The Current Music News

The Current Music News

The Current Music News is the essential daily listen for fans of all genres to catch up on what matters in the music world. Hosts Jay Gabler and Jade break down industry developments to explain how they affect you, fill you in on breaking news about upcoming releases, and surprise you with strange-but-true stories. It’s a quick, fun and informative rundown that will make you think, make you laugh, and help you understand what’s happening onstage and behind the scenes in popular music. There’s a new episode every weekday, about ten minutes long and ready for you to enjoy while you commute, exercise, cook, or tune your guitar.

Episodes

Neve Campbell talks about playing Zach Sobiech's mom in 'Clouds'

October 16, 2020 • 8 mins
In 'Clouds,' the Zach Sobiech biopic debuting today on Disney+, Neve Campbell plays Laura Sobiech - the mother of the young Minnesota man who wrote and recorded the inspiring title song before dying of cancer at age 18.
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Why can't musicians get politicians to stop playing their songs?

October 1, 2020 • 5 mins
Artists including Neil Young, the Rolling Stones, and R.E.M. have asked the President to stop playing their music at campaign rallies - and this isn't the first election cycle where musicians have clashed with politicians over the unauthorized use of their songs. Why can't musicians get politicians to stop using their music? Jay and Jade explain.
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SXSW 2021 goes virtual, but holds out hope for IRL option

September 23, 2020 • 9 mins
The festival has now announced that its spring 2021 event will be at least partially virtual. At the same time, SXSW hasn't entirely given up hope that a live-in-person option could be part of the mix. 'SXSW is working with the City of Austin and public health authorities on plans for a physical event in 2021.'
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Lana Del Rey, Jeff Tweedy, Mariah Carey, David Byrne plan big music books for fall 2020

September 16, 2020 • 5 mins
all is always a big publishing season, and this fall is going to see a slew of new books for music fans - including a poetry book by Lana Del Rey, a songwriting guide from Jeff Tweedy, a Mariah Carey memoir, and a book inspired by David Byrne's sensational Broadway show.
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New Music Roundup

September 11, 2020 • 7 mins
Discover a bunch of new songs. From Janelle Monae to SZA, Gorillaz, New Order and the newest Sylvan Esso track, there are some heavy hitters this week.
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Radio K's Julian Green on how college radio is showing up in 2020

September 4, 2020 • 11 mins
What's it like running a college radio station in fall 2020, as students return to campus amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic? Jay Gabler talked with Julian Green, program director of Radio K at the University of Minnesota.
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The 2020 MTV VMAs and the best videos to come out of quarantine

August 31, 2020 • 6 mins
Jade and Jay talk about the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards and highlight a few of the best videos to come out of quarantine.
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Music world works to guard mental and physical health in COVID era

August 27, 2020 • 7 mins
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the planet, the music world is working to protect the mental and physical health of artists and fans. A 'test' concert in Germany sought to pave the way towards a return to live music.
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In pandemic tech boom, who's making money on music?

August 25, 2020 • 5 mins
While many workers struggle amidst the economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, America's tech giants are booming. How much of that money is coming from music?
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Why did it take 18 years to file charges in the murder of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay?

August 20, 2020 • 8 mins
News broke this week that criminal charges have been filed in the 2002 killing of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay. Why has this crime taken two decades to crack?
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How is the pandemic permanently changing the music world?

August 18, 2020 • 8 mins
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the music world - in some ways that will change back, and in some ways that won't.
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Author and pop historian Maria Sherman on boy bands

August 13, 2020 • 15 mins
Jay Gabler interviews Maria Sherman, author of 'Larger Than Life: A History of Boy Bands from NKOTB to BTS.' Subjects of discussion include boy bands vs. girl groups; K-pop; Brockhampton and the future of the boy band; underrated boy bands (remember Magneto?); and the ultimate boy band song of all time.
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From Smash Mouth at Sturgis to illegal raves in Europe, music draws thousands outdoors

August 12, 2020 • 7 mins
As the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, huge crowds are gathering for outdoor concerts. Are they safe?
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How TikTok became a hit machine

August 6, 2020 • 8 mins
President Trump has threatened to ban TikTok, the China-owned video app that now has an enormous role in driving music discovery. Whether you're a TikTok addict or have absolutely no idea what it is, Jade and Jay break down the reasons why TikTok turmoil has the attention of everyone in the music world right now.
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Spotify CEO says the album cycle is over

August 4, 2020 • 7 mins
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Spotify is doing well. The company's most recent quarterly earnings statement says that the number of listeners -- including the numbers of paying listeners -- is on the rise. In an interview with Music Ally, CEO Daniel Ek sounded frustrated with artists who complain that they're not getting much of that streaming revenue. Jay and Jade talk about Ek's pronouncement that 'you can't record music...
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Is every artist an indie artist now?

July 30, 2020 • 12 mins
Taylor Swift isn't an 'independent artist' in the conventional sense, but her new album 'folklore' was assembled remotely with indie artists like Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon. From Nur-D to Charli XCX, everyone's going DIY these days. Will this become the new normal?
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Save Our Stages Act introduced to help independent venues

July 28, 2020 • 9 mins
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) have introduced a Save Our Stages Act. If passed, it would establish a $10 billion grant program and provide other measures to help live music venues survive the COVID-19 shutdown.
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Musicians lost to COVID-19

July 23, 2020 • 7 mins
As the coronavirus crisis continues, we look at some of the sadly many musicians - from world-famous to quietly impactful - we've lost to COVID-19.
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Muzak goes bankrupt

July 14, 2020 • 7 mins
Mood Media, the owner of the Muzak brand, is filing for bankruptcy. Is this the end of an era for elevator music? Jay and Jade gather on Instagram Live to discuss.
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Michael Stipe and Aaron Dessner talk about 'No Time for Love Like Now'

July 10, 2020 • 17 mins
Aaron Dessner of The National and Michael Stipe, formerly of R.E.M., connected with Jade to talk about 'No Time For Love Like Now,' a collaboration between Stipe and Big Red Machine.
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