Listen to Looch: How are you?
'I'm feeling really anxious,' Mary Lucia says. 'Just wanted to check in with how you're doing, because I know I'm not alone.' So: How are you?
Mary Lucia
- Host, The Current
- mlucia@mpr.org
Mary Lucia has earned a large fan base with her work as a broadcast personality, writer, actor and voice-over talent. Lucia began her media career doing evenings at REV 105, co-hosted mornings on Zone 105, and hosted a talk show, Somethin' Stupid, on 1500 KSTP.
From 1998 to 2001, she hosted the local music show Popular Creeps, a two-time Minnesota Music Award winner for "Best Locally Produced Show." For her work at The Current, Lucia has been voted best FM radio personality by City Pages seven times. In addition to her radio career, she has also appeared in commercials and in live theater productions.
Lucia likes cats and dogs more than people, wearing dead people's clothes and taking long walks off of short piers.
Stories
Listen to Looch: 'Pretend It's a City'
Mary Lucia talks about a brand-new series from Netflix, directed by Martin Scorsese, that captures the observations and wit of New York City writer and humorist Fran Lebowitz.
Listen to Looch: 'Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President'
Mary Lucia talks about a new documentary from CNN Films, 'Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.' The film shows how Carter's lifelong passion for music allowed him to transcend divisions. 'I cannot think of a better recommendation for this time, this day, this moment in history,' Mary says.
Listen to Looch: a new documentary about the Bee Gees
Mary Lucia talks about a documentary that's capturing a lot of people's attention. Streaming on HBO Max, 'The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,' offers a look at the history of the band formed by the brothers Gibb.
Listen to Looch: explore rock history at 'The Rainbow'
When Gene Simmons describes the heyday of West Hollywood's Rainbow Bar & Grill as 'a bacchanalia,' that's saying something. Mary Lucia talks about a documentary, 'The Rainbow,' that explores the history of the music scene along Hollywood's Sunset Strip.
Listen to Looch: explore 'Minnesota Hardcore'
Mary Lucia talks about a docu-series from TPT Originals that's all about the Twin Cities' hardcore-music scene in the early 1980s.
Top 89 of 2020: Mary Lucia, host
Host Mary Lucia shares her favorite songs of 2020.
Listen to Looch: a stunning documentary about Shane MacGowan
Just as we're heading into the season when we'll hear the Pogues' classic song, 'Fairytale of New York,' a new documentary about the Pogues' Shane MacGowan has released. 'Its a beautiful film; it's an intense film,' Mary Lucia says.
Listen to Looch: 'Chuck Berry: The Original King of Rock and Roll'
As we head into the long weekend for the Thanksgiving holiday, Mary Lucia shares her thoughts on a new documentary about Chuck Berry, now streaming on many platforms.
Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs talks about 'Live Drugs'
Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs talks about the band's latest release, 'Live Drugs,' which SNL musical performances he pored over as a teen, and the intimacy of playing in smaller venues.
Listen to Looch: a Dolly Parton documentary to watch
Mary Lucia talks about 'Dolly Parton: Here I Am,' a documentary streaming now on Netflix that's all about the life and career of the iconic singer-songwriter and all-around entertainer.
Listen to Looch: interview with rock photographer Bob Gruen
Mary Lucia interviews rock photographer and author Bob Gruen about his new autobiography, 'Right Place, Right Time: The Life of a Rock and Roll Photographer.' Gruen talks about the many artists he's worked with and befriended over the years, from John Lennon and Yoko Ono, to the Sex Pistols, to Sean Lennon and Mark Ronson.
Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes talks about making 'Shore'
Mary Lucia interviews Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes about his latest release, 'Shore.' Pecknold talks about what it was like to work with a range of different artists, and how the pandemic changed his mindset about this album release.
Listen to Looch: digging into First Avenue history with The Current Rewind
Mary Lucia talks with Cecilia Johnson, producer of The Current Rewind podcast. In season two of The Current Rewind, the program looks at 10 pivotal dates in the history of First Avenue. Johnson talks about what it's been like working on the new season of the program, and she also discusses First Avenue's past, present and future.
Listen to Looch: why you've gotta know Clarence Avant
If you don't know the name Clarence Avant, the Netflix documentary 'The Black Godfather' will introduce you to this amazing man. Clarence Avant is not only a highly influential music executive, but also instrumental in Civil Rights, in politics, and in Black culture at large.
Mary Lucia interviews Go-Go's bassist Kathy Valentine about new memoir
Kathy Valentine met her future band, the Go-Go's, as a 21-year-old at Los Angeles nightclub Whiskey a-Go-Go. In March 2020, Valentine released her memoir, 'All I Ever Wanted,' an introspective look not only at her life in music, but her entire life up to now. 'I really was trying to tell my story, not anyone else's story,' Valentine tells Mary Lucia.
Listen to Looch: never take Ronnie Wood for granted
Mary Lucia talks about a new documentary, 'Ronnie Wood: Somebody Up There Likes Me,' which explores the life of the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood as an artist, musician and, frankly, a survivor.
Listen to Looch: a new documentary about Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones
Mary Lucia talks about a new documentary, 'Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones,' that covers the short but influential lifespan of the late Rolling Stones founder.
Listen to Looch: 'Mike Wallace Is Here'
This week, Mary Lucia talks about a documentary that looks into the life of pioneering TV journalist Mike Wallace.
Virtual Session: Beabadoobee
Beatrice Laus, known as Beabadoobee joined us from London to talk to Mary Lucia about her influences, what led her to writing music, and her thoughts on Charlie Brown. She'll also be performing songs from her upcoming record, Fake It Flowers.