Andrea Swensson Named New Host of The Local Show

Nov 10, 2015

The Current announced today that Andrea Swensson, music reporter and voice of the Local Current blog, will become the new host and producer of The Local Show, effective January 10, 2016. In the interim, a mix of Current personalities will host the show through the end of 2015. Swensson's hallmark in-depth writing and interviews will continue to be featured on thecurrent.org.

"We are excited to have Andrea on board as host and producer of The Local Show," said David Safar, music director of The Current. "Over the last four years, Andrea has played a vital role in expanding our coverage of Minnesota's burgeoning music scene. From her napkin sketches and detailed post-show dispatches from Paisley Park to her most recent work with "The O.K. Show" podcast, Andrea has connected audiences with our local music community in deep and meaningful ways."

For more than a decade, Swensson has covered the Minnesota music scene as a music writer and editor. Prior to joining The Current staff in 2012, she was the music editor of City Pages, where she founded the AAN AltWeekly award-winning "Gimme Noise" music blog, and edited and contributed to online music sites Reveille magazine and HowWasTheShow.com.

"Andrea Swensson is the first person who ever wrote a word about me and she's the first person I call when I'm looking for a new band to share a bill with," said singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith. "She's an outspoken champion of the local music scene and a longtime advocate for overlooked musicians. I can't wait to hear The Local Show with Andrea behind the mic."

The Local Show airs Sundays, 6-8 p.m. on 89.3 KCMP in the Twin Cities and is streamed online at thecurrent.org. The Current can also be heard throughout Greater Minnesota. Check thecurrent.org for local listings.

The Local Show is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Current brings listeners the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it, from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic. The Current began broadcasting in 2005 as a non-commercial, member-supported radio station. From the start, The Current has received numerous accolades, including FMQB Triple A Conference NonComm Station of the Year and Jim McGuinn Program Director of the Year for several consecutive years. In 2015, City Pages readers named it "Best Radio Station" in its annual "Best of the Twin Cities" awards. Also in 2015, David Safar was named FMQB Triple A Conference NonComm Music Director of the Year and The Current's online music coverage earned two Page One Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. The Current and its hosts have also been honored by the Minnesota Daily, Women's Press Awards and Vita.MN. Its stellar broadcasts of in-studio performances have been featured online at Pitchfork Media and Prefix Magazine.