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Stephen Thompson Stephen Thompson is a host, writer and reviewer for NPR Music and Pop Culture Happy Hour. He appears frequently on All Songs Considered and NPR newsmagazines.
Washington, DC - May 03, 2016: Stephen Thompson CREDIT: Matt Roth
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Stephen Thompson

Friday

Pop Culture Happy Hour: In Our Host's Absence, We Invite 'Company'
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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: In Our Host's Absence, We Invite 'Company'

In host Linda Holmes' absence, the PCHH gang descends into madness, discussing Green Lantern, Stephen Sondheim and more.

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Monday

The Decemberists: Tiny Desk Concert
Mito Habe-Evans/NPR

Tiny Desk

The Decemberists: Tiny Desk Concert

When he turned up at the NPR Music offices to perform three songs from The King Is Dead, Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy wasn't expecting to be staring into dozens, if not hundreds, of rapt faces.

The Decemberists: Tiny Desk Concert

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Sunday

First Listen: 'Rave On Buddy Holly'

Rave On Buddy Holly, a tribute to the rock 'n' roll pioneer, features Holly covers by Paul McCartney, The Black Keys, Patti Smith and many more. The album comes out June 28. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images

First Listen

First Listen: 'Rave On Buddy Holly'

Rave On Buddy Holly does more than just throw big names against the wall over the course of a generous 19 tracks. It also adds up to an impressively diverse collection of takes on the innocence of another era.

Friday

Guyz Nite: 'This One's For Dad'

Guyz Nite's "Father's Day" is an almost preposterously goodhearted, winningly sincere tribute to Dad. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Review

Song Of The Day

Guyz Nite: 'This One's For Dad'

For all its bluster, Guyz Nite's "Father's Day" is an almost preposterously goodhearted (and clearly sincere) ode to dads who teach their kids to try hard and be decent people.

'Father's Day' by Guyz Nite

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Thursday

Wednesday

The Black Angels: Tiny Desk Concert
Adele Hampton/NPR

Tiny Desk

The Black Angels: Tiny Desk Concert

The Black Angels' music is hardly the stuff of stripped-down acoustic confessionals: It's the sound of a distant rumble, possibly beamed from a garage in a distant decade.

The Black Angels: Tiny Desk Concert

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Monday

The Kopecky Family Band: Tiny Desk Concert
Adele Hampton/NPR

Tiny Desk

The Kopecky Family Band: Tiny Desk Concert

NPR Music's staff stumbled onto the Tennessee band's music at the CMJ Music Festival last fall, and quickly fell in love. The Kopeckys' sweet, swollen folk-rock songs keep blooming into something irresistible.

The Kopecky Family Band: Tiny Desk Concert

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Thursday

Sasquatch 2011: Noah And The Whale, Live In Concert

Noah and The Whale performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. James Bailey for KEXP hide caption

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James Bailey for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Noah And The Whale, Live In Concert

The peppy Last Night on Earth caught Noah and the Whale fans off guard. But its new songs are conducive to amphitheater-based listening while beach balls bob around overhead.

Sasquatch 2011: Noah And The Whale, Live In Concert

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Wednesday

Sasquatch 2011: Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Live In Concert

Rodrigo y Gabriela performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. Brittney Bush Bollay for KEXP hide caption

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Brittney Bush Bollay for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Live In Concert

Acoustic guitarists Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero honed their percussive, fleet-fingered instrumental sound on the Dublin bar scene. Since then, the pair has become known for riveting, disbelief-inducing live concerts like this one.

Sasquatch 2011: Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Live In Concert

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Tuesday

Sasquatch 2011: The Globes, Live In Concert

The Globes, on stage at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival KEXP/Alex Crick hide caption

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KEXP/Alex Crick

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: The Globes, Live In Concert

A young pop-rock group on the cusp of a promising journey beyond its Pacific Northwest home, The Globes just released a moody but spirited full-length debut called Future Self.

Sasquatch 2011: The Globes, Live In Concert

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Sasquatch 2011: Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings, Live In Concert

Sharon Jones performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. Brittney Bush Bollay for KEXP hide caption

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Brittney Bush Bollay for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings, Live In Concert

It's almost unfair to put Jones on a bill with a bunch of mopey young indie-rock whippersnappers: The savvy soul veteran's energy, power, control and almost supernatural on-stage confidence are liable to blow away anyone who surrounds her.

Sasquatch 2011: Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings, Live In Concert

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The Decemberists, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011

Colin Meloy of The Decemberists performs at Sasquatch Music Festival 2011. James Bailey for KEXP hide caption

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James Bailey for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

The Decemberists, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011

Multi-instrumentalist Jenny Conlee wasn't expected to join the band only weeks after a breast-cancer diagnosis. She appeared nonetheless. On Memorial Day 2011, the band played songs old and new.

The Decemberists, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011

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