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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
Silversun Pickups let go of expectations on 'Physical Thrills'

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Claire Marie Vogel/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Silversun Pickups let go of expectations on 'Physical Thrills'

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Brian Aubert and Nikki Monninger talk about the indie rock band's sixth studio album, Physical Thrills.

Silversun Pickups on World Cafe

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The Culture Corner: R&B music in the '70s

Aretha Franklin David Redfern/Getty Images hide caption

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David Redfern/Getty Images

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The Culture Corner: R&B music in the '70s

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To celebrate Black History Month, World Cafe is exploring the Black roots of R&B through the decades, beginning with the '70s.

The Culture Corner on World Cafe

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'Sound Opinions' radio show hosts on the albums that define Chicago

The Staple Singers perform at Wattstax, a benefit concert that took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 20, 1972. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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'Sound Opinions' radio show hosts on the albums that define Chicago

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World Cafe asked veteran music journalists Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot of Sound Opinions to choose the definitive Chicago album.

Sound Opinions on World Cafe

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Step inside the 'birthplace of gospel music'

Music director Stanley Stovall stands inside Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, which is widely considered "the birthplace of gospel music." Miguel Perez/WXPN hide caption

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Step inside the 'birthplace of gospel music'

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Chicago's Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church played a pivotal role in the evolution of gospel.

Ebenezer Missionary Gospel Church on World Cafe

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Chicago's jazz scene was the perfect place for Makaya McCraven to break the rules

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Chicago's jazz scene was the perfect place for Makaya McCraven to break the rules

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The "beat scientist" and composer chats about his musical upbringing and his approach to remixing live music.

Makaya McCraven on World Cafe

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Here are 5 Chicago soul records you should know

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Guillaume Ziccarelli/Courtesy of the artist

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Here are 5 Chicago soul records you should know

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Ayana Contreras, host of WBEZ's Reclaimed Soul, talks about what makes Chicago soul special.

Ayana Contreras on World Cafe

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This Chicago store is a must if you're on the hunt for rare, vintage guitars

Instrumentalist Nathaniel Murphy is often called upon to try out the many guitars inside the Chicago Music Exchange. Miguel Perez/WXPN hide caption

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This Chicago store is a must if you're on the hunt for rare, vintage guitars

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The city's Chicago Music Exchange boasts a massive showroom that looks more like a museum of musical instruments.

Chicago Music Exchange on World Cafe

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Chicago's indie music scene is thriving inside this college student's apartment

A crowd gathers before Chicago indie band Friko performs at Eli Schmitt's apartment as part of his New Now concert series. Kimberly Junod/WXPN hide caption

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Kimberly Junod/WXPN

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Chicago's indie music scene is thriving inside this college student's apartment

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DePaul University student Eli Schmitt hosts live performances from local bands as part of his New Now series.

New Now on World Cafe

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Chicago rapper Pinqy Ring knows you can't have a music scene without community

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Chicago rapper Pinqy Ring knows you can't have a music scene without community

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The Puerto Rican rapper and educator travels all over the city and the world using hip hop as a way to connect.

Pinqy Ring on World Cafe

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A 'product child of Chicago,' KAINA is learning to savor the home she's made here

KAINA Dennis Elliott/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Dennis Elliott/Courtesy of the artist

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A 'product child of Chicago,' KAINA is learning to savor the home she's made here

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The musician talks about her latest album, It Was A Home, and the creative community she's fostered in Chicago.

KAINA on World Cafe

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Dos Santos' sound is a cultural melting pot as eclectic as their Chicago home

Dos Santos Jose Calvo/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jose Calvo/Courtesy of the artist

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Dos Santos' sound is a cultural melting pot as eclectic as their Chicago home

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The Chicago band pulls from a mix of Latin influences to create their unique take on psychedelic rock.

Dos Santos on World Cafe

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Legendary audio engineer Steve Albini built his Chicago studio brick by brick

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Legendary audio engineer Steve Albini built his Chicago studio brick by brick

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The man behind albums by Nirvana, the Pixies and more opens the doors to Electrical Audio and details his egalitarian approach to working with musicians.

Steve Albini on World Cafe

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Pigface to Reznor: Here's what you'll find in Chicago's new industrial rock museum

Martin Atkins Stephen Kallao/WXPN hide caption

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Pigface to Reznor: Here's what you'll find in Chicago's new industrial rock museum

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Industrial music heavyweight Martin Atkins pulled from his personal collection of memorabilia to create Chicago's new Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music.

Martin Atkins on World Cafe

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Demi Lovato finally gets to unleash her anger on 'HOLY F***'

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Demi Lovato finally gets to unleash her anger on 'HOLY F***'

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Demi Lovato reflects on the limitations of the "hyper-feminine pop star" and embracing a hard rock sound on her latest album, HOLY F***.

Demi Lovato on World Cafe

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Danielle Ponder found her own voice after years of giving a voice to others

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Danielle Ponder found her own voice after years of giving a voice to others

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For a long time, singing was something Danielle Ponder did on the side, but with the release of her debut album, Some of Us Are Brave, last fall, it's become her main focus.

Danielle Ponder on World Cafe

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Captain Kirk Douglas dives into a 'New Unknown'

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Captain Kirk Douglas dives into a 'New Unknown'

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Captain Kirk Douglas, the guitarist and vocalist for The Roots, talks about his second solo album, New Unknown.

Captain Kirk Douglas on World Cafe

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Alvvays hopes a sip of 'Blue Rev' will transport you to a different time

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Alvvays hopes a sip of 'Blue Rev' will transport you to a different time

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Alvvays frontwoman Molly Rankin talks about the stolen demos and recording experiments that led to the Canadian band's latest album, Blue Rev.

Alvvays on World Cafe

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Oliver Sim invokes the misunderstood horror movie villain on 'Hideous Bastard'

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Studio Sessions

Oliver Sim invokes the misunderstood horror movie villain on 'Hideous Bastard'

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Oliver Sim, the bass guitarist and vocalist for The xx talks about making "Hideous Bastard," his striking debut solo record.

Oliver Sim on World Cafe

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Death Cab for Cutie relinquishes control on 'Asphalt Meadows'

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Death Cab for Cutie relinquishes control on 'Asphalt Meadows'

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The band took a new approach to songwriting on their 10th studio album.

Death Cab For Cutie on World Cafe

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Take a walk down memory lane with Pavement

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Studio Sessions

Take a walk down memory lane with Pavement

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In this session, Pavement percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Bob Nastanovich talks about the band's enduring legacy and discovery by younger fans.

OLD

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Shemekia Copeland wants to sow understanding on 'Done Come Too Far'

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Shemekia Copeland wants to sow understanding on 'Done Come Too Far'

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Copeland, widely considered one of the greatest blues singers of her generation, talks about the third installment in a trilogy of albums.

Shemekia Copeland on World Cafe

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