U can erase Every tear that ever rolled down your weary face These lines from Prince’s song “U Make My Sun Shine” are scrawled across a wall just inside the entrance to Paisley Park, enlarged so much that the font is slightly pixelated, cascading down around tourists as they step inside.…

This morning just before 9 a.m., Joel Weinshanker stepped out of the front door of Paisley Park. Wearing a purple tunic and obviously both emotionally and physically exhausted, the facility’s manager welcomed the first fans to the museum that Prince’s home and studio has now become. Promised surprises, fans got a big one right away: the music…