89.3 The Current Hires Long-Time Local Music Critic Andrea Swensson to Author New Local Music Blog

Dec 22, 2011

(St. Paul, Minn.)--December 22, 2011--89.3 The Current announced today that it has named Andrea Swensson, long-time music editor and critic for City Pages, to serve as primary author for a new music blog about the vibrant Minnesota music scene. The blog will launch the week of January 9, 2012, on thecurrent.org.

Minnesota music is Swensson's life: For the past seven years, she has worked as a music writer and editor, researching and reporting on our local music community. During the past three-and-a-half years, she has cultivated a community of musically obsessed Twin Citians at "Gimme Noise," a popular blog that she founded to serve as an extension of City Pages' music coverage.

"Our website is already a hub for local music fans, but we wanted to 'turn it up to 11' by adding more depth and information about the local music scene," said Jim McGuinn, program director, 89.3 The Current. "Andrea has a track record for being a champion of local music and an excellent writer and editor, not to mention a guru in the social networking world. She's a great addition to our scrappy group of local music junkies."

The new local music blog will chronicle the active Minnesota music scene through reviews, updates and news with frequent posts. Swensson will also appear on air periodically to discuss significant events with The Current hosts.

"I'm looking forward to surrounding myself with so many passionate local music fans," Swensson said. "I've always loved covering Minnesota music, and this will be such a cool opportunity to share my knowledge about the scene online and on air."

89.3 The Current's new local music blog is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.