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Stephen Kallao
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Stephen Kallao

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The Hold Steady Are Sleeping Over

The Hold Steady D James Goodwin/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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D James Goodwin/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

The Hold Steady Are Sleeping Over

XPN

The veteran rockers talk about the benefits of the nontraditional way they've chosen to record and support their latest studio album, Thrashing Thru The Passion.

The Hold Steady On World Cafe

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How the bird and the bee Interpreted Van Halen Classics With No Guitars

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Alexa Nikol Curran/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

How the bird and the bee Interpreted Van Halen Classics With No Guitars

XPN

The electronic jazz duo used a creative approach to recreate the melody of some of the greatest rock songs of the late '70s and early '80s.

the bird and the bee

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Shawn Colvin Goes Acoustic With 'Steady On'

Shawn Colvin performing live for World Cafe. Jamie Stow/WXPN hide caption

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Jamie Stow/WXPN

World Cafe

Shawn Colvin Goes Acoustic With 'Steady On'

XPN

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Steady On, the singer-songwriter recorded a new solo acoustic version of the record that captures the way she performs it live today.

Shawn Colvin on World Cafe

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Pixies, Beyond The Stage And Behind The Scenes

Pixies performing live for WXPN's Free At Noon Concert at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. Jamie Stow/WXPN hide caption

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Jamie Stow/WXPN

World Cafe

Pixies, Beyond The Stage And Behind The Scenes

XPN

Black Francis and Joey Santiago talk about recording in upstate New York with a journalist watching their every move for a podcast on the making of the new Pixies album.

Pixies On World Cafe

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Tamino Embraces His Voice And A More Delicate Sound

Tamino inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Jamie Stow/WXPN hide caption

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Jamie Stow/WXPN

World Cafe

Tamino Embraces His Voice And A More Delicate Sound

XPN

Although his remarkable voice has been compared to Jeff Buckley's, the singer self-identifies more with Chris Cornell. Hear a live studio performance.

Tamino On World Cafe

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Vince Gill's Emotional New Album 'Okie' Is His Most Personal Yet

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John Shearer /Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Vince Gill's Emotional New Album 'Okie' Is His Most Personal Yet

XPN

The Country Music Hall of Famer and in-demand collaborator got to make his new album on his own terms. Hear a live performance.

Vince Gill On World Cafe

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Geek Out With 'Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book Of Bass'

Geddy Lee outside the World Cafe Performance Studio at WXPN in Philadelphia. Makena Duffy/WXPN hide caption

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Makena Duffy/WXPN

World Cafe

Geek Out With 'Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book Of Bass'

XPN

The legendary Rush frontman and bassist has kept busy cataloging, photographing and writing about his collection of bass guitars.

Geddy Lee On World Cafe

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The Vocal Precision Of Madison Cunningham

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Claire Vogel/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

The Vocal Precision Of Madison Cunningham

XPN

The way Cunningham plays and sings makes the young singer-songwriter's debut album, Who Are You Now, shine.

Madison Cunningham On World Cafe

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Buddy And Julie Miller's 'Breakdown On 20th Ave. South' Is Based On A Real Breakdown

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Kate York/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Buddy And Julie Miller's 'Breakdown On 20th Ave. South' Is Based On A Real Breakdown

XPN

Yes, that's a real address and yes, it refers to a real-life breakdown.

Buddy and Julie Miller on World Cafe

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Mattiel's 'Satis Factory' Is Delightfully Unique

Mattiel performs live at WXPN's NONCOMM 2019 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. John Vettese/WXPN hide caption

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John Vettese/WXPN

World Cafe

Mattiel's 'Satis Factory' Is Delightfully Unique

XPN

Mattiel Brown's powerful and assertive vocals lead a pinch of garage rock, a touch of psychedelia and some galloping honky-tonk.

Mattiel On World Cafe

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Raphael Saadiq Sends A Universal Message On 'Jimmy Lee'

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Aaron Rapoport/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Raphael Saadiq Sends A Universal Message On 'Jimmy Lee'

XPN

Named after his late brother, the accomplished musician's latest album raises awareness of substance abuse.

Raphael Saadiq On World Cafe (OLD)

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Brittany Howard Is Seamless From The Studio To The Stage

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Brantley Guttierez/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Brittany Howard Is Seamless From The Studio To The Stage

XPN

The Alabama Shakes lead singer has just released her debut solo album, Jaime, and it's incredible both on the record and performed live.

Brittany Howard on World Cafe

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Ian Noe Reflects On Growing Up In Rural Kentucky

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Kyler Clark/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Ian Noe Reflects On Growing Up In Rural Kentucky

XPN

Ian Noe has an incredible way with words, but on his debut album, they are not the most uplifting or pleasant.

Ian Noe On World Cafe

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Craig Finn Is Interested In The High And The Hangover

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Craig Finn Is Interested In The High And The Hangover

XPN

The people at the heart of Craig Finn's songs have seen a lot, but are trying to do the right thing.

Craig Finn On World Cafe

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A Hill Country Blues Riff Lesson From Cedric Burnside

Cedric Burnside inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

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Galea McGregor/WXPN

World Cafe

A Hill Country Blues Riff Lesson From Cedric Burnside

XPN

Hear why the multi-instrumentalist feels like he made it after growing up in a very poor environment.

Cedric Burnside on World Cafe

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