MPR People

Steve Seel

Host, The Current
Minnesota Public Radio
sseel@mpr.org

Steve Seel co-hosts weekday mornings on The Current with Jill Riley from 6-10 a.m. He possesses a broad knowledge of many musical genres, having hosted radio programs ranging from classical to jazz and even avant-garde music before joining Classical MPR in 1999. In 2005, Seel become one of the founding voices on MPR's The Current, and since then has enjoyed being an advocate for engaging, adventurous modern music with a particular soft-spot for artists who tilt slightly to the experimental side. His resume' includes in-depth interviews with musical luminaries ranging from Brian Eno to Wayne Coyne, David Byrne to Tori Amos, and he also conducted the first on-air interview with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Seel is an avid reader of political and social commentary as well, and he emcees The Current's popular Policy and a Pint community series, featuring discussions with noted scholars, politicians, community leaders, authors and big thinkers on important issues of the day.

Steve Seel Feature Archive

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Tegan & Sara return to The Current for a great performance

Canadian twin-sister duo Tegan and Sara are one of indie-pop's most celebrated acts, having released seven full-length albums over nearly two decades as musical collaborators. They've also been longtime Current favorites, and returned to The Current for the third time for a chat with The Morning Show's Steve Seel and Jill Riley and a performance. (03/07/2013)

Miles Davis: Giant of jazz

Any conversation about the giants of 20th century music is incomplete without acknowledging Miles Davis' massive innovations and huge impact on the art form. (02/25/2013)

Theft of the Dial: Nada Surf

Nada Surf has performed in The Current studio several times, but the alt-rock band brought their record collections instead of their instruments as they hijack the airwaves to share their hand-picked playlist. (12/21/2012)

Andrew Bird performs in The Current studio

2012 saw not one but two releases from prolific, Chicago-based indie-pop singer-songwriter Andrew Bird. (12/17/2012)

Theft of the Dial: Dave Foley

While in town to perform at Wits, comedian, writer and actor Dave Foley stopped by The Current to hijack our airwaves and spin some yarns about his favorite tunes. (11/15/2012)

Random Vinyl: The Youngbloods - The Youngbloods (1967)

The Youngbloods are best known for their hit version of "Get Together" (c'mon people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now.) If you dig a little deeper into this record, past the hit single, you'll hear more of a sound reminiscent of The Byrds and The Lovin' Spoonful. We played the side one, track one, Youngbloods original "Grizzely Bear." (11/15/2012)

Random Vinyl: Jefferson Starship - Red Octopus (1975)

This record represents that mid-point between the era of Jefferson Airplane and the band's evolution (or devolution) to Starship. This record still had some of the original members of Jefferson Airplane; Paul Kantner, Marty Balin and Grace Slick) and had the big hit "Miracles." Jill can guarantee at least 5 copies are available in each and every record across the country. (11/14/2012)

Random Vinyl: Jerry Lee Lewis - The Killer Rocks On (1972)

Jerry Lee Lewis scored his biggest hits in the 50's with song like "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On" and "Great Balls of Fire." The scandal surrounding his marriage to his teenage cousin almost destroyed his music career, but he was able to reinvent himself in the later 60's and 70's as a country act. (11/13/2012)

Random Vinyl: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Green River (1969)

This is an all around solid record from CCR, with some of their best known songs "Green River," "Bad Moon Rising," and "Lodi." Rolling Stone ranked this album #95 on their 2003 list of the greatest albums of all time. (11/12/2012)

Random Vinyl: Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive! (1976)

Frampton's live double album that forever linked his name to the talk box. The big hits from this record are "Show Me the Way," "Baby, I Love Your Way," and "Do You Feel Like We Do." (11/09/2012)

Eating and Drinking with Rachel Hutton: Fish Jello

Minnesota Monthly's food editor Rachel Hutton joins the Current's Morning Show to talk about the latest trends in the Minnesota dining scene. (11/08/2012)

Random Vinyl: Steely Dan - Aja (1977)

Steely Dan's best-selling album, "Aja" was a tour-de-force of session musician virtuosity, with no fewer than 36 guest master-players appearing on its seven tracks. For whatever reason, Steely Dan remains vastly unhip with contemporary cool kids (Too slick? Too smooth?), so that ostensibly makes it a guilty pleasure today. (11/08/2012)

Random Vinyl: Cinderella - Long Cold Winter (1988)

This week on Random Vinyl it's guilty pleasure week! 80's glam rock band Cinderella was featured with "Gypsy Road." The other big hit from this album was "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)." Jill can't decide if she felt more guilt than pleasure when grabbing this from the "home use only" shelf this morning. (11/07/2012)

Random Vinyl: Yes - The Yes Album (1971)

Steve's first submission for Guilty Pleasures Week comes from the often scorned genre of prog rock. Yes' "The Yes Album" was the band's breakthrough, containing hits like "Starship Trooper" and "Yours Is No Disgrace." Steve selected "I've Seen All Good People." (11/06/2012)

Random Vinyl: Madonna - True Blue (1986)

Madonna just performed in the Twin Cities for the first time since 1987. To celebrate, we played "Open Your Heart," one of Madonna's best pop songs from the 80's. (11/05/2012)