Jill Riley hosts The Current, 6-10 a.m. She joined The Current when the station launched in 2005, fresh from her college radio station, KVSC-FM, Saint Cloud State University. She has hosted a variety of DJ timeslots on The Current, from overnights to Saturday night's "Radio Free Current" show.
Connecting from his home in Los Angeles, singer-songwriter Dan Wilson joins Jill Riley on The Current's Morning Show to talk about a new single from Semisonic, 'You're Not Alone,' releasing Friday, June 26, and an EP to follow on September 18.
Dr. Keith Mayes, a professor in the department of African American and African studies at the University of Minnesota, talks with Jill Riley about the history of Juneteenth, as well as the necessity for more extensive Black history to be present in the curriculum taught in K-12 classrooms. 'We need these parallel, separate histories,' Dr. Mayes says, 'but if we really told the true story of the United States, we wouldn't even need them.'
Lady Midnight's debut album 'Death Before Mourning' feels like the cosmos, slipping in and out of fire, water, air, and earth. Her response to George Floyd's death seems to be just as fluid, depending on the needs she senses in herself and the community: duty, mutual care, and now, a moment of peace. On Friday, June 12, she joined The Current's Morning Show to talk to Jill Riley about healing and the definition of "safety."
Donald Thomas, aka Bayou, is an artist, designer and activist. Bayou joined The Current's Morning Show to talk to Jill Riley about his work on murals in the Twin Cities and about the wider work to be done everywhere to dismantle systemic racism and to uplift communities. 'It really is up to every individual in their own position to fight and push for change,' he says.
Jeffrey Bissoy is a former MPR News producer, a contributor at The Current, freelance reporter at the Sahan Journal, and founder of an app called Plugged. Bissoy spoke to Jill Riley about his experiences growing up as a black man in the Twin Cities, as well as the impact his app, Plugged, could potentially have on black communities nationwide.
Toki Wright has worn a lot of hats: artist, activist, The Current host, and most recently, educator. This week, he called up The Current's Jill Riley to educate about injustice, white silence, and the hard truths of "being Minnesotan."
Over the weekend of May 15-17, The Current hosted Sounds Like Home: a virtual festival of Minnesota music.
In a recent interview with The Current's Jill Riley, singer-songwriter Alison Mosshart talks about how being in quarantine has made her realize her ability to be patient. Mosshart and Riley also bond over their shared appreciation of muscle cars.
Jack Garratt is in the process of releasing his latest album, 'Love, Death and Dancing'; he's releasing the songs in phases to give his fans a chance to really get to know the songs. Garratt also speaks frankly about mental health. 'I realized I'll never be perfect, and that is not only fine, but worth celebrating,' he says. Watch the complete Live Virtual Session hosted by Jill Riley.
Singer-songwriter Lissie connects with Jill Riley to perform a live virtual session, and also to talk about the ways she's staying creative and connecting with her fans during this time of quarantine.
Glass Animals triumphantly return to touring and performing in the wake of drummer Joe Seaward's life-threatening accident that had put the band on hiatus as Seaward recovered. 'It's good to be back,' says frontman Dave Bayley.
It's easy to push play on the album and get lost in the sonic environment, all you need is a pair of headphones to appreciate the creative mind of Kevin Parker.
Jill Riley spoke with Nathaniel Rateliff on his new album 'And It's Still Alright.' Did he realize he was releasing it on Valentine's Day? Yes. Yes, he did.
The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards are coming up on Sunday, Jan. 26, and Mac Wilson, a longtime Grammys follower, shares some insights ahead of an important night in the music calendar.
Beck talks with Jill Riley about his new record, working with Pharrell Williams, and his recent high-profile recording session at Paisley Park.
Film director Albert Magnoli describes the events that led to his first meeting with Prince, and the making of the film 'Purple Rain.'
Following the release of 'No Man's Land,' his eighth studio album, Frank Turner visited The Current studio to play songs and to share stories of the historical women he sings about on the new record.
Steve Lukather, guitarist for Toto, spoke with Jill Riley about his work as a studio musician and the enduring legacy of Toto's song 'Africa.'
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of his film 'Say Anything...' John Cusack talks about shaping the character Lloyd Dobler, and the music used in the film.
Touring in support of his second album, 'Wasteland, Baby!' -- and his first to hit No. 1 in the U.S. -- Hozier and his band stopped at The Current studio to perform a set of songs and to share some thoughts and insights about the music with Brian Oake and Jill Riley.