Podcast appearances and mentions of andrea swensson

Send us a textFolks-- it's a big one today.Jared and Ed are thrilled to talk with Andrea Swensson, author of Prince & Purple Rain: 40 Years, the gorgeous coffee table book that came out this year. Andrea is also the host of the official podcast and the founder of  Slingshot Annie Records, dedicated to preserving the Minneapolis sound. Andrea was amazingly generous with her time and it makes for a fascinating conversation about Prince, his legacy, working on the book, what it takes to get a record label put together and many other things, including, of course, her top five.This is a special conversation and we're excited to share it with you.Support the showA deeper dive into Prince than you probably wanted

Jason talks with legendary music producer Jimmy "Jam" Harris and music writer Andrea Swensson about her new book on Jimmy's dad James "Cornbread" Harris, and how her relationship with Cornbread brought he and Jimmy back together.

Hour 3: On the "Radd Report" Jason talks to Kate Raddatz about why cash might be a more acceptable Christmas gift than you think. Then he's joined by Jimmy "Jam" Harris and music writer Andrea Swensson about her new book on Jimmy's dad, "Cornbread" Harris.

Max Foizey interviews writer Andrea Swensson about her book "Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years." Also, Max reviews the movies "Rebel Ridge" and "AfrAId."

David & Phil joyfully welcome their friend Jimmy Jam and their new friend Denny Tedesco to "Naked Lunch" for a moving conversation about music, fathers and sons and so much more. Jimmy Jam shares an inspiring update about his ongoing reunion with his long estranged father, who is the subject of a great new book, "Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs & Salvation of Cornbread Harris" by Andrea Swensson, which you can buy here. Denny Tedesco tells how putting a spotlight on his legendary musician father Tommy Tedesco led him to direct two great music documentaries, 2008's "The Wrecking Crew" about the great studio musicians in Los Angeles in The Sixties and now, 2023's "Immediate Family" about a group of musicians who have defined The Seventies and made enduringly iconic recordings with the likes of Carole King, James Taylor, Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt, to name just a few. You can see both films on Hulu. To learn more about "Immediate Family," click here. To learn more about building community through food and "Somebody Feed the People," visit the Philanthropy page at philrosenthalworld.com.

Join Angela Davis at the Minnesota State Fair for a North Star Journey Live recording to celebrate the music, the man and the mischief of James “Cornbread” Harris. Cornbread is now 97 years old, which means he's been playing his beloved piano at gigs all over the Twin Cities for more than 70 years. Music journalist Andrea Swensson recently released a book chronicling Cornbread's remarkable life. “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris” recounts Minnesota music history — like what happened when Cornbread's band, the Augie Garcia Quintet, opened for Elvis, and how Cornbread's musical stylings helped create the Minneapolis Sound. The 'Deeper Blues' of Cornbread Harris But it also touches on a more personal story: Cornbread's reunification with son and music producer Jimmy Jam after decades years of estrangement, which was largely made possible by Swensson as she researched her book and became a fixture in Cornbread's life. Don't miss the fun, the stories and the music from this North Star Journey Live conversation, recorded Monday, Aug. 26, with Cornbread, Swensson and special guests at the Minnesota State Fair. And if you want more Cornbread, check out the “Anthology“ of essential Cornbread hits that Swensson put together, in both digital and vinyl form. Guests:Cornbread Harris is a legendary musician, whose career spans more than 70 years in the Minnesota music scene. He still plays a weekly gig at Palmer's Bar each Sunday night. Andrea Swensson is a journalist with a passion for music. Formerly a DJ at MPR's The Current, these days Swensson hosts the official Prince podcast, does deep dives into the Minneapolis music scene and writes books. Her latest is “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris.” Jayanthi Rajasa is multidisciplinary artist and archivist songstress in the Twin Cities. North Star Journey Live (formerly known as In Focus) is a live event series and reoccurring topic on MPR News with Angela Davis centered around what Minnesota's diverse communities need to thrive.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation

Join Angela Davis at the Minnesota State Fair for a North Star Journey Live recording to celebrate the music, the man and the mischief of James “Cornbread” Harris. Cornbread is now 97 years old, which means he's been playing his beloved piano at gigs all over the Twin Cities for more than 70 years. Music journalist Andrea Swensson recently released a book chronicling Cornbread's remarkable life. “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris” recounts Minnesota music history — like what happened when Cornbread's band, the Augie Garcia Quintet, opened for Elvis, and how Cornbread's musical stylings helped create the Minneapolis Sound. The 'Deeper Blues' of Cornbread Harris But it also touches on a more personal story: Cornbread's reunification with son and music producer Jimmy Jam after decades years of estrangement, which was largely made possible by Swensson as she researched her book and became a fixture in Cornbread's life. Don't miss the fun, the stories and the music from this North Star Journey Live conversation, recorded Monday, Aug. 26, with Cornbread, Swensson and special guests at the Minnesota State Fair. And if you want more Cornbread, check out the “Anthology“ of essential Cornbread hits that Swensson put together, in both digital and vinyl form. Guests:Cornbread Harris is a legendary musician, whose career spans more than 70 years in the Minnesota music scene. He still plays a weekly gig at Palmer's Bar each Sunday night. Andrea Swensson is a journalist with a passion for music. Formerly a DJ at MPR's The Current, these days Swensson hosts the official Prince podcast, does deep dives into the Minneapolis music scene and writes books. Her latest is “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris.” Jayanthi Rajasa is multidisciplinary artist and archivist songstress in the Twin Cities. North Star Journey Live (formerly known as In Focus) is a live event series and reoccurring topic on MPR News with Angela Davis centered around what Minnesota's diverse communities need to thrive.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation

Author and journalist Andrea Swensson visited the Afternoon Cruise alongside Youa Vang, the Vice-President of the Ramsey County Historical Society. Swensson will be doing a reading and signing of her new book "Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris" on September 12 at Springboard for The Arts for Ramsey County Historical Society's History Revealed Series. The book's subject, Cornbread Harris, will also make an appearance at the event. Listen to hear more context about Harris's remarkable life and Swensson's new book about that life.

Author and journalist Andrea Swensson visited the Afternoon Cruise alongside Youa Vang, the Vice-President of the Ramsey County Historical Society. Swensson will be doing a reading and signing of her new book "Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris" on September 12 at Springboard for The Arts for Ramsey County Historical Society's History Revealed Series. The book's subject, Cornbread Harris, will also make an appearance at the event. Listen to hear more context about Harris's remarkable life and Swensson's new book about that life.

James “Cornbread” Harris, Sr. is a living legend. At 97 years old, the rock ‘n' roll pioneer still plays weekly gigs in Minneapolis. Harris is not only known for shaping the Minnesota music scene, but as the father of famous music producer Jimmy Jam.In her new book, music journalist Andrea Swensson takes on the 70-year journey of Harris making music, from his first gig during world war two to putting Minneapolis on the music map in the 1980s to playing in bars even today. Swensson joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to discuss the making of the book “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris” which comes out Aug.12.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the masterpiece that is Prince's Purple Rain, we welcome author Andrea Swensson to discuss her fabulous new book celebrating the achievement. Andrea knew Prince and had been to Paisley Park a few times, plus she's an acclaimed writer, podcast host, and expert on the music of Minneapolis, making her the perfect person for this book. We discuss his legacy, his artistry, his impact on Minnesota, and much more. Also, we have a copy of the book to give away! There will never be another Prince!  www.andreaswensson.com  www.patreon.com/thehustlepod

Author Boyce Upholt's new book "The Great River" tells the story of the river, the Indigenous people who lived alongside the Mississippi and the white settlers who came along to claim it. Then, Here & Now's Scott Tong takes a trip to a Delaware Beach to see horseshoe crabs mating. The undignified process takes on a new resonance amid considerable concern about a decline in population, as the crabs are harvested for their blood and as bait. And, Minneapolis music writer Andrea Swensson talks about her book commemorating the 40th anniversary of Prince's "Purple Rain" album, which regularly ranks as one of the greatest albums of all time.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We celebrate 40 years of Purple Rain on the day it was officially released. We're joined by Andrea Swensson (Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years) and Duane Tudahl (Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions, 1983-1984) to discuss all things Purple Rain including talking about each track on Prince's masterpiece.

We discuss more purple news including new Celebration details, and a visit from Mayte. PLUS we unbox Andrea Swensson's new book (which doesn't make for great audio, but we did it!).

The 40th anniversary of Prince's best-selling album and film “Purple Rain” is next month on June 25 and 27 respectively. And on Tuesday, a new memorabilia- and picture-filled book will be released in honor of the occasion: “Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years.”Prince's story is told by Minneapolis-based music journalist Andrea Swensson, who is also the host of the Official Prince Podcast, a Minnesota Book Award winner and former host of the Current's Local Show. A long-time reporter on Prince and the Minnesota music beat, she calls her new book a “love letter” to his legacy.It all began in 2014 when Swensson assembled a 30th-anniversary package for MPR News and the Current.“And that really started this whole Prince adventure that I've been on over the last decade,” Swensson told MPR News on Monday.“I started covering his career so closely when he was still with us and have done a lot of work around his legacy since we lost him. And I really wanted to take this opportunity to put together something that captured so many of these amazing stories about him, and really spoke to my own personal connection to his music and to his life and what he meant to me.” April 2017 Remembering Prince at his home and studio October 2017 Andrea Swensson tells the story of the 'Minneapolis Sound' in first book Swensson describes the era of “Purple Rain” as iconic and world-building, calling the watershed film unrivaled in rock history. Prince's influence, she said, is almost impossible to untangle from the fabric of the music industry over the last 40 years. 'Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years' Swensson says she has interviewed each member of The Revolution — Bobby Z, BrownMark, Dr. Fink, Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin — at least three times.“He wanted us to be a gang … and by the time we got to ‘Purple Rain,' we were,” drummer Bobby Z recalls in the book. Bassist BrownMark affirmed: “We were experts … The way we rehearsed, I mean, ‘Purple Rain,' I could fall asleep and probably play it. That's how well we knew the whole set.”“We've had some really, really memorable conversations,” Swensson said. “This was such a pivotal time in all of their lives. Wendy Melvoin was only 19-years-old when she joined Prince's band. And her very first show is the night that they played at First Avenue and recorded ‘Purple Rain.'”The book was put together and contributed to by a hyperlocal team, including photography from Greg Helgeson, Tommy Smith III and Nancy Bundt; private archivist Rich Benson; designers Sotera Tschetter and Cindy Laun; editor Dennis Pernu and art director Heather Godin. It's filled with evocative photography, images of ticket stubs, posters and vinyl records, reflective quotes and iconic lyrics — transporting the reader back to the summer of 1984.Writing the tribute conjured up some unexpected emotions for Swenson.“There was something therapeutic to me about being able to revisit that meeting that I had with him because we did talk a lot about his feelings about anniversaries ... At the time that we met, he had two new albums in the can he was getting ready to put out,” she said. “So there was something really poignant and a little bittersweet to me to really sit with my notes and my memories of that night and be able to write about it in this way. And it did feel like some kind of full circle moment.”“Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years,” including a foreword by Maya Rudolph, debuts on May 21. There is a book release party on June 12 at Electric Fetus in Minneapolis; a pre-order is required.

This June marks the 40th anniversary of Prince's Purple Rain album and film. To commemorate the anniversary, Motorbooks has released the book Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years. Authoritatively written and including rare photography and memorabilia, this beautiful slipcased hardcover is the only illustrated gift book to examine Prince's most iconic album and film, Purple Rain. The album has gone on to sell 25 million copies and counting.In Prince and Purple Rain, Andrea Swensson, a Minneapolis-based journalist and host/co-producer of Prince | Official Podcast, takes a deep dive into the legendary musician's most famous album on its 40th anniversary and she's here to share some of what's inside the book, her memories of first hearing the album, her thoughts on it 40 years later and so much more. Purchase a copy of Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years Listen To 'Purple Rain' AlbumVisit Andrea Swensson's WebsiteListen To Prince | Official Podcast---------- BookedOnRock.com The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:FACEBOOKINSTAGRAMTIKTOKX Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

Join us on this podcast to hear from our friend, the incredible author and Minnesota Book Award winner, Andrea Swensson. She's here to share insights from her latest book, delving into the fascinating world of Cornbread Harris and his relationship with Prince. Tune in to discover all the amazing projects Andrea has been working on and get ready for an inspiring conversation.LinkedIn: Andrea Swensson

Check Playlist During this episode of The Five Count we discussed the new inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, clipped some coupons, and spoke with Prince | Official Podcast host Andrea Swensson about her new book “Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years.” Get your copy now!

On April 23, 2024 Cornbread Harris celebrated his 97th birthday. Ahead of his birthday festivities at Hook and Ladder on Thursday Harris took the time to chat with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 to talk about his life. Special thanks to Andrea Swensson for facilitating the interview.

On April 23, 2024 Cornbread Harris celebrated his 97th birthday. Ahead of his birthday festivities at Hook and Ladder on Thursday Harris took the time to chat with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 to talk about his life. Special thanks to Andrea Swensson for facilitating the interview.

On April 23, 2024 Cornbread Harris celebrated his 97th birthday. Ahead of his birthday festivities at Hook and Ladder on Thursday Harris took the time to chat with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 to talk about his life. Special thanks to Andrea Swensson for facilitating the interview.

On April 23, 2024 Cornbread Harris celebrated his 97th birthday. Ahead of his birthday festivities at Hook and Ladder on Thursday Harris took the time to chat with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 to talk about his life. Special thanks to Andrea Swensson for facilitating the interview.

On April 23, 2024 Cornbread Harris celebrated his 97th birthday. Ahead of his birthday festivities at Hook and Ladder on Thursday Harris took the time to chat with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 to talk about his life. Special thanks to Andrea Swensson for facilitating the interview.

On April 23, 2024 Cornbread Harris celebrated his 97th birthday. Ahead of his birthday festivities at Hook and Ladder on Thursday Harris took the time to chat with Sean McPherson from Jazz88 to talk about his life. Special thanks to Andrea Swensson for facilitating the interview.

Prince Rogers Nelson would have been 65 years old today. Instead, we're left remembering the Minneapolis-born musician's legacy. He died in 2016 at age 57.  This weekend, an annual birthday celebration is back at Paisley Park marking seven years since we lost him.   And most notably, the event will feature more previously unreleased music from Paisley Park's collection, the so-called “Prince Vault.”  For more, Andrea Swensson is with me. She is a music journalist and host of the Official Prince Podcast.

1mins30s - Prince's music in the 90s, albums Jim liked, plus bootleg tapes from '93/'94 - The Beautiful Experience and stripped back versions of Come and Endorphinemachine after hours in London.3mins15s - Emancipation was a major artistic statement, but was it a seminal work? Plus liner notes for The Gold Experience (and not getting paid for it).5mins - "Fighting for the freedom he knew technology offered...". And Chance The Rapper winning multiple Grammys from a self-produced tape...missing Prince6mins - Hit n Run part 1: 'A Creative Approach'.7mins30s - Getting commissioned to write the liner notes for The Gold Experience.9mins - A rebirth in the 90s & 'Bud Lite on guitar!' on NBA All Star weekend.13mins - Getting up, then staying up late, to watch Prince play aftershows...17mins - Prince & Madonna on the same stage...and still seeing some of the NPG and The Revolution around town18mins - In admiration of Morris Hayes19mins30s - Going back to Paisley Park...how do you feel about it?21mins - Opinions on the music after 2002...remaining 'an avid listener'. The Current radio show in MPLS.22mins30s - memories of the last show, a Piano & Microphone performance24mins - When Prince passed away...an energy change in Minneapolis: writing an obit 'through the tears'26mins30s - 'I would never write that now...' an open letter to Prince in the media28mins - Playing with local musicians on the night Prince died29mins30s - Jim's view on the music coming out retrospectively & Welcome 2 America32mins30s - 'Context is everything with Prince...', so stay open33mins30s - Favourite live show of the 1980s, and which live DVD should be released?

Jim Walsh - journalist and author of Gold Experience: Following Prince in the '90sIntro2mins - Were the 1990s Prince's 'punk period'?5mins - Challenging Prince to be more vital!8mins30s - the mad scientist out in Chanhassen, the feeling of greatness nearby10mins - Going back to Paisley as a museum? Being in the building together...11mins - the 90s, the forerunner to everyone having their own radio station...and preserving the legacy13mins - Thoughts on The Rainbow Children, a transitional album and critically renowned live shows15mins - seeing Prince over the years, often until 6am17mins - living your life to the fullest creativity18mins - seeing Prince for the first time in the early 1980s at First Avenue - "they were just badass, oh my God!"21mins - Allen Beaulieu photographer, studio was just up the street from First Avenue...where Target Center is now. Pictures eventually adorned all of Prince's early album covers.22mins30s - What kind of person was Prince? "Really warm and loving...he was know-able, that was my experience."25mins - Playing different styles of music every night at Paisley Park27mins - Jam of the Year tour memories from 1997, followed by an all-night performance... 'it was so good!'29mins - Middle-aged bad-assery at The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and The Superbowl30mins30s - Best guitar solos ever? 'Feathery blues at Glam Slam...'32mins - Carlos Santana, Larry Graham & Prince at the Northrop Auditorium34mins - Larry Graham's influence on Prince: Jim Walsh's view36mins - A fleeting sight of Prince in 2014, 'a deeply spiritual God-loving man'.

Mimi Parker, co-founder of Low, died on Saturday. Music journalist Andrea Swensson, who covered the Duluth-based indie rock band during her time at The Current, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to reflect on Parker's career and life. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.   We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here. 

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer kicked off election coverage with reporter Tim Nelson, who talked to voters outside the Kaposia Education Center in South St. Paul. There's a new business for Minnesota meat lovers, the aptly named The Meatery MN. The Mankato-based start-up connects consumers to meat products from small businesses around the state. As the unrest in Ukraine nears the nine-month mark, Minnesotans continue to work to help refugees find places to live abroad.  Music journalist Andrea Swensson remembers Mimi Parker, co-founder of Low, a Duluth rock band. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.   We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here. 

Minneapolis-based author and podcaster Andrea Swensson joins Joe & Kristen to discuss producers extraordinaire Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, recipients of the Musical Excellence award at this year's Rock Hall ceremony. This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

Engineer Jason Agel and tech expert Anil Dash join co-hosts Andrea Swensson and Shelby J. to discuss Prince's final work on Welcome 2 America in 2010 and his growing skepticism about selling music and retaining ownership over his work in the digital era, which he references in lyrics throughout the album.

Prince's longtime music director and keyboardist Morris Hayes joins Andrea Swensson to co-host an episode about the profound and prescient lyrical content on Welcome 2 America, with invaluable additional insights from Prince's former manager Kiran Sharma and his close friend, Dr. Cornel West.

Prince's trusted vocalist and collaborator Shelby J. joins Andrea Swensson to describe how the songs on Welcome 2 America first took shape at Paisley Park in early 2010. With additional memories from Tal Wilkenfeld, Chris Coleman, Elisa Fiorillo Dease, and Liv Warfield.

Suite à l'obligation de présenter un covid safe-ticket sous peu en Grande Bretagne pour chaque concert, Eric Clapton a annoncé dans un communiqué qu'il ne jouerait pas dans des salles qui obéissent à cette règle présentée par le Premier ministre Boris Johnson le 19 juillet. "Je souhaite vous informer que je ne jouerai dans aucune salle où la discrimination est d'application. A moins que tout le monde ne puisse participer, je me réserve le droit d'annuler un concert." Ce message était accompagné du titre anti-lockdown que Clapton a enregistré avec Van Morrison récemment : “Stand and Deliver”, juste avant "The Rebels" sorti un peu plus tard et toujours sur le même thème. Nous vous avions déjà parlé de cette nouvelle sortie PRINCE, Welcome 2 America, prévue pour le 30 juillet prochain et pour laquelle nous vous réservons une belle surprise ce weekend sur Classic 21! Prince avait l'habitude d'enregistrer énormément de titres dans son studio à Paisley Park et en 2010, il a travaillé sur cet album avec son groupe New Power Generation sans le sortir. L'artiste avait ensuite entamé une tournée en décembre 2010 avec son groupe en passant par le Canada et l'Europe avec notamment un concert de trois heures à Paris au Stade de France. Prince avait joué pour l'occasion plusieurs des titres de l'album dont "Welcome 2 America" et "Hot Summer" qui nous est dévoilé aujourd'hui pour promouvoir la prochaine sortie de l'album. En parrallèle à cette sortie, on découvre aussi le podcast The Story of Welcome 2 America, raconté par la journaliste musicale Andrea Swensson et la choriste et collaboratrice de longue date Shelby J. Elles y racontent l'histoire derrière cet album et les sessions d'enregistrement. Découvrez dès maintenant le premier épisode ici. Le réalisateur de clips Martin Kahan est mort d'un cancer à 74 ans, à Lakewood dans le New Jersey. Il avait signé des vidéos pour des groupes comme Rush, Kiss, Bon Jovi et Motley Crüe et était très bien installé sur la scène country également. Né à New York le 17 avril 1947, le réalisateur avait commencé sa carrière au Canada avec le groupe Rush, et plus précisément les titres " Tom Sawyer ", " Freewill " et " Limelight ". De retour chez lui en 1983, sa carrière avait décollé grâce à la proposition reçue de Columbia Records de travailler sur le single de Scandal, " Love's Got A Line On You ". Gene Gallagher, le fils de Liam, et Sonny Starkey, petit-fils de l'ex-batteur des Beatles devront se présenter, devant la cour en mars prochain. Avec un ami, Noah Ponte, le trio s'était mis en colère dans un bar alors qu'on refusait de leur servir une bière à minuit, à une période où la vente d'alcool était interdite à partir de 23h en Angleterre. Après avoir volé une canette de bière, Noah Ponte se serait alors adressé à un membre du staff asiatique en lui disant : " Foutu Indien, reviens d'où tu viens, on ne veut pas de toi ici. " Les choses se seraient ensuite envenimées quand les trois clients ont fait " tourner leurs bras comme un moulin à vent " dans les allées du magasin quand le staff a tenté de les empêcher de quitter le shop après le vol. La Cour les recevra le 28 mars, 2022. Ils plaident tous non-coupables et resteront sous caution jusqu'à la date du procès. Robert Plant, chanteur de Led Zeppelin a expliqué que ses rêves avaient changé pendant le confinement. Dans le dernier épisode de son podcast Digging Deep, il confie avoir vu des "paysages extraordinaires" avec des amis de son passé, dont le défunt John Bonham, mais aussi son fils Karac, décédé à 5 ans en 1977 d'un virus à l'estomac. Il explique que son rythme de vie très occupé "a créé une sorte d'énergie" en lui qu'il exploite "dans une autre partie de son être" . Metallica continue à dévoiler petit à petit le contenu de la réédition du Black Album prévue pour le 10 septembre. Cette fois-ci, nous avons droit à 3 versions du titre "Wherever I May Roam" : deux reprises par J. Balvin et Jon Pardi et une troisième version live inédite enregistrée au Day On The Green à Oakland en Californie le 12 octobre 1991. --- Classic 21 vous informe des dernières actualités du rock, en Belgique et partout ailleurs. Le Journal du Rock, chaque jour à 7h30 et 18h30.

Suite à l’obligation de présenter un covid safe-ticket sous peu en Grande Bretagne pour chaque concert, Eric Clapton a annoncé dans un communiqué qu’il ne jouerait pas dans des salles qui obéissent à cette règle présentée par le Premier ministre Boris Johnson le 19 juillet. "Je souhaite vous informer que je ne jouerai dans aucune salle où la discrimination est d’application. A moins que tout le monde ne puisse participer, je me réserve le droit d’annuler un concert." Ce message était accompagné du titre anti-lockdown que Clapton a enregistré avec Van Morrison récemment : “Stand and Deliver”, juste avant "The Rebels" sorti un peu plus tard et toujours sur le même thème. Nous vous avions déjà parlé de cette nouvelle sortie PRINCE, Welcome 2 America, prévue pour le 30 juillet prochain et pour laquelle nous vous réservons une belle surprise ce weekend sur Classic 21! Prince avait l'habitude d'enregistrer énormément de titres dans son studio à Paisley Park et en 2010, il a travaillé sur cet album avec son groupe New Power Generation sans le sortir. L'artiste avait ensuite entamé une tournée en décembre 2010 avec son groupe en passant par le Canada et l'Europe avec notamment un concert de trois heures à Paris au Stade de France. Prince avait joué pour l'occasion plusieurs des titres de l'album dont "Welcome 2 America" et "Hot Summer" qui nous est dévoilé aujourd'hui pour promouvoir la prochaine sortie de l'album. En parrallèle à cette sortie, on découvre aussi le podcast The Story of Welcome 2 America, raconté par la journaliste musicale Andrea Swensson et la choriste et collaboratrice de longue date Shelby J. Elles y racontent l'histoire derrière cet album et les sessions d'enregistrement. Découvrez dès maintenant le premier épisode ici. Le réalisateur de clips Martin Kahan est mort d’un cancer à 74 ans, à Lakewood dans le New Jersey. Il avait signé des vidéos pour des groupes comme Rush, Kiss, Bon Jovi et Motley Crüe et était très bien installé sur la scène country également. Né à New York le 17 avril 1947, le réalisateur avait commencé sa carrière au Canada avec le groupe Rush, et plus précisément les titres " Tom Sawyer ", " Freewill " et " Limelight ". De retour chez lui en 1983, sa carrière avait décollé grâce à la proposition reçue de Columbia Records de travailler sur le single de Scandal, " Love’s Got A Line On You ". Gene Gallagher, le fils de Liam, et Sonny Starkey, petit-fils de l’ex-batteur des Beatles devront se présenter, devant la cour en mars prochain. Avec un ami, Noah Ponte, le trio s’était mis en colère dans un bar alors qu’on refusait de leur servir une bière à minuit, à une période où la vente d’alcool était interdite à partir de 23h en Angleterre. Après avoir volé une canette de bière, Noah Ponte se serait alors adressé à un membre du staff asiatique en lui disant : " Foutu Indien, reviens d’où tu viens, on ne veut pas de toi ici. " Les choses se seraient ensuite envenimées quand les trois clients ont fait " tourner leurs bras comme un moulin à vent " dans les allées du magasin quand le staff a tenté de les empêcher de quitter le shop après le vol. La Cour les recevra le 28 mars, 2022. Ils plaident tous non-coupables et resteront sous caution jusqu’à la date du procès. Robert Plant, chanteur de Led Zeppelin a expliqué que ses rêves avaient changé pendant le confinement. Dans le dernier épisode de son podcast Digging Deep, il confie avoir vu des "paysages extraordinaires" avec des amis de son passé, dont le défunt John Bonham, mais aussi son fils Karac, décédé à 5 ans en 1977 d’un virus à l’estomac. Il explique que son rythme de vie très occupé "a créé une sorte d’énergie" en lui qu’il exploite "dans une autre partie de son être" . Metallica continue à dévoiler petit à petit le contenu de la réédition du Black Album prévue pour le 10 septembre. Cette fois-ci, nous avons droit à 3 versions du titre "Wherever I May Roam" : deux reprises par J. Balvin et Jon Pardi et une troisième version live inédite enregistrée au Day On The Green à Oakland en Californie le 12 octobre 1991. --- Classic 21 vous informe des dernières actualités du rock, en Belgique et partout ailleurs. Le Journal du Rock, chaque jour à 7h30 et 18h30.

Andrea Swensson is a music journalist, radio host and author. The perfect trifecta for “Rock Conversations.” She talks about meeting Prince, the “Minneapolis Sound,” Bob Dylan, First Avenue and, of course, “Funkytown.” Andrea is the host of the official Prince podcast, which begins a new season July 22. www.andreaswensson.com

Barb, Augustus, and Prince researcher Andrea Swensson dive into the second half of Prince's 1987 double album "Sign O' The Times."Show notes are available at https://ttttpod.com/

Barb, Augustus, and Prince researcher Andrea Swensson discuss disc 1 of Prince's expansive 1987 double album, "Sign O' The Times"Show notes are available at https://ttttpod.com/

Music journalist Andrea Swensson honors the life and work of Prince and shares her new article for Artful Living Magazine about his iconic Cloud Guitar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most casual Prince fans know Purple Rain was partially filmed at First Avenue. But did you know the title song is a live recording, taped at First Ave a few months before filming started? In this episode, we meet Prince and the Revolution at a benefit show for Minnesota Dance Theatre, where they debuted "Purple Rain" in support of dance and community. This is the fourth episode of The Current Rewind's "10 Pivotal Days at First Avenue" season. If you missed the first three episodes, catch up below. • April 3, 1970 (The day it all began)• Nov. 28-29, 1979 (The days that told the future)• Sept. 27, 1982 (Bad Brains/Sweet Taste of Afrika/Hüsker Dü) Transcript of The Current Rewind season 2, episode 4: "Aug. 3, 1983" ["Purple Rain" chords, but trembly and slowed-down. After several seconds, the music snaps into the original version, and we hear the lyrics, "I never meant to cause you any sorrow/ I never meant to cause you any pain."] Mark Wheat VO: After three episodes and 13 years of First Avenue's history, we've arrived at the song. The song that evokes an artist, a movie, and to some, a period of mourning: "Purple Rain." ["Purple rain, purple rain" fades into "Hive Sound" by Icetep] Mark Wheat VO: [over theme] I'm Mark Wheat. This is The Current Rewind, the show putting music's unsung stories on the map. For our second season, we're exploring the history of First Avenue, the downtown Minneapolis venue that has become one of the Twin Cities' – and the country's – greatest clubs. Most casual Prince fans know that scenes from the 1984 movie Purple Rain were filmed at First Avenue. The version of "Purple Rain" that you hear in the movie and the soundtrack was recorded live at First Avenue, but not at the same time the movie was filmed. Just a few months before the cameras rolled, Prince hadn't yet written the song. He first performed it on August 3, 1983 at First Avenue, during a benefit show for the Minnesota Dance Theatre. He had the show recorded, and when we listen to "Purple Rain" today, we're hearing him and the Revolution play it live for the very first time. In this episode, we'll explore the story of that song and that amazingly unique one-off performance, along with Prince's relationship to Minnesota Dance Theatre – a tale that captures Prince's ethos as a musician and a community member. So far this season, guest hosts have lent their voices to each episode of Rewind. But by this point, the coronavirus pandemic has complicated our production. So we here at The Current will step in to host a few episodes, including this one, which I was quite fond of from the beginning. It takes place when I had just moved to the United States, for good, in 1983. [rewind noise] Mark Wheat VO: The early 1980s were a transition moment in Minnesota music. Artists from two different local scenes were breaking out. On the indie rock side, the Replacements and Hüsker Dü were stirring up mosh pits all across the country. And Prince had just become a national star through the success of his fifth album, 1999. David Z: I mean, it was exciting, because Prince was our local star, and he had the beginning of success before this. I mean, he did do Dirty Mind. Mark Wheat VO: This is David Z, Prince's longtime producer – and brother of The Revolution drummer Bobby Z. David Z: So I mean, he wasn't a nobody, but he wasn't internationally famous at all. It was kind of a local thing, and we were all happy because we always wanted somebody from Minneapolis to make it. Mark Wheat VO: And before the world knew Prince's music – along with his slides, splits, spins and pelvic thrusts, he studied ballet with Minnesota Dance Theatre. [audio of a Minnesota Dance Theatre rehearsal] Mark Wheat VO: Renowned choreographer Loyce Houlton founded Minnesota Dance Theatre in 1962. They still teach classical and contemporary dance, and over the last 50 years, they've presented one of the best-attended performances of The Nutcracker in the country. In the '70s, the theater participated in Minneapolis Public Schools' Urban Arts Program, which Prince joined as a high school student. After Loyce's passing in 1995, her daughter Lise Houlton took over as artistic director. Lise Houlton: My mother and Wally Kennedy were developing this program in the Twin Cities for those us of who didn't fit in the traditional academic life. That's how my mother met Prince, through the urban arts program. And I think that she saw immediately that he had a special spark, that there was something – she used to talk about the combination of this insatiable appetite and this sadness that came together in some sort of combustion of energy, and I think because she had a similar quality that they had this common ground. Mark Wheat VO: You can catch the dance moves he mastered in Minnesota in some of his music videos. Lise Houlton: In the ballet world there's a step that's challenging and that we all have to do, and it's called an entrechat six, and it's where you do three beats in the air. You jump up, you do three beats and you land. Prince could do an entrechat six, and you learn that in a ballet class. That's not an instinctive move, because you do it with turnout, which is unnatural to the human body. He did tour en l'airs, where you jump in the air. Tour en l'airs. He did pirouettes with excellent placement, and that was combined with his jazz aesthetic and already his own personal grind. Mark Wheat VO: A few years after Prince graduated, Minnesota Dance Theatre needed financial help, and Loyce decided to get back in touch. As the Star Tribune reported at the time, she found out where Prince was staying in town and stood outside, waiting to ask if he could do a benefit show. Lise Houlton: But that was her style. If she believed in somebody, if she wanted to have a connection with an extraordinary talent, she did that sort of thing. That was her reputation as being a little bit crazy. But I think once again, that's where Prince and my mother saw their connection. Mark Wheat VO: Prince said yes, and First Avenue hosted the concert. Right after Prince played "Little Red Corvette," his biggest hit to date, Loyce Houlton took the mic to thank him for his support. It was guitarist Wendy Melvoin's first time on stage with Prince – and therefore, the first time the Revolution's classic line-up performed together, even though they weren't billed as such. Along with Prince and Wendy, there was drummer Bobby Z, bassist Brown Mark, keyboardists Lisa Coleman and Matt Fink, aka Dr. Fink. It was also the night Prince recorded "Baby I'm A Star," "I Would Die 4 U," and "Purple Rain" – right there at First Avenue, live. David Z: And you'll see that there's not very much added or changed to the original performance, especially with the song "Purple Rain." Mark Wheat VO: It was normal for Prince to have David record his performances, so no one expected anything unusual to happen. David Z: Nobody really knew there was a movie coming out. We just thought it was gonna be a live record, or whatever. Mark Wheat VO: And as Dr. Fink recalls, it wasn't the most comfortable environment. Matt Fink: We all knew it was a hot, muggy summer night and that First Avenue would be packed, and it would be very uncomfortable for older people to be standing in there. And we were right, 'cause we were all drenched with sweat within two minutes of taking the stage, because that's how hot it was in there. The air conditioning wasn't keeping up. It was back when people smoked cigarettes in clubs. So not only did you have [Dr. Fink laughs] all the heat and humidity and bodies and cigarette smoke, but it was just very difficult to be comfortable. Mark Wheat VO: According to First Avenue's records, about 1200 people bought tickets to the show. On an average night in 1983, a Mainroom show would run about five bucks, but tickets to this benefit were $25 – the equivalent of about $60 today. Including staff and an extensive guest list, about 1,500 people were in the club that night. First Avenue manager Steve McClellan was just trying not to overpack the place. Steve McClellan: I had to go and tell people, except for the really important VIP list, it's not good for you tonight. Because my goal was to keep my list under 100, Prince's was supposed to be under 100, Minnesota Dance Theatre was supposed to be under 100. That night that all went blowin' in the wind. The guest lists poured in, and that's why that night, everybody says, "Well, why didn't you watch the show?" I remember between having to get the numbers together – because I thought I would have to pay the Minnesota Dance Theatre that night, so I had to get all my costs together. Because it was a $25 ticket. We'd never done a $25 ticket before. And so I knew that the money was gonna be big. Mark Wheat VO: When we had Steve and veteran doorperson Richard Luka in for an interview, we asked Richard what he was up to that night. Richard Luka: I was at the back door, and I could see everything from behind. "Why isn't he playing anything familiar here? What the hell's this stuff?" And but then there also this people going in and out through the garage to this truck that was out there. Turns out they were recording everything. Nobody knew that there was gonna be a movie within a year or so of that. None of us knew. That's why when you come back to a night like that – well, you know, it had sort of a cultural impact further down the line. But when you're in those moments you don't know that. So it's like, "This jerk just wants to get inside right now." No. You're Prince's cousin. Aren't we all. No, you can't come in. And we're dealing with things on an interpersonal level like that, whereas up there they're doing this thing that's gonna be here, and then it's gonna go out all over the world later. Steve McClellan: I do remember hearing "When Doves Cry" the first time. There were certain times when I was able to stand and go, "Oh, pretty good." But, you know, life goes on. Mark Wheat VO: Maybe Steve and Richard didn't get to experience the full show, but Prince fan Heidi Vader couldn't tear herself away. Heidi Vader: It was so hot, so hot and so crowded. Mark Wheat VO: When the band played "Purple Rain," the crowd didn't know what to make of it. Heidi Vader: The song seemed to go on forever. So the audience was – you know – listening. They were paying attention, but nobody was freaking out and excited. And it was nothing like the movie, and nobody had all their costumes on, like in the movie. [Heidi laughs] Mark Wheat VO: According to Dr. Fink, Prince and his band had just started practicing "Purple Rain" a couple of weeks before the show. Matt Fink: Prince didn't write that one 'til the very end, which is more about like mid-to-late July of '83. He brought that song to the group. He hadn't finished the lyrics. He hadn't finished the melody. All he had was the chord structure and he came to us and said, "Ok, let's try this; let's just start jamming on this chord progression I've got for this song." And then we all coalesced into what you hear live. And even at that live show, he improvised his guitar solo somewhat. [about 10 seconds of the "Purple Rain" guitar solo] Matt Fink: He wasn't playing it exactly like he did it every time at rehearsal. Nor was I playing my piano parts exactly the same at rehearsal that evening. It just did what it did. Mark Wheat VO: Kevin Cole, a former First Avenue DJ who now hosts the afternoon show at KEXP in Seattle, remembers there being cameras that night. Kevin Cole: At that point in time, we were experimenting with filming sessions, or, filming performances at the club, that we would then give to the band. So there's footage floating around out there of that very first performance from a different perspective. [cheers from the live bootleg fade up] Kevin Cole: One of the cameras is to the left of the stage and above the stage, looking down, kinda right where Prince was playing from. And it's remarkable, but you're also seeing the audience. People are just stunned watching that song. Mark Wheat VO: In fact, the crowd was so quiet, David Z had to tweak the recording. David Z: When it came time for the movie, I cheated and put a crowd from the Minnesota Vikings in the audience track. Mark Wheat VO: Because technology at the time couldn't record wireless bass well, Prince added in some bass overdubs. Heidi remembers the song being long because it was. Prince cut five minutes and still ended up with a nine-minute song. David Z recorded the show in a truck from the New York-based Record Plant, which was considered the best in the industry at the time. Meanwhile, director Albert Magnoli was working with Prince on the early stages of a movie, which didn't have a name yet. He and Prince had gone through about a hundred songs that could go into the movie, but Magnoli felt they were still missing a piece. Al Magnoli: Interestingly enough, there was no "Purple Rain" in that 100 songs. Mark Wheat VO: During a recent trip to Minnesota, he elaborated in an interview with The Current host Jill Riley. Al Magnoli: So I went to him, after I lined up what I thought was the storyline and lined up the songs...and said, we're missing the song – that catalyst, in all of this journey – that song that releases you finally to become the person you should become. And he said, ok, I got another song to write. Mark Wheat VO: The director came to town to scout out locations for the movie and hear new songs from the band that night. When he heard "Purple Rain," he knew it was the one song he needed. Our producer Jackie Renzetti called him up and asked him why "Purple Rain" worked. Al Magnoli: Well, it had the right pacing and it had the right lyric content. It had the right soulfulness and emotion. And it wasn't like anything he had done before. To me, it was a unique sounding piece, and that's what I was looking for. He obviously knew he had that song when I said we didn't have the song. So he didn't immediately say, "Oh, I've got a song that would fit the bill." He didn't say that. He performed it, not realizing that I would approach and then say that could be the song. I said, "What's it called," and he says, "'Purple Rain,'" and then there's a pause, and he says, "Could we call the movie Purple Rain?" and I go, "Yes." Mark Wheat VO: By the end of the night, Prince had raised $23,000 for Minnesota Dance Theatre. That's the equivalent of about $60,000 today. Although Prince would go on to perform dozens of philanthropic acts – giving to music education and coding programs; buying houses for his band members; and paying medical bills for loved ones – few of them would be so public. David Z: He would give money to people without trying to use it as publicity. Nothing! And then he would do charity, but in his own way of the true meaning of charity, which is not get all these people recognizing you for it. He just did it and didn't want the recognition. He just wanted to do a good thing and pay it back. Mark Wheat VO: Our producer, Cecilia Johnson, asked The Current host and Prince expert Andrea Swensson to put his giving in perspective. Andrea Swensson: Prince was raised in a really pivotal time just in history, during the civil rights movement and during the political uprising that was happening in North Minneapolis in the 1960s. His mother was a social worker. He was also partly raised by Bernadette Anderson, who was a huge community figure. [She] worked at the YWCA and was just really admired as a leader. I mean, Prince's philanthropy goes back to the very beginning of his career. I remember his bandmates telling me stories of, even on their first couple of tours, they would squeeze in shows to play at community centers or play for the Deaf or do something out of their way to give back to the community. It was clearly something that Prince really valued. And that went all the way up until the end of his life, when he was funding projects like Yes We Code, and sending money to Baltimore, and honoring Freddie Gray in his music. He just had that spirit in him. I think it really goes back to coming up in North Minneapolis and being so involved in the community there and being raised by community leaders like Bernadette Anderson and like his mother, Mattie Shaw. It was just part of who he was. Cecilia Johnson:: So what else was going on in the early '80s when Prince was starting to have this huge rise, in terms of philanthropy or giving or like celebrity? Andrea Swensson: Yeah, well there's "We Are The World," which was a huge moment culturally, as all of these stars came together to record this song. There was Live Aid. U2 coming up – that was something that they really preached, and I think it just became part of the pop music culture, that in order to be, like, a good citizen, that if you were successful, that you should use some of your power and your money to give back. But also, Prince was very discreet about his generosity. He did not do it for his own name or reputation or personal brand. It was just something that he valued, and especially later on as he became more religious, explicitly, with converting to Jehovah's Witness, it was a huge part of his faith as well, that that was not something that you were supposed to advertise. That's not why you give. That's not why you give money or help people in the community. You do it because it's important and because you value it. Mark Wheat VO: We might not ever really know who all Prince helped. But we know he donated to a lot of programs centered on youth and community. At the Circle of Discipline in South Minneapolis, Sankara Frazier wrote a letter to Prince asking for funding to help keep his community boxing program going. Prince ended up making multiple contributions over the years. Our producer Jackie visited Circle of Discipline to ask how Sankara felt when he got the checks. Sankara Frazier: I wasn't surprised. I wasn't surprised. Prince helped a lot of people. He saw what we were doing, with all of the young people and our older people. We have – you know, the community comes in here. And he saw what we were doing, community-wise, we're putting a lot of people together, people that wouldn't be together, you know? This right here, the boxing, was something that they grew up around. He didn't box – as far as I know, he didn't didn't box – but they know the importance, and how it develops a lot of the youth into better people. Worthy cause. We're working with the community. Mark Wheat VO: Sankara was part of Prince's community from a young age. As kids, he lived with Prince and André Cymone, one of Prince's best friends and earliest bandmates. Speaking with Jackie, Sankara used the phrase "behind the scenes" to describe Prince as a community member. But although his actions may have been discreet, they were full of love for his cities. Sankara Frazier: Oh, Prince was, he was down for Minneapolis. He was down. All of the people that had opportunities and stuff that were with him, they got him here. You know, so he decided to put this on the map. That's why, you know, even making Purple Rain, he's putting Minnesota on the map. Yeah, I give him credit for that. Mark Wheat VO: To Lise, Prince's support of Minnesota Dance Theatre has been about more than just the money. Lise Houlton: He's continuing to have an impact on Minnesota Dance Theatre, because every time this subject is brought up, Minnesota Dance Theatre is right there in the story, and once again, for me, having been so surprised with this event that happened in the '80s when I was far away, to feel those repercussions still is such a gift. Mark Wheat VO: His legacy continues to inspire community work, especially among his longtime fans. Heidi Vader, who saw the August '83 show, told Cecilia that she sensed a vacuum in the fan community after Prince's death. She wanted to unite people behind something healing. So in 2017, she started a music education program called Purple Playground. Each summer, Purple Playground runs a two-week music camp where young students write their own music and record it. They also hear from guest speakers about Prince's legacy and what it's like to be a professional musician. [Purple Playground's song "Purple Playground" plays for several seconds] Heidi Vader: They write, like, five or eight songs, and then we record them. And we put them out, and they're on our website. And we ended up with these inspiring songs about supporting each other and loving yourself and believing in yourself, and all this stuff. That's what we were hoping but we didn't know it would happen – you know. They come in, these kids who – a couple of them knew each other, but a lot of them don't know each other. And then they're, immediately, like within an hour, they're like "Let's do this," back and forth, and yeah. So some of the songs will make you cry. ["Purple Rain" "twinkling" arpeggios and cymbal washes from the end of the song, with cheers from the audience. Prince tells the crowd, "We love you very, very much. Good night!" "Hive Sound" by Icetep fades up and plays under the credits.] Cecilia Johnson VO: And there you have it. Mark Wheat's final contribution to The Current and The Current Rewind. This episode of The Current Rewind was hosted by Mark Wheat. It was produced by me, Cecilia Johnson, and Jackie Renzetti. Marisa Morseth is our research assistant, and Jay Gabler is our editor. Our theme music is "Hive Sound" by Icetep. This episode was mixed by Johnny Vince Evans. Thanks to Brett Baldwin, Rick Carlson, Shelby Sachs, and David Safar for additional support. If you liked this episode, check out the series Prince: Official Podcast, which is produced by The Current and the Prince Estate. It's available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and beyond. We work really hard on all these music history podcasts, and if you'd like to give back or say thanks, we'd really appreciate reviews on Apple Podcasts or a donation via support.mpr.org. If you have any comments or stories you'd like to share directly with us, send them to rewind@thecurrent.org. The Current Rewind is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. It is a production of Minnesota Public Radio's The Current. The Current Rewind goes to First Avenue

Simply put, Andrea Swensson is a badass. Want to know how to get wine stains out of white linen? You go to The Pope. Want to know what’s happening in the Minneapolis music scene? You go to Andrea.     Andrea’s best known for her old job as writer for City Pages… and her new job as writer and host at Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current, where she hosts The Local Show… or maybe you’ve read her book, “Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound”… or maybe you know her for hosting “The Official Prince Podcast.”     What’s a “Music Archivist”? What advice do you have for artists reaching out to you to promote their music? What are your thoughts on diversity in the Minnesota music scene? And seriously… did prince really personally invite you over to his place to hang out??     Join me on today’s episode where we talk about all of this and more and to find out how you can win some Guinness swag and a signed copy of her book “Got to be Something Here.” (LINK IN BIO)     Also, MASSIVE thank you to Du Nord who are sponsoring the safety and sanitization of the podcast right now to make sure we’re taking every possible step to protect myself and guests by providing clean & sterile recording gear for these in-person recordings.      www.thecuriouspod.com/questions/andreaswensson   (612) 584-9330

The book, “Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound” by Andrea Swensson explores Minneapolis’ segregated music scenes and the systemic racism historically at play in the city.  Swensson speaks with KEXP DJ Kevin Cole about the overlooked bands and artists who shaped the city’s sound, the Highway Act that split largely-Black neighborhoods in Minneapolis and how Black artists, bands and venues were scrutinized by police and the local music industry. Swensson says Black artists told her they had to form racially integrated bands with white musicians as a form of survival. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

His songs will live forever, and he is adored by Minnesotans. This week on the show we talk about Prince. From his childhood growing up in Minneapolis, struggling to make it on the local airwaves as a Black musician, to his rise to stardom and sudden death. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Andrea Swensson, of The Current about writing about Prince, meeting him, and continuing to uncover his legacy.

Taja Sevelle was one of the first artists on the Paisley Park record label. She recorded the Prince-penned "Wouldn't You Love To Love Me?" (on her self-titled 1987 release); Prince's version was on the recently released Prince 'Originals' album. Sevelle, whose birthday is today, January 7, spoke with The Current's Andrea Swensson about Prince's mentorship and his fervent belief and support in her second career: urban farming.

Matt Fink - aka Dr. Fink - was one of Prince's first keyboard players and is a member of the Revolution. In conversation with Andrea Swensson, Dr. Fink reflects on performing, recording and touring with Prince. 'He was always transforming himself into something different with every record,' Fink says. 'There was always something new and original and exploratory.'

Actor, comedian and musician Fred Armisen ('Saturday Night Live'; 'Portlandia'; 'Late Night with Seth Meyers') discovered Prince shortly after the release of '1999.' In a conversation with The Current's Andrea Swensson, Armisen talks about how he discovered Prince and became an instant fan for life. 'Prince really became my favorite artist,' Armisen says. 'I really soaked up every lyric, every little drumbeat, everything about him.'

Matt Fink - aka Dr. Fink - was one of Prince's first keyboard players and is a member of the Revolution. In conversation with Andrea Swensson, Dr. Fink reflects on performing, recording and touring with Prince. 'He was always transforming himself into something different with every record,' Fink says. 'There was always something new and original and exploratory.'

Drummer and guitarist Jellybean Johnson came up as a musician in North Minneapolis, playing with - and competing with - Prince. Johnson is a founding member of The Time, and in this conversation with The Current's Andrea Swensson, Johnson reflects on Prince's influence in shaping the iconic sound and look of bands like the Time, the Revolution, Vanity 6 and more. 

Production/lighting designer LeRoy Bennett began working with Prince in 1980 and continued working with him until 1994. 'I was blessed that I started my life and this career with him,' says Bennett, who has gone on to work with such artists as Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. 'Prince pushed you knowing that you were giving all that you could.' Listen to Andrea Swensson's full conversation with Bennett.

Bobby Z first met Prince in the mid-'70s when the two were teenagers, and Bobby went on to become drummer for the Revolution. In conversation with Andrea Swensson, Bobby Z offers a philosophical look at Prince's incredible life and career. "Prince was hearing all the music in his head like Beethoven or other classical musicians," Bobby Z says. "He was kind of reborn in all these characters throughout the ages."

Bobby Z first met Prince in the mid-'70s when the two were teenagers, and Bobby went on to become drummer for the Revolution. In conversation with Andrea Swensson, Bobby Z offers a philosophical look at Prince's incredible life and career. "Prince was hearing all the music in his head like Beethoven or other classical musicians," Bobby Z says. "He was kind of reborn in all these characters throughout the ages." 

Prince's longtime collaborator and keyboard player, Lisa Coleman, joined Prince's band in the early 1980s and became a member of the Revolution. Coleman spoke to The Current's Andrea Swensson about her time working with Prince, both in the studio and on the road. "Hang around Prince, and stuff was going to happen," Coleman recalls. "And it did. I never met anybody that really followed through on everything they said like that." Listen to Andrea's full conversation with Lisa Coleman.

Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and musician Nile Rodgers talks to Andrea Swensson about his friendship with and the influence of Prince. 'Prince made such an impression on the world,' Rodgers says, 'that it was one of those magical forces that was undeniable.'

Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and musician Nile Rodgers talks to Andrea Swensson about his friendship with and the influence of Prince. 'Prince made such an impression on the world,' Rodgers says, 'that it was one of those magical forces that was undeniable.'

Brittany Howard, solo artist and frontwoman of Alabama Shakes, talks to Andrea Swensson about discovering Prince as a youngster and about how much Prince continues to inspire her work to this day. Howard also tells the story of the time Prince jumped onstage with Alabama Shakes at a show at Paisley Park and played 'the most epic solo.'

Prince's first guitarist, Dez Dickerson, talks with The Current's Andrea Swensson, taking us back to the early days, into the recording studio, and from the smallest clubs to the biggest stages. "From the very beginning, Prince had a clear idea of what he wanted, how he wanted it, how he wanted us to coalesce as a band, what he wanted to say, and what message that would send," Dickerson says. Listen to the complete interview.

In the early 1980s, Audio Engineer Peggy McCreary contributed significantly to several projects from the massively creative mind of Prince, including Vanity 6's self-titled debut album, The Time's sophomore effort 'What Time is It,' and Prince's '1999,' 'Purple Rain' and 'Parade.' The Current's Andrea Swensson connected with McCreary for a fascinating conversation about McCreary's time working with Prince, their professional relationship and their mutual respect for each other.

The Los Angeles Times' music critic Robert Hilburn was the only journalist to interview Prince about the 1999. In fact, Prince would not grant interviews to journalists again for several years after that, making Hilburn one of the last to speak to Prince before a lengthy period of silence from the artist. In researching Prince: The Story of 1999, Andrea Swensson had a chance to talk to Robert Hilburn, who spoke about meeting Prince in October 1982 and about seeing Prince perform leading up to the album 1999 -- most notably, at a 1981 show at the Los Angeles Coliseum where Prince opened for the Rolling Stones and was met with boos and hostility from the audience. It was an experience, Hilburn surmises, that further motivated Prince to take the music world by storm.

The Los Angeles Times' music critic Robert Hilburn was the only journalist to interview Prince about the 1999. In fact, Prince would not grant interviews to journalists again for several years after that, making Hilburn one of the last to speak to Prince before a lengthy period of silence from the artist. In researching Prince: The Story of 1999, Andrea Swensson had a chance to talk to Robert Hilburn, who spoke about meeting Prince in October 1982 and about seeing Prince perform leading up to the album 1999 -- most notably, at a 1981 show at the Los Angeles Coliseum where Prince opened for the Rolling Stones and was met with boos and hostility from the audience. It was an experience, Hilburn surmises, that further motivated Prince to take the music world by storm.

What does it mean to be on the receiving end of a Prince direct message? This week on Function, Anil takes us through Prince’s complicated relationship with technology through his eyes and the eyes of super fans Jay Smooth, social commentator and former host of WBAI's Underground Railroad; and Andrea Swensson, host and writer at Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current, where she helms The Local Show, a weekly show dedicated to exploring the Minnesota music scene. From being summoned to Paisley Park to being part of early crowdfunding and subscriber based models pioneered by Prince; we learn what it felt like to build a relationship with Prince online a decade before social media made artists accessible to fans. As Prince's relationship with technology evolved, he worked hard to control his image often times butting heads with his fans and record labels. ***Check out Anil's guest episode with Switched on Pop where he talked more in-depth about the ways technology influenced Prince's music. ***

The Current Rewind is a music history podcast hosted by Andrea Swensson. Songs in this episode: Lazerbeak - "Winging It"

Sharon Smith-Akinsanya managed marketing of the Prince-inspired nightclub Glam Slam at all three of its locations: Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Miami. In 2017, she sat down with Jay Gabler and Andrea Swensson to talk about running the clubs, working with Prince, and remembering the icon's legacy in Minnesota.

Sharon Smith-Akinsanya managed marketing of the Prince-inspired nightclub Glam Slam at all three of its locations: Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Miami. In 2017, she sat down with Jay Gabler and Andrea Swensson to talk about running the clubs, working with Prince, and remembering the icon's legacy in Minnesota.

We speak with Andrea Swensson about her new book Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound. She is an author, radio host, and music journalist. She hosts a weekly program about the Minnesota music scene, The Local Show, at Minnesota Public Radio’s 89.3 The Current and contributes to the Local Current Blog. Prior to joining MPR, she was the music editor at City Pages, where she founded the AAN AltWeekly Award-winning Gimme Noise music blog.  We also talk with James Rollins about his new Sigma Force novel The Demon Crown. His bestselling thrillers have been translated into 40 languages and they all explore some element of the real world in addition to maintaining their breakneck pace. His most recent works are The Seventh Plague, The Bone Labyrinth, and The 6th Extinction.

Sean Daley, aka Slug, from the hip-hop group Atmosphere, talks to The Current's Andrea Swensson about what it was like to come up in the music industry while living in the same city as Prince. Slug describes how Prince broke boundaries and set new precedents in the music industry. And Slug also tells the story of how he once performed freestyle rap onstage with Prince, who improvised on piano.

Andre Cymone is a lifelong friend of Prince and one of Prince's first bandmates. In this interview with The Current's Andrea Swensson, Cymone describes: playing at the Revolution's reunion shows at First Avenue; how he and Prince first met and became friends; and the music and events that influenced him and Prince as they were growing up in Minnesota in the 1960s and 70s. Recorded before a live audience at the Minnesota State Fair on Sept. 2, 2016.

Ida Neilsen, who performed in both New Power Generation and 3RDEYEGIRL, talks with Andrea Swensson about how she first connected with Prince and her funky new solo album.

Ida Neilsen, who performed in both New Power Generation and 3RDEYEGIRL, talks with Andrea Swensson about how she first connected with Prince and her funky new solo album.

Tech blogger and entrepreneur Anil Dash talks to Andrea Swensson about Prince's secret life as a computer nerd.

Tech blogger and entrepreneur Anil Dash talks to Andrea Swensson about Prince's secret life as a computer nerd.

Tech blogger and entrepreneur Anil Dash talks to Andrea Swensson about Prince's secret life as a computer nerd.

Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Jack Ohman talks about the most amazing moment of his career, poet Kevin Young reads from his latest collection, Minnesota Public Radio music host Andrea Swensson reminisces about the time Prince asked her to dance, and The von Trapps musically bid us adieu.

Atom Robinson is a bassist and backing vocalist who has long admired Prince and spent a few years during the 1990s touring with a Prince tribute band called Shockadelica. He spoke with MPR News host Tom Weber and Current music reporter Andrea Swensson about his life's intersections with Prince.

Atom Robinson is a bassist and backing vocalist who has long admired Prince and spent a few years during the 1990s touring with a Prince tribute band called Shockadelica. He spoke with MPR News host Tom Weber and Current music reporter Andrea Swensson about his life's intersections with Prince.

The Current's music reporter and Local Show host, Andrea Swensson, covered Prince in the last few years of his life. She talked with Current Morning Show hosts Jill Riley and Brian Oake about one of her first interactions with Prince.

The Current's Andrea Swensson recalls the sweet, funny, quiet encounters she's had with Prince over the past few years. It all started with a doodle, she tells MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

Grant and Vince mix it up with music journalist, Minnesota Public Radio personality and mercurial consumer of all things media, Andrea Swensson. Swensson is a voice for Minneapolis’ The Current, both literally and in print, and joins the show to talk about the importance, and the intricacies, of curiosity.

In this episode, I chat with Actress/Musician Courtney McClean about following your dreams and pursuing your passion, no matter the cost. Guest Bio:  Courtney McClean (born McLean) is a comedic performer/writer, musician, storyteller, actress, and co-host of the upcoming podcast "Bits & Ask." A native Californian, Courtney was raised in Orange County, spent a few years in San Diego, then a few years in New York City, then a few more years in the Twin Cities, MN. She's now currently based in Los Angeles, CA, and plans on staying there. Courtney has also authored numerous songs, stories, and jokes and presented them on stages all over North America. NYTheatre.com said she is “funny and endearing with a seductive twinkle in her eye,” and Twin Cities’ Metromag.com said Courtney “is uproariously funny… a superb storyteller.” Her band Courtney McClean & The Dirty Curls, pioneers of naughtybilly (dirty & bluegrassy comedy music), was recently crowned City Pages’ Music Artists of the Year 2014. 89.3 The Current’s Local Current Blog coined The Curls “Minnesota’s most ribald bluegrass group” with the release of their debut album on Stand Up! Records, “This One’s For Dad.” Andrea Swensson, The Current's Local Show Host, was the City Pages Music Editor when she called The Dirty Curls “Irresistible,” and Lucy Michell, then of Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, said live on stage that Courtney was “the Peaches of bluegrass.” Courtney has read alongside Ileana Douglas and Michael Urie in Minneapolis’ edition of Celebrity Autobiography, and had a story published in the anthology “Dirty Girls Come Clean.” Her comedic bluegrass stylings have charmed the crowds at the Hell Yes Comedy Festival in New Orleans, and at Stand Up! Records' Akumal Comedy Festival (in Akumal, Mexico, duh). She has been heard on the radio on San Diego’s old Star 100.7 FM, and Minnesota Public Radio, Twin Cities’ KFAI and myTalk107.1, as a frequent contributor to "Laughing Matters" with Robert Baril on MN's AM 950, and countless podcasts including her stint as a co-host on the Twin Cities' Hit Show. In 2011, Courtney was #52 of the Twin Cities’ City Pages 100 Creatives. For more information, please visit Courtney's website: courtneymcclean.com Courtney McClean and The Dirty Curls : YouTube Courtney McClean and The Dirty Curls : Facebook In this episode, we discuss: Books: Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life The Highly Sensitive Person The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles Music: Magic Spell : This Is The Kit Tori Amos Alanis Morissette Podcast : Conversations With Alanis Morissette  Comedy: Maria Bamford Chris Maddock : Point of Entry Broad City // Think Outside the Lines Podcast Subscribe / Leave a review on iTunes Subscribe on Soundcloud Subscribe on Player.FM Subscribe on Stitcher (Must have an account) // If you would like to stay updated on all things podcast-related, click here to sign up for the mailing list. // Return to main podcast page //

Episode #33 - Season 1 Finale, Andrea Swensson (guest), Gatekeepers, Tastmakers, Prince, MSP, by Moodhouse