Your guide to Twin Cities local radio shows

Nearly every local radio station has a “token” local show, but there are three non-commercial stations in town that truly support local independent music - not only through their local shows, but through their regular playlists as well. If you’re craving local music, want to know what local bands are playing this weekend, or just feel like going beyond The Suburbs and Prince, tune in to one or all of these fine programs.

KFAI’s MN Soundtrack
Fridays 7:30-9 p.m.
kfai.org / 90.3 Minneapolis / 106.7 St. Paul

Hosts Jackie and Jonathan play a diverse mix of old and new local music. MN Soundtrack plays probably the widest variety of genres of the local shows, including under-the-radar local rock, jazz and folk. The show often includes an in-studio performance.

Examples from recent playlists: Cornbread Harris, Idynne, The Brutes

Listen to archived shows and check out the events calendar here.

Radio K’s Off The Record
Fridays 4-6 p.m.
radiok.org / 104.5 Minneapolis / 100.7 St. Paul / 770 AM (daylight hours only) Twin Cities metro area

Hosts Andrew and Jake are joined every week by a live band on the University of Minnesota’s Radio K. Up-and-coming bands are highlighted on Off The Record, with an oldie or two thrown in for good measure. Radio K is usually the first to play the next big local thing (i.e. Vampire Hands, Lookbook, Gospel Gossip, Tapes ‘n Tapes, Maria Isa and Solid Gold) not to mention a lot of local underground hip hop, which is hard to come by on the radio these days.

Examples from recent playlists:  Brother Ali, Red Pens, The Chambermaids (check out a review of The Chambermaids’ latest EP here btw)

Listen to archived shows and check out playlists here.
Listen to past in-studio sessions here.

The Current’s The Local Show
Sundays 6-8 p.m.
thecurrent.org / 89.3 Twin Cities metro area

Host David Campbell plays a mix of older local classics (The Honeydogs, Paul Westerberg) as well as newer stuff (Solid Gold, Haley Bonar). While less adventurous than its counterparts, The Local Show does frequently welcome in-studio guests and archives playlists in an easy-to-search time-stamped format.

Examples from recent playlists: Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps, Tapes ‘n Tapes, Jeremy Messersmith

Listen to archived shows and check out playlists here.
Listen to past instudio sessions here.