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World Cafe WXPN in Philadelphia and host Raina Douris present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

World Cafe

Essential and Emerging Artists
Going Home With Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon Giddens Ebru Yildiz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Ebru Yildiz/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Going Home With Rhiannon Giddens

XPN

In this episode of World Cafe, Rhiannon Giddens discusses the locations that influenced her latest album — They're Calling Me Home — from her hometown of Greensboro, N.C., to her adopted home of Ireland.

Rhiannon Giddens

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Nick Thorburn Of Islands Has A Constant Urge To Create

Islands Jason Tippett/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jason Tippett/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Nick Thorburn Of Islands Has A Constant Urge To Create

XPN

Islands returns with a new album called Islomania, after a five year self-described "retirement."

Islands on World Cafe

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Message Music: 3 Black Artists Who Helped Integrate Country Music

Charley Pride, circa 1970. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Studio Sessions

Message Music: 3 Black Artists Who Helped Integrate Country Music

XPN

by Michael Mwenso , ,

In this episode of Message Music, Michael Mwenso looks back on America's biggest gift to music — country — and a handful of Black artists responsible for integrating the genre.

Message Music on World Cafe: Country Music

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On 'Outside Child,' Allison Russell Confronts Trauma With Compassion

Allison Russell Marc Baptiste/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Marc Baptiste/Courtesy of the artist

Nashville Sessions

On 'Outside Child,' Allison Russell Confronts Trauma With Compassion

XPN

Despite creating art from trauma, Russell is strengthened by love, connection and creation.

Allison Russell on World Cafe

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Shirley Manson On Garbage's Journey To 'No Gods No Masters'

Garbage Maria Jose Govea/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Maria Jose Govea/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Shirley Manson On Garbage's Journey To 'No Gods No Masters'

XPN

In this episode of World Cafe, Shirley Manson of Garbage discusses the band's new album No Gods No Masters and being a woman in an industry known for being hostile toward them.

Garbage On World Cafe

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Founding Member Emilio Castillo On Tower Of Power's 50th Anniversary

Tower Of Power, Doc Kupka (L) and Emilio Castillo (R) Brian Rachlin/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Brian Rachlin/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Founding Member Emilio Castillo On Tower Of Power's 50th Anniversary

XPN

Since Tower of Power's beginning, founding member Emilio Castillo has been there. To celebrate the band's 50th anniversary, it is releasing a recording of a live concert in the band's hometown.

Tower of Power on World Cafe

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From Producing Electronic Music To Composing For Film, Tom Holkenborg Scores

Junkie XL Dirk Kikstra/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Dirk Kikstra/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

From Producing Electronic Music To Composing For Film, Tom Holkenborg Scores

XPN

Tom Holkenborg, also known as Junkie XL, is one of the biggest names in film score composing today.

Junkie XL on World Cafe

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Rostam Rises With The Quiet Conversations Of 'Changephobia'

Rostam performs live for World Cafe Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Rostam Rises With The Quiet Conversations Of 'Changephobia'

XPN

In this episode of World Cafe, Rostam discusses his new record Changephobia, which was inspired by a quiet conversation the artist had with a stranger on a park bench.

Rostam On World Cafe

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On 'Butter Miracle Suite One,' Counting Crows Find Inspiration In A New Format

Adam Duritz, Counting Crows Mark Seliger/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mark Seliger/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'Butter Miracle Suite One,' Counting Crows Find Inspiration In A New Format

XPN

Composed of four songs that connect and flow into each other, Butter Miracle Suite One poses new territory for Counting Crows songwriter and lead singer Adam Duritz.

Counting Crows on World Cafe

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Shungudzo Knows What She Wants To Change In The World

Shungudzo Yazz Alali/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Yazz Alali/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Shungudzo Knows What She Wants To Change In The World

XPN

The Zimbabwean-American artist offers a unique perspective on the world, including on how she'd like to see it change.

Shungudzo on World Cafe

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Lord Huron Gets 'Long Lost' In Its Own Fictional World

Lord Huron Sacha Schneider/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sacha Schneider/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Lord Huron Gets 'Long Lost' In Its Own Fictional World

XPN

In this session, frontman Ben Schneider joins World Cafe to take us into the fictional world his band created for a new record, talk about what inspired it and share a few songs.

Lord Huron on World Cafe

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Message Music: 3 Artists Who Performed With 'Pride'

Little Richard, ca. 1957 Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Studio Sessions

Message Music: 3 Artists Who Performed With 'Pride'

XPN

by , Michael Mwenso ,

In honor of Pride month, Michael Mwenso highlights three artists who expressed their individuality, gender and sexual identities with freedom.

Message Music with Micahel Mwesno - Pride Month

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Crowded House Reunites On 'Dreamers Are Waiting'

Crowded House Breanna Thomas/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Breanna Thomas/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Crowded House Reunites On 'Dreamers Are Waiting'

XPN

In this episode of World Cafe, we talk to Neil Finn of Crowded House about its new album and playing music with his sons.

Crowded House on World Cafe

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Jensen McRae Reintroduces Herself On 'Who Hurt You?'

Jensen McRae Jeannie Sui Wonders/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jeannie Sui Wonders/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Jensen McRae Reintroduces Herself On 'Who Hurt You?'

XPN

More than her viral hit and Phoebe Bridgers parody "Immune," McRae has a unique, perceptive ear and a way with words.

Jensen McRae on World Cafe

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Zach Bryan On How Music Helped Him Stay Sane While Deployed

Zach Bryan E. M. Moffatt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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E. M. Moffatt/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Zach Bryan On How Music Helped Him Stay Sane While Deployed

XPN

Being a musician kept Zach Bryan sane while he was deployed under the U.S. Navy; it was also the reason why he went viral.

Zach Bryan on World Cafe

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On 'Glowing In The Dark,' Django Django Explore Evolution And Escapism

Django Django Horacio Bolz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Horacio Bolz/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'Glowing In The Dark,' Django Django Explore Evolution And Escapism

XPN

Today on World Cafe, David Maclean and Vincent Neff of Django Django talk about what inspires their ever-evolving sound.

Djang Django on World Cafe

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The Culture Corner: The Beastie Boys' Pledge To Tibetan Independence, 25 Years Later

Tibetan Freedom Concert Album John Vettese/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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John Vettese/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Culture Corner: The Beastie Boys' Pledge To Tibetan Independence, 25 Years Later

XPN

Not only did the Tibetan Freedom Concert kick off a series of benefit shows, raising money and awareness for the cause, but it also marked a shift for the Beastie Boys as a group.

The Culture Corner: Tibetan Freedom Concert On World Cafe

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Celeste On 'Hear My Voice' And The Pressures Of Success

Celeste Jesse Crankson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jesse Crankson/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Celeste On 'Hear My Voice' And The Pressures Of Success

XPN

In today's World Cafe, British R&B star Celeste performs and talks about writing her Oscar-nominated song "Hear My Voice."

Celeste on World Cafe

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On 'Who By Fire,' First Aid Kit Stage A Love Letter To Leonard Cohen

First Aid Kit Olof Ringmar/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Olof Ringmar/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'Who By Fire,' First Aid Kit Stage A Love Letter To Leonard Cohen

XPN

It takes a whole lot of courage to dedicate an entire tribute album and live concert to a master of songwriting and performance. On their live tribute album to Leonard Cohen, Who By Fire, First Aid Kit is up for the task.

First Aid Kit On World Cafe

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Through Music And Poetry, Valerie June Writes For Dreamers

Valerie June Renata Raksha/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Renata Raksha/Courtesy of the artist

Nashville Sessions

Through Music And Poetry, Valerie June Writes For Dreamers

XPN

Today on World Cafe, singer-songwriter and poet Valerie June discusses using her multimedia work as a catalyst for individual and collective change.

Valerie June on World Cafe

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