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David Dye David Dye is a longtime Philadelphia radio personality whose music enthusiasm has captivated listeners of World Cafe since 1991. World Cafe is produced by WXPN, the public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania.
David Dye, host of World Cafe.
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David Dye

Review

World Cafe

The Airborne Toxic Event: Rock Gets Literary

The Airborne Toxic Event's self-titled full-length debut has earned the band comparisons to Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire and Interpol, among others. Complementing Mikel Jollett's dry vocals with surf-friendly rock, the group has made more than a few "Bands to Watch" lists, both before and since the release of its debut.

The Airborne Toxic Event: Rock Gets Literary

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World Cafe

Counting Crows: Making Hits, Looking Ahead

XPN

In the 15 years since releasing its breakthrough debut, the roots-pop band has become one of the most popular rock groups in America. The band plays from and talks about its new album, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings.

Counting Crows: Making Hits, Looking Ahead

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World Cafe

Carbon/Silicon: Clash Guitarist Returns

XPN

The punk rock legends in Carbon/Silicon — Mick Jones from The Clash and Tony James from Generation X — have been offering their garage-rock inspired music for free online long before Radiohead's pay-what-you-wish release. Hear an acoustic session with the band.

Carbon/Silicon: Clash Guitarist Returns

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World Cafe

Trent Reznor Releases 'Ghosts' for All

XPN

In an interview with David Dye, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor talks about his decision to leave his major label to self-release the instrumental Ghosts I-IV. Reznor has not only been successful, but he's also found a way to engage his fans in the music via remixes.

Trent Reznor Releases 'Ghosts' for All

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World Cafe

The Black Crowes: Smearing the 'Warpaint'

XPN

On Warpaint, the band reunites after a string of solo efforts and concert tours on the jam-band circuit. The sound remains the same (swaggering rock with Southern-fried soul), but now the band sounds like professionals who've honed an otherwise ramshackle style of music.

The Black Crowes in Studio on World Cafe 4/4/08

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World Cafe

Melody Gardot and Her 'Worrisome Heart'

XPN

Gardot didn't start her musical career out of a grand artistic vision. While riding her bicycle, she was hit by the driver of a Jeep making an illegal turn. Hospitalized for months, Gardot used music for recovery therapy, at doctors' suggestion.

Melody Gardot in Studio on World Cafe 4/1/08

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World Cafe

Cat Power Remakes the 'Jukebox'

XPN

Southern-born singer-songwriter Chan Marshall is no stranger to covers. Under the Cat Power moniker, Marshall has released eight albums, two of them collections in which she reworks the classics. The latest is Jukebox. Hear an interview and performance from WXPN.

Cat Power in Studio on World Cafe 3/6/08

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World Cafe

Rustic Overtones Sees 'Light at the End'

XPN

When Rustic Overtones reunited last summer after four years apart, 6,000 fans gathered in one place to see the beloved band. In this session, the horn-driven rock group talks about coming back to such a grand welcome.

Rustic Overtones in Studio on World Cafe 4/16/08

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World Cafe

Lizz Wright: Sultry Soul and Jazz

XPN

Southern singer Lizz Wright crafts a distinct mixture of jazz, folk, gospel, and R&B, but she's been most widely celebrated as a rising star in the jazz world. Hear Wright give a performance and interview from WXPN.

Lizz Wright in Studio on World Cafe 4/11/08

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World Cafe

No Killing What Made Milwaukee Famous

XPN

On the band's second album, What Doesn't Kill Us, What Made Milwaukee Famous deftly mixes the pomp of Spoon and the hooks of Big Star with witty lyrics. In this segment of World Cafe, the group fills out its sound with the help of new guitarist Jason Davis.

What Made Milwaukee Famous in Studio on World Cafe 4/10/08

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World Cafe

Psychic TV: Still on the Fringes

XPN

Formed in 1981 by Genesis P-Orridge after the dissolution of the industrial-noise band Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV has long been an artistic force in the margins of pop culture. In its first performance since the death of band member Lady Jaye, Psychic TV performs material from its new CD.

Psychic TV in Studio on World Cafe 4/9/08

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World Cafe

Lightspeed Champion: Punk Troubadour

XPN

Under the moniker Lightspeed Champion, Devonte Hynes assumes the role of troubadour. It's a fitting change from the thrashy dance-punk of his past, effectively marrying lush Britpop with countrified rock. Lightspeed Champion's promising debut full-length, Falling Off the Lavender Bridge, just came out.

Lightspeed Champion in Studio on World Cafe 4/8/08

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World Cafe

Griffin House: Emotional Roots-Pop

XPN

House writes roots-based pop songs in the tradition of Jeff Buckley and Bruce Springsteen. The Ohio-born singer realized that he enjoyed entertaining others in high-school drama class and began to write music. His latest CD is titled Flying Upside Down.

Griffin House in Studio on World Cafe 4/3/08

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World Cafe

George Stanford: Pop Meets Soul

XPN

After the regionally successful Philadelphia band Townhall broke up in 2006, Stanford went solo, developing a soulful, smoothly appealing pop sound while recording his debut EP. Hear an interview and performance from WXPN.

George Stanford in Studio on World Cafe 4/2/08

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