Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards out of its record 16 nominations on Sunday night, in a ceremony dedicated to those affected by Sunday morning’s terror attack in Orlando. “Love cannot be killed or swept aside,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the acclaimed show, as he accepted the award for best score. Among Hamilton’s wins were a Tony for…

In hopes to add another all-female rock band to the Minneapolis music scene, Cindy Lawson took out ads in local magazines in the summer of 1985. Soon enough, the City Pages and now-historic Twin Cities Reader ads caught the attention of drummer Karen Gratz, bassist Patsy Joe and  guitarist Roxie Terry, and The Clams were…

Each week on the Local Show, we’ll meet a new person from the Minnesota music community who has some fresh discoveries to share in a feature called “Ask a Cool Person.” These people will come from all corners of the scene, including record store clerks, recording studio engineers and producers, artists, writers, bookers, photographers, and…

Sean Anonymous, “Invisible Ink” Sean Anonymous dropped a surprise video this week, making killer song “Invisible Ink” feel even more confessional with black-and-white close-ups galore. Nicholas Perez directs, and Dimitry Killstorm is on the beat. Recap of Soundset 2016 The verses have been rapped, the blogs have been written, and the recap has been released; this video closes the book on…

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 Mark Mallman, Tess Weinberg (Murder…

Several members of Minnesota’s punk royalty came out on Thursday night to celebrate the opening of Chris Larson’s installation Land Speed Record — including Frances Gumm’s Paul D. Dickinson, who I encountered standing on the Walker Art Center’s rooftop terrace, drinking a beer. “I’ve always liked the Entry,” he said, looking out at the downtown Minneapolis…

They released two assertive, high-energy EPs; they worked with über-respected producers; they showed just how quick and commanding women can be; now, they’re about to say goodbye. GRRRL PRTY — rappers Lizzo, Manchita, and Sophia Eris, plus DJ Shannon Blowtorch — are breaking up this month, aiming to keep up with their artistic growth and their…

Justin Vernon had some news for Bon Iver fans: the band “will be playing a set made of NEW music” at August’s Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival, he tweeted Thursday. All new music? Some new music? An album? We shall see — and hear. (Pitchfork) U to honor Prince The University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents…

For this episode of the O.K. Show, it’s going to get loud. We’re talking to Natalie Grace McKay, the ferocious frontwoman of Twin Cities hardcore band Naive Sense. I’ll be honest: hardcore is not an area of expertise for me, but it’s something I’ve always been fascinated by. There is something so raw, so primal,…

As disco died, the venue at 701 First Avenue North changed its name from Uncle Sam’s to Sam’s and finally — on Dec. 31, 1981 — to First Avenue. The illuminated dance floor was removed, revealing checkered terrazzo tile — much to the surprise and delight of club management, who had expected to spend a hefty…