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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
World Cafe 30th Anniversary: First Times

Alabama Shakes (by Autumn de Wilde), Lizzo (by John Vettese/WXPN), Courtney Barnett (by Milk! Records), Ray Lamontagne (by WXPN) Autumn de Wilde hide caption

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Autumn de Wilde

WC30

World Cafe 30th Anniversary: First Times

XPN

In our World Cafe First Times series, we'll dig into our archives to hear some very early performances from artists destined for big, big things.

"How Many More Times?"

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Sleater-Kinney's 'Path Of Wellness' marks time of great change, within and without

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Karen Murphy/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Sleater-Kinney's 'Path Of Wellness' marks time of great change, within and without

XPN

Sleater-Kinney's new album is the first they produced themselves, the first without Janet Weiss and amidst the backdrop of wildfires, pandemic and protests.

Sleater-Kinney on World Cafe

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Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine interpret the movies on 'A Beginner's Mind'

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Daniel Anum Jasper/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine interpret the movies on 'A Beginner's Mind'

XPN

Every song on Stevens the album is connected with a movie, inspired by late nights watching films during a month-long stay in upstate New York.

Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine on World Cafe

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Collective connection drives Lukas Nelson's new album 'A Few Stars Apart'

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Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Collective connection drives Lukas Nelson's new album 'A Few Stars Apart'

XPN

While the pandemic has been immeasurably difficult, there were also some silver linings for Lukas Nelson – like getting to spend more time with family.

Lukas Nelson on World Cafe

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The Record Company expanded its horizons with new record, 'Play Loud'

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Travis Shinn/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Record Company expanded its horizons with new record, 'Play Loud'

XPN

The World Cafe caught up with Chris Vos and Alex Stiff from the band to talk about the new faces working on their latest album.

The Record Company on World Cafe

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Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis: The songwriting and production duo you know, but don't

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Marselle Washington/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis: The songwriting and production duo you know, but don't

XPN

Jam & Lewis are the duo behind a ton of R&B hits from stars like Usher, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige and more. And boy do they have some stories to tell!

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on World Cafe

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'The Return of Pachyman' is a 21st century take on the classic dub foundation

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Abraham Recio/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

'The Return of Pachyman' is a 21st century take on the classic dub foundation

XPN

In this session, enjoy a mini-set and conversation with Pachyman, who's love for dub is infectious.

Pachyman on World Cafe

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Bruce Dickinson talks everything Iron Maiden, and a whole lot of other things

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Nidhal Marzouk/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Bruce Dickinson talks everything Iron Maiden, and a whole lot of other things

XPN

Not only is he the lead singer of one of the most important and most influential metal bands of all time, Dickinson is also a licensed pilot, an accomplished fencer and a frontman with seemingly endless energy.

Iron Maiden on World Cafe

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Brandi Carlile: The World Cafe Interview

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Neil Krug/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Brandi Carlile: The World Cafe Interview

XPN

We spoke with the Americana superstar about her new album, In These Silent Days, and her recent memoir, Broken Horses. Get cozy.

Brandi Carlile on World Cafe

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The Culture Corner: The Legacy Of Two 1991 Albums Released On The Same Day

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Getty Images

Studio Sessions

The Culture Corner: The Legacy Of Two 1991 Albums Released On The Same Day

XPN

We're taking listeners back 30 years ago, to a memorable day in music history — September 24, 1991. On that day, two important records were released: Nirvana's Nevermind and A Tribe Called Quest's Low End Theory.

The Culture Corner: Nirvana And A Tribe Called Quest

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Mickey Guyton Is a Country Artist With a Big Voice and an Even Bigger Message

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Bonnie Nichoalds /Courtesy of the artist

Nashville Sessions

Mickey Guyton Is a Country Artist With a Big Voice and an Even Bigger Message

XPN

In this episode of World Cafe, Mickey Guyton talks about Spotify's role in making her music more visible, women in country music getting "chicked," her debut album, Remember Her Name, and more.

Mickey Guyton on World Cafe

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On 'Star-Crossed,' Kacey Musgraves Embraces Tragedy

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Adreienne Raquel/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'Star-Crossed,' Kacey Musgraves Embraces Tragedy

XPN

Kacey Musgraves' latest album, Star-Crossed, chronicles the end of a relationship, through divorce and healing.

Kacey Musgraves on World Cafe

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Merry Clayton On 'Beautiful Scars' And A Life Of Singing

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Mathieu Bitton/Courtesy of the artist

New Orleans Sessions

Merry Clayton On 'Beautiful Scars' And A Life Of Singing

XPN

In the late 1960s, Merry Clayton was one of the most sought after backup singers. Her new album, released in April of this year, is called Beautiful Scars.

Merry Clayton on World Cafe

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Watch The 2021 Americana Honors & Awards Live Stream

Margo Price (by Bobbi Rich), Jason Isbell (by Alysse Gafkjen), Valerie June (by Renata Raksha), Charley Crockett (by Bobby Cochran). Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

Nashville Sessions

Watch The 2021 Americana Honors & Awards Live Stream

XPN

The Americana Honors & Awards have celebrated pioneering veteran artists and trailblazing newcomers. The ceremony is the hallmark event of the annual AMERICANAFEST, which returns on Sept. 22.

Reintroducing Matthew E. White, The Musician With A Producer's Brain

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Cameron Lewis/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Reintroducing Matthew E. White, The Musician With A Producer's Brain

XPN

On his latest album, K Bay, the singer-songwriter made music in a variety of studios and used a variety of sonic tricks.

Matthew E. White on World Cafe

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On 'The Roadside,' Billy Idol Reunites With An Old Collaborator

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Steven Sebring /Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'The Roadside,' Billy Idol Reunites With An Old Collaborator

XPN

This month, Billy Idol released The Roadside, a four song EP made with his longtime guitarist and cowriter, Steve Stevens.

Billy Idol on World cafe

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On 'A Southern Gothic,' Adia Victoria Reckons With Her Relationship To The South

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Huy Van Nguyen/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'A Southern Gothic,' Adia Victoria Reckons With Her Relationship To The South

XPN

On A Southern Gothic, her third full-length album, Adia Victoria emerges as a songwriter capable of nuance and atmosphere.

Adia Victoria on World Cafe

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