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On 'All This And More,' Thao Nguyen Tackles Post-Apocalyptic Omens

Thao Nguyen's new track for Morning Edition's Song Project is about the day wildfire haze blotted out the sun over San Francisco, illuminating everything wrong with 2020. Shane McCauley hide caption

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Shane McCauley

Morning Edition Song Project

On 'All This And More,' Thao Nguyen Tackles Post-Apocalyptic Omens

Nguyen processes feelings of dread in her new song for Morning Edition's Song Project, written after the skies over San Francisco turned orange from wildfire haze.

On 'All This And More,' Thao Nguyen Tackles Post-Apocalyptic Omens

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Thao & The Get Down Stay Down On Mountain Stage

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down performing live on Mountain Stage. Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage hide caption

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Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down On Mountain Stage

Thao Nguyen has recorded three albums with her band, including the latest, We the Common. The group's set includes the title track, which is dedicated to an inmate Nguyen bonded with as a volunteer.

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down On Mountain Stage

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Thao And The Get Down Stay Down: New Home, New Album

Thao Nguyen of Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Thao And The Get Down Stay Down: New Home, New Album

XPN

The folk-rock band plays songs from its new album, We the Common, which was largely inspired by a move to San Francisco.

Thao And The Get Down Stay Down: New Home, New Album

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Thao Nguyen's Musical Life Is Far From 'Common'

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down's new album is titled We The Common. Nick Walker/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Nick Walker/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Thao Nguyen's Musical Life Is Far From 'Common'

A trip to a California women's prison inspired many of the songs on the folk-rocker's latest album, We the Common.

Thao Nguyen's Musical Life Is Far From 'Common'

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Thao And Mirah On World Cafe

Singer-songwriters Thao and Mirah recently paired up for a new collaborative project and perform together on today's World Cafe. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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World Cafe

Thao And Mirah On World Cafe

XPN

Singer-songwriters Thao and Mirah play songs from their new collaborative album.

Thao And Mirah On World Cafe

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First Listen: Thao And Mirah, 'Thao And Mirah'

The indie-folk duo of Thao Nguyen and Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn complement each other perfectly while delving into new territory on their self-titled album together. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Thao And Mirah, 'Thao And Mirah'

Mirah's songs are delicate and intimate, while Thao's work rollicks with raw energy and impeccable chops. But on their new colaborative album, the singers complement each other perfectly.

Fall Music Preview

All Songs Considered

Fall Music Preview

On this All Songs we spin some of the albums we're most looking forward to coming out this fall. Hear previews from The Flaming Lips, choral versions of classic Kinks songs, The Swell Season and more.

Fall Music Preview

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SXSW 2009: Thao With The Get Down Stay Down

Thao Nguyen. Joel Didreksen/kingpinphoto.com hide caption

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SXSW Music Festival

SXSW 2009: Thao With The Get Down Stay Down

Thao Nguyen and her backing band, The Get Down Stay Down, make mixing indie-pop and folk sound easy. Nguyen's exuberant voice filled NPR's offices this past September and christened its SXSW showcase.

Thao And The Get Down Stay Down in Concert at SXSW 3/19/09

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Favorite Sessions

Thao Nguyen Can't Say That on the Radio

KEXP

Just as Thao and her band The Get Down Stay Down were about to go on the air and play their new songs, all four of them began swearing like longshoremen. Turns out they needed get it out of their system before hitting the radio and playing new songs.

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down in Studio on KEXP 3/8/08

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World Cafe

Thao Nguyen Braves 'Bee Stings' and More

XPN

Singer-songwriter Thao Nguyen's music sounds heartfelt, inspirational, and real. While primarily a solo artist with a penchant for great lyrics and soft acoustic guitars, she now tours with a band, The Get Down Stay Down. Hear an interview and performance.

Thao in Studio on World Cafe 2/13/08

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