Jill Riley hosts The Current from 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.
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.
Ahead of Celebration 2019 Bobby Z and Matt "Dr." Fink visited Oake and Riley in the morning to look back on what it was like working with Prince and talk about the work they are doing to keep his legacy alive.
In town for a pair of weekend shows, Bob Mould stopped at The Current for an early-morning session hosted by Brian Oake and Jill Riley. In the course of the interview, Mould plays tracks from his new album, 'Sunshine Rock,' as well as from his back catalogue. And in a wide-ranging and fascinating conversation, Mould talks about everything from his musical evolution to his new home in Berlin to his memories of being an emerging musician in the Twin Cities.
Jenny Lewis put herself on the emotional line with this album. Fans will appreciate the insight into what makes her tick, and will likely relate to the grieving process, and the notion of moving on and coming out OK on the other end of emotional turmoil.
The band Dorothy's latest album, '28 Days in the Valley,' was produced by none other than Linda Perry, the extraordinary producer and songwriter (and former 4 Non Blondes frontperson) behind massive hits for artists like Pink and Christina Aguilera. Dorothy recently visited The Current for a session hosted by Jill Riley.
Even though he's gone, this final album, 'Black Velvet' was released to commemorate would have been Bradley's 70th birthday. It's a collection spanning his career - new songs, rarities, and covers - and the collection is meant to celebrate the life and musical legacy of Charles Bradley.
Even though JD McPherson told himself he'd never do a Christmas album, a little holiday spirit changed his mind. McPherson and his band recently released 'Socks,' an album of 11 holiday originals. 'It still just hits me as the most ridiculous album title of all time!' McPherson laughs as he and his band stopped into The Current studio for a session hosted by Brian Oake and Jill Riley.
Oake and Riley's Jill Riley shares her favorite songs of 2018.
The day after playing a solo show at the Turf Club in St. Paul, Ty Segall stopped at The Current to record a solo acoustic session for Oake and Riley in the Morning. 'It's really scary and really challenging,' Segall says of doing a solo acoustic tour. 'I'm kind of obsessed with trying to do stuff that either I shouldn't do or that's hard for me or that's frightening or just super fun.'
Judd Apatow has been a writer, director or producer (or all of the above) on so many iconic TV shows and films -- from 'Freaks and Geeks' to 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' to 'Bridesmaids' to 'May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers' -- but Apatow has been returning to his roots in standup comedy. Ahead of his Nov. 7 engagement at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Apatow spoke to Brian Oake and Jill Riley about his work.
Minnesota band Now Now stopped at the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair to perform a live set as part of Oake and Riley in the Afternoon. Between songs, the band members talked about their upcoming tour plans and bonded with Brian Oake over their shared roots in the Twin Cities area's northern suburbs.
Before opening Saturday's Music On-a-Stick concert at the Minnesota State Fair grandstand, singer-songwriter Lissie stopped at the MPR booth to perform two songs and to chat with The Current's Brian Oake and Jill Riley. Watch video of the performance and interview.
In an interview with The Current's Jill Riley, recording artist and former Journey frontman Steve Perry announces new music and a forthcoming album, expected this fall. Perry explains his deeply personal motivation to return from isolation, and he also shares a story about Prince that is pretty mind blowing.
Having released one of the most acclaimed albums of 2017, 'The Nashville Sound,' Jason Isbell, along with Amanda Shires and Sadler Vaden of the 400 Unit, stopped at The Current for a session performed before a live audience in the Forum at MPR.
St. Paul native Louie Anderson is so busy -- with his hit series 'Baskets' on FX, with a new book, a new comedy special and a string of standup shows -- but he still found time to stop by Oake & Riley in the Morning to share some stories with Brian and Jill. 'It's a magnificent love and responsibility to make people laugh,' Anderson says.
Neko Case returns with her seventh studio album 'Hell-On', out now on Anti- Records.
On Tuesday, June 12, all eyes turned toward a determined and confused raccoon just outside of Minnesota Public Radio's headquarters. The #MPRraccoon scaled the side of the UBS tower in downtown St. Paul. Overnight, the #MPRraccoon safely made it to the roof and was successfully live trapped. So for today's Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear for the #MPRraccoon? Send your requests.
Arctic Monkeys are back with their sixth studio album, 'Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino' out now on Domino Records.
David Byrne talks with Brian Oake and Jill Riley about his creative process, love of biking, and upcoming Minneapolis shows.
On Friday, May 11, Mason Jennings releases his new album, 'Songs From When We Met,' which was recorded in the woods near Eau Claire, Wis. Jennings, who describes it as an album about love and healing, stopped by The Current to talk to Brian Oake and Jill Riley about what inspired this output of new music.