Music

The Brooklyn-based ambient-folk duo Family Band is a collaboration between visual artist turned frontwoman Kim Krans and her husband, former heavy-metal guitarist Jonny Ollsin. Together, they craft beautifully dark, folk-influenced songs, which they fittingly describe as "heavy mellow."

Martin Dosh has been playing music around the Twin Cities for years, recording his first solo album a decade ago. After a successful streak on Anticon Records and regular tours with Andrew Bird, the multi-instrumentalist is planning to release new material at the beginning of 2013.

Before putting out another full record, though, Dosh will release a 7" single, with benefits going to charity. It's a teaser to an adventurous new direction that incorporates more keyboards and distorted vocals. Here, he performs "Golden Silver" in The Current's studios.

The Portland, Ore., band Blitzen Trapper makes its first appearance on Mountain Stage, recorded live in Charleston, W.V. Led by singer-songwriter Eric Earley, the group has followed an unconventional path; Earley tells host Larry Groce that prior to the band's breakout, he spent a couple years living as a squatter in a rehearsal space.

Experience the wide world of hip-hop with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, DJ, producer and one-third of the legendary group A Tribe Called Quest, and NPR Music editor Frannie Kelley. We aim to bring you the full breadth of rap music, everything from old school classics to new school favorites.

There's a lot of astounding information in this comprehensive profile of trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, "the reigning patriarch of Detroit jazz." After touring with Ray Charles for years, and getting opportunities with Max Roach and Charles Mingus, Belgrave opted not to stick it out in New York like many musicians of his caliber. Instead, he chose Detroit, where he's been since 1963.

Working in a subgenre somewhere between soul and rap, Stasia "Stas" Irons and Catherine "Cat" Harris-White form the avant-garde hip-hop duo THEESatisfaction. Based in Seattle, the young duo released its first album, awE naturalE, back in March.