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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
Hear Ben Folds Perform Songs From His New Album, 'What Matters Most'

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Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Hear Ben Folds Perform Songs From His New Album, 'What Matters Most'

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Ben Folds has been playing music since the late '80s – becoming famous in the '90s with his band Ben Folds Five, and following that up with a fruitful and creative solo career that's seen him release four full-length solo albums, including a brand new one called What Matters Most. On this episode of World Cafe, Ben Folds digs into the way he thinks about songwriting and storytelling. Plus you'll hear some live performances recorded exclusively for the World Cafe.

Hear Ben Folds Perform Songs From His New Album, 'What Matters Most'

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Hear Abe Partridge's 30A Songwriters Session

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Studio Sessions

Hear Abe Partridge's 30A Songwriters Session

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Abe Partridge is a singer-songwriter and folk musician from Mobile, Ala. Since the release of his debut album in 2018, Cotton Fields and Blood for Days, Abe has toured across the U.S. and U.K., becoming a regular booking at folk festivals. Abe's latest album is Love in the Dark, and he performs songs from it during a mini-concert recorded in January by WMOT at the 30A Songwriters Festival, one of the premiere singer-songwriter festivals in the U.S. that takes place along the Emerald Coast in northwestern Florida.

Hear Abe Partridge's 30A Songwriters Session

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Hear Tom Rush's 30A Songwriters Session

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Studio Sessions

Hear Tom Rush's 30A Songwriters Session

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The legendary folk singer-songwriter Tom Rush performs songs from his career during the 30A Songwriters Sessions, recorded in January by WMOT at the songwriter festival in Florida.

Hear Tom Rush's 30A Songwriters Session

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The Culture Corner revisits The Roots' 'Organix'

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Studio Sessions

The Culture Corner revisits The Roots' 'Organix'

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In a new Culture Corner, John Morrison talks about how The Roots' approach – hip-hop with a live band – was connected to the history of hip-hop and how it helped shape the genre's future... and started The Roots on the road to becoming one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time.

The Culture Corner revisits The Roots' 'Organix'

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Graham Nash finds harmony with his own voice on 'Now'

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Amy Grantham/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Graham Nash finds harmony with his own voice on 'Now'

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The musician talks about his latest album and shares memories of the late David Crosby.

Graham Nash on World Cafe

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Arlo Parks find her strength in softness on her sophomore record

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Alexandra Waespi/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Arlo Parks find her strength in softness on her sophomore record

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Mercury Prize-winner Arlo Parks chats about her new album, My Soft Machine, plus catch live performances.

Arlo Parks on World Cafe

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Dave Matthews appreciates his voice more now than ever

Dave Matthews performing acoustic for World Cafe in his home studio. Stephen Kallao/WXPN hide caption

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Stephen Kallao/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Dave Matthews appreciates his voice more now than ever

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Join us for a trip to Seattle to visit with Dave Matthews for an acoustic performance in his home studio.

Dave Matthews on World Cafe

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Why Dr. Dog's Scott McMicken called on a band of strangers for his solo record

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Wyndham Garnett/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Why Dr. Dog's Scott McMicken called on a band of strangers for his solo record

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The musician talks about making Shabang with the help of his group, THE EVER-EXPANDING.

Scott McMicken on World Cafe

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How culture wars and conspiracy theories inspired Sleaford Mods' latest album

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Ewen Spencer/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

How culture wars and conspiracy theories inspired Sleaford Mods' latest album

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The British duo Sleaford Mods talks about the influences behind their latest album, UK GRIM.

Sleafod Mods on World Cafe

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The key to writing a boygenius song? Tell the truth.

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Matt Grub/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The key to writing a boygenius song? Tell the truth.

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Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus chat about group therapy, Rainer Maria Rilke and the making of their debut album as boygenius.

boygenius on World Cafe

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Devon Gilfillian's latest album is a bold declaration of Black joy

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Emmanuel Afolabi/Courtesy of the artist

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Devon Gilfillian's latest album is a bold declaration of Black joy

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The Nashville-based musician talks about writing and recording Love You Anyway.

Devon Gilfillian on World Cafe

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For Lizzy McAlpine, songwriting is all about trusting your instincts

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Caity Krone/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

For Lizzy McAlpine, songwriting is all about trusting your instincts

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The Philadelphia native chats about the story behind her breakout record, five seconds flat.

Lizzy McAlpine on World Cafe

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Set sail for Caroline Polachek's island

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Aidan Zamiri/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Set sail for Caroline Polachek's island

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The pop star talks about the myriad sonic and visual influences behind her new record, Desire, I Want To Turn Into You.

Caroline Polachek on World Cafe

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