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 enj...
Latest episodes
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8 min
Neve Campbell talks about playing Zach Sobiech's mom in 'Clouds'
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…
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5 min
Why can't musicians get politicians to stop playing their songs?
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 wher…
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9 min
SXSW 2021 goes virtual, but holds out hope for IRL option
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 coul…
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6 min
Lana Del Rey, Jeff Tweedy, Mariah Carey, David Byrne plan big music books for fall 2020
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 Twe…
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8 min
New Music Roundup
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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11 min
Radio K's Julian Green on how college radio is showing up in 2020
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 dire…
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7 min
The 2020 MTV VMAs and the best videos to come out of quarantine
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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7 min
Music world works to guard mental and physical health in COVID era
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 soug…
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6 min
In pandemic tech boom, who's making money on music?
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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8 min
Why did it take 18 years to file charges in the murder of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay?
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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8 min
How is the pandemic permanently changing the music world?
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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16 min
Author and pop historian Maria Sherman on boy bands
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; Brockh…
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8 min
From Smash Mouth at Sturgis to illegal raves in Europe, music draws thousands outdoors
As the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, huge crowds are gathering for outdoor concerts. Are they safe?
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8 min
How TikTok became a hit machine
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…
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8 min
Spotify CEO says the album cycle is over
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 lis…
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12 min
Is every artist an indie artist now?
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. F…
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9 min
Save Our Stages Act introduced to help independent venues
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…
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7 min
Musicians lost to COVID-19
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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7 min
Muzak goes bankrupt
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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17 min
Michael Stipe and Aaron Dessner talk about 'No Time for Love Like Now'
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 Machin…