Takin a ride down the Current...

OK, OK...

So, maybe it should be "takin' a ride down to the Current," but that's all right.

Not long ago, my writing about music class strolled down the block to the Minnesota Public Radio building to take a little tour.

First of all, the building itself: wicked, freakin' cool. The lobby area is completely open and full of natural light. Paired with modern decor and three ball chairs (or the "digital music listening stations")- each playing a different MPR station, one could feel the chill vibe that flowed through the building.

The Current sounds like a great outlet for local bands to get some radio play. I thought it was especially cool that the folks in charge of choosing the music to be played pay a lot of attention to what artists and bands are getting a lot of press around the twin cities specifically. I would definately be interested in shooting for an internship there some day. From what I hear, they have a lot going on besides the radio stations themselves and I'd love to learn more about it.

As I walked around the newsroom, I could help thinking about my last college, where I was a journalism major. I was remember learning about writing radio commercials, how many lines of text equal a minute, all that super-specific stuff that has to go into writing for radio. It's definitely an interesting path to take with writing. I still have a strong interest in journalism and even some interest in radio, but I'm not sure that that is the field I'll be venturing into again. I am glad, however, that I have that experience to fall back on. A "Jill of all trades," if you will; at least the communication arts trades, anyway.

For more info on MPR's rockin' station 89.3 The Current, visit http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/