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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
Have You Heard Stephanie Lambring's 'Autonomy'? You Should

Stephanie Lambring Betsy Phillips/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Betsy Phillips/Courtesy of the artist

Nashville Sessions

Have You Heard Stephanie Lambring's 'Autonomy'? You Should

XPN

The Nashville songwriter wrote one of the most honest albums released last year. It is nothing short of a coming-of-age tour de force.

Stephanie Lambring on World Cafe

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Wand's Cory Hanson Goes Solo Again, And He'd Rather Not Talk About It

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Asal Shahindoust/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Wand's Cory Hanson Goes Solo Again, And He'd Rather Not Talk About It

XPN

The Los Angeles psych-rock star joins World Cafe to discuss his new album, Pale Horse Rider.

Cory Hanson on World Cafe

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Tune-Yards Shares The Inspiration Behind 'Sketchy'

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Pooneh Ghana/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Tune-Yards Shares The Inspiration Behind 'Sketchy'

XPN

When you listen to a song by Tune-Yards, it can be like listening to a beautiful, but abstract painting. Hear a live performance of songs from the band's latest album.

tune-yards on World Cafe

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The Weather Station Takes Us Inside The Songs Of 'Ignorance'

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Daniel Dorsa/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Weather Station Takes Us Inside The Songs Of 'Ignorance'

XPN

With The Weather Station's fifth album, Ignorance, Tamara Lindeman's lyricism is as sharp as ever, but she's also expanded her sound, leaving the purely folk realm to explore more experimental territory.

The Weather Station on World Cafe

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Meet Tamar Aphek, The Israeli Guitarist Who Plays 'Jazz & Roll'

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Rotem Lebel/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Meet Tamar Aphek, The Israeli Guitarist Who Plays 'Jazz & Roll'

XPN

The Tel Aviv musician talks about how her distinct sound revealed itself during improvisation.

Tamar Aphek on World Cafe

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No-No Boy Weaves Family And Other Immigrant Stories Into Catchy Folk Songs

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Diego Luis/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

No-No Boy Weaves Family And Other Immigrant Stories Into Catchy Folk Songs

XPN

Previously heard as a member of The Young Republic, Julian Saporiti's new project incorporates his own family history, including the experiences of his Vietnamese mother.

No-No Boy on World Cafe

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What The Radio Sounded Like In 1971

Los Angeles, January 1971: A pre-glam David Bowie jams at a party. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

World Cafe

What The Radio Sounded Like In 1971

XPN

NPR broadcast its first on-air original programming 50 years ago today: May 3, 1971.

Celebrating NPR's 50th On World Cafe

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Get Familiar With Elizabeth King's Long Journey

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Matt White/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Get Familiar With Elizabeth King's Long Journey

XPN

Gospel singer Elizabeth King is unstoppable. In this episode, she talks about how she musters the strength and power to persevere at 78 years old.

Elizabeth King on World Cafe

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Rickie Lee Jones Shares The Soundtrack To Her Youth

Rickie Lee Jones and Tom Waits as seen in Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour. Sal Sdestro/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sal Sdestro/Courtesy of the artist

New Orleans Sessions

Rickie Lee Jones Shares The Soundtrack To Her Youth

XPN

Rickie Lee Jones opens up about the stories and characters of her own story in her new memoir.

Rickie Lee Jones on World Cafe

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Listen: The Lumineers And Gregory Alan Isakov Cover Each Other's Songs

Gregory Alan Isakov (left) and The Lumineers cover one another's work on Amerikinda: 20 Years of Dualtone, a new compilation celebrating the Nashville label's artists and alums. Rebecca Caridad/Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Rebecca Caridad/Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artists

Studio Sessions

Listen: The Lumineers And Gregory Alan Isakov Cover Each Other's Songs

XPN

On Amerikinda: 20 Years Of Dualtone — a new compilation celebrating the Nashville label — The Lumineers cover "Caves" by Gregory Alan Isakov, while Isakov covers The Lumineers' own "Salt and the Sea."

Loretta Lynn Transforms Classic Songs On 'Still Woman Enough'

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David McClister/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Loretta Lynn Transforms Classic Songs On 'Still Woman Enough'

XPN

The 89-year-old icon collaborates with artists like Margo Price and Tanya Tucker on her 50th studio album.

Loretta Lynn on World Cafe

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Jon Batiste Can't Keep His Fingers Off The Piano

Jon Batiste performs live for WXPN. WXPN hide caption

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WXPN

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Jon Batiste Can't Keep His Fingers Off The Piano

XPN

Joining us from The Late Show studio, Batiste spontaneously starts playing piano during a conversation about his role on the show, composing for the Disney/Pixar film Soul, and his own latest album.

Jon Batiste on World Cafe

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Get Up And Dance To A Mini-Concert From Jupiter & Okwess

Jupiter & Okwess perform live for World Cafe Jupiter & Okwess /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jupiter & Okwess /Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Get Up And Dance To A Mini-Concert From Jupiter & Okwess

XPN

Jupiter & Okwess' music blends Congolese, American and European influences and is undeniably fun.

Jupiter & Okwess On World Cafe

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Shakey Graves Ruminates On 10 Years Of 'Roll The Bones'

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Magen Buse/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Shakey Graves Ruminates On 10 Years Of 'Roll The Bones'

XPN

Alejandro Rose Garcia's 2011 album is one of Bandcamp's most downloaded folk records. He joins us to discuss the record's deluxe reissue.

Shakey Graves on World Cafe

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The Culture Corner: 30 Years Since Massive Attack's 'Blue Lines'

Massive Attack performs live on Sept. 20, 2019, at The Met in Philadelphia. Matthew Shaver/WXPN hide caption

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Matthew Shaver/WXPN

Review

Studio Sessions

The Culture Corner: 30 Years Since Massive Attack's 'Blue Lines'

XPN

Thirty years ago, U.K. band Massive Attack released its debut album, Blue Lines, and changed music forever. We go back to the early '90s in Bristol in this first installment of The Culture Corner.

World Cafe's Culture Corner: Massive Attack

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Julien Baker's 'Little Oblivions' Goes Deep And Gets Personal

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Alysse Gafjken/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Julien Baker's 'Little Oblivions' Goes Deep And Gets Personal

XPN

On Baker's new album, there's no shying away from the tough stuff.

Julien Baker On World Cafe

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The Lumineers' Jeremiah Fraites Made A Record That Sounds Nothing Like The Lumineers

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Roberto Graziano Moro/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Lumineers' Jeremiah Fraites Made A Record That Sounds Nothing Like The Lumineers

XPN

The co-founder of one of the biggest bands on the planet steps out to make an ... instrumental piano record.

Jeremiah Fraites on World Cafe

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Aaron Lee Tasjan's New Album Touches On Health, Being Alone, And Money

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Curtis Wayne Millard/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Aaron Lee Tasjan's New Album Touches On Health, Being Alone, And Money

XPN

Though these songs may sound like they were inspired by the pandemic, Aaron Lee Tasjan's had an anxious mind since before the lockdown.

Aaron Lee Tasjan on World Cafe

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David Gray Performs A Mini-Concert For World Cafe

David Gray performs live for World Cafe Still from video/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Still from video/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

David Gray Performs A Mini-Concert For World Cafe

XPN

Enjoy an intimate live performance of songs from Gray's latest album, Skellig.

David Gray on World Cafe

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Rick Steves Takes Us On A Musical Tour Of Europe

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Courtesy of Rick Steves

Studio Sessions

Rick Steves Takes Us On A Musical Tour Of Europe

XPN

Rick Steves is a travel guide, TV and radio host, and the author of several books. And lots of those stories have to do with music.

Rick Steves on World Cafe

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Get To Know Deep Sea Diver's Jessica Dobson

Jessica Dobson of Deep Sea Diver. Matt Wignall/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Matt Wignall/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Get To Know Deep Sea Diver's Jessica Dobson

XPN

Not only does Dobson play a wicked guitar on Deep Sea Diver's new album, it's also the first time she's ever co-produced.

Deep Sea Diver on World Cafe

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