Recent content from Chris Riemenschneider

Dessa is hollerin' for Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in new tribute song
The Twin Cities hip-hop star delivered the "Hamilton"-inspired track at the behest of public radio's "Marketplace" — and President Biden, too.

The best albums are live albums, especially during the pandemic
Why many of my all-time favorite records are concert LPs. Especially now in lieu of actual concerts.

Twin Cities musicians pick their favorite live albums
Picks from Cory Wong, PaviElle, Bill Lindsey and more.

Hear new Minnesota singles from Dessa, Stokley, Mark Mallman
The new year is already loaded with new local music, also including Dan Israel's "Pandemic Blues."

Dave Simonett and friends find More Light as live music remains dark
His drone music project is another sidestep as he awaits Trampled by Turtles' return.
![Semisonic performed Friday night at the Basilica Block Party, including front man and guitarist Dan Wilson. ] Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@start](https://chorus.stimg.co/22232544/ows_0d18684c_9655_4e83_8b2d_a380f7057cc0.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Semisonic's Dan Wilson sells publishing for songs including Adele, Chicks hits
The St. Louis Park native's deal with Primary Wave Publishing follows similar deals by Bob Dylan and Stevie Nicks.

Guitar smashed by Paul Westerberg at old Guthrie now within your reach
Seemingly destroyed at a 2002 solo show, the hackneyed Gibson Les Paul Jr. was restored and is now up for auction.

The Current announces new on-air staff following troubled 2020
Radio K vet Maddie Schwappach and Go 95.3's ex-staffer Zeke Salo will be added in the coming weeks.

'Icehouse Live' album released to help Minneapolis supper club survive winter
The 18-track collection features tracks by Greg Grease, the Cloak Ox, PaviElle, Erik Koskinen and Fat Kid Wednesdays.

The year in Minnesota music: best albums and most trying moments
Looking back on the most trying year ever in Minnesota music, including the 10 albums that rose above.

Congress agrees to $15B for locally led Save Our Stages effort
First Avenue and Sen. Amy Klobuchar were instrumental in bringing relief to music venues and other performance spaces.

Beermakers nationwide are nutty about Pearson's candy from St. Paul
Salted Nut Roll stouts and Nut Goodie porters are now on tap around the country.

Blue Ox Music Fest bumped to August 2021 with Jason Isbell, Shakey Graves
The rootsy Eau Claire area musical camp-out is usually held in June with local hosts Pert Near Sandstone.

First Ave benefit album announced with Tweedy, Truckers, Dessa, Hold Steady
The pandemic-easing First Love Project arrives via a subscription service spearheaded by Kill Kancer's Mary Beth Mueller.

Minneapolis' Modist Brewing and hip-hop duo Run the Jewels partner on new beer
No Save Point IPA is named after the rappers' single of the same name.

Minnesota's Okee Dokee Brothers withdraw from all-white Grammy Awards list
The folk duo teamed with two other nominees for best children's music album calling for more inclusivity

Charlie Parr, Soul Asylum will be First Ave's next livestream concerts
Parr's five-night January residency will coincide with a new album for the Smithsonian Folkways label.

Minneapolis rapper Brother Ali calls Yusuf/Cat Stevens collaboration a 'great honor'
Ali guests on a remake of the folk-rock legend's 1970 album "Tea for the Tillerman," which brought up memories of his late mother.

Was 1984 pop music's most blockbuster year?
A Twin Cities author makes the case for a Grammy lineup that was "the pop music version of the 1927 Yankees."