Clockwise from upper left: The Smile, Basia Bulat, Pigeon Pit, Barrie, Kae Tempest Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Kae Tempest
Spoken word poet and musician Kae Tempest thinks that the act of paying extreme attention allows one to be more empathetic to others and to create art that resonates beyond the present moment. Julian Broad/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Amy Ray and Emily Saliers contemplate their place as queer artists in country on their latest album, Look Long, released in May. Jeremy Cowart/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Play It Forward: Indigo Girls' Amy Ray And Emily Saliers On Their 45-Year Kinship
The rapper Goldlink. His new album, Diaspora, is on our shortlist for the best new releases of the week. Joyce Ng/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Kate Tempest's The Book of Traps and Lessons comes out June 14. Julian Broad/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Clockwise from upper left: Japanese Breakfast, Kate Tempest, Mannequin Pussy, Patio Courtesy of the artists hide caption
Kate Tempest (second from right), arm in arm with her band in the World Cafe performance studio. Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption
Kate Tempest On World Cafe
This magic evening, which I was fortunate enough to host with My bubba, Adam Torres and John Paul White ended with the first song John Paul White ever sang into a microphone, 'Stand By Me'. Bob Boilen/NPR hide caption
Tanya Tagaq's Retribution was one of Talia Schlanger's favorite albums of the year. Katrin Braga/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Kate Tempest's latest album, Let Them Eat Chaos, came out in October. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
World Cafe's Talia Schlanger picked London newcomer Obongjayar's song "Creeping" as a favorite this month. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Clockwise from upper left: R.E.M. in 1991, Sharon Van Etten, Sylvan Esso, Kate Tempest Courtesy of the artists hide caption
Kate Tempest has written music, plays, poetry and novels. David Stewert/Courtesy of Bloomsbury hide caption
'There Was More I Wanted To Say': Kate Tempest Turns Hit Album Into A Novel
In January, Mucca Pazza set a Tiny Desk record by fitting 23 members onstage. Colin Marshall/NPR hide caption
Producer George Martin with The Beatles in 1963. Keystone\Getty Images hide caption
"When I was writing or performing, it felt like a storm was breaking, like something very elemental and forceful was happening," Kate Tempest says, explaining her chosen stage name. India Cranks/Courtesy of the artist hide caption