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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
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Goat Girl's Punk Rock Self-Care

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Holly Whitaker/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Goat Girl's Punk Rock Self-Care

XPN

In 2021, "punk" can mean a lot of different things. It's an attitude, a viewpoint – it can even be a music genre. But the South London band Goat Girl embodies its own version entirely.

Goat Girl on World Cafe

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Samantha Crain Thought She'd Never Make Music Again
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World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Samantha Crain Thought She'd Never Make Music Again

XPN

Samantha Crain rose above a string of misfortune to release a celebrated album in 2020, called A Small Death – and is back this year with a fabulous new EP, I Guess We Live Here Now.

Samantha Crain on World Cafe

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On 'Jubilee,' Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner Enters The Springtime Of Life

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Peter Ashley Lee/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'Jubilee,' Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner Enters The Springtime Of Life

XPN

Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast performs for a live virtual audience and talks to World Cafe about everything from her recent memoir, to the change in sound on her latest album, Jubilee.

Japanese Breakfast on World Cafe

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On 'Delta Kream,' The Black Keys Pay Tribute To Hill Country Blues

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Joshua Black Wilkins/Courtesy of the aritst

Studio Sessions

On 'Delta Kream,' The Black Keys Pay Tribute To Hill Country Blues

XPN

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney discuss how Delta Kream came together and how the they got interested in hill country blues.

The Black Keys On World Cafe

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King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard On Making Microtonal Music During A Pandemic

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Jamie Wdziekonski/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard On Making Microtonal Music During A Pandemic

XPN

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's Stu Mackenzie shares new music and knowledge on microtonal music.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard on World Cafe

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Branford Marsalis' 'Ma Rainey' Score Makes 100-Year-Old Blues Sound Relevant Today

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Eric Ryan Anderson/Courtesy of the artist

New Orleans Sessions

Branford Marsalis' 'Ma Rainey' Score Makes 100-Year-Old Blues Sound Relevant Today

XPN

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom made its debut last year with a striking cast of characters, but it was Branford Marsalis' job to make the music take flight.

Branford Marsalis On World Cafe

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On 'Leftover Feelings,' John Hiatt And Jerry Douglas Work Their Magic In Unison

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Patrick Sheehan/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'Leftover Feelings,' John Hiatt And Jerry Douglas Work Their Magic In Unison

XPN

Two legendary musicians, John Hiatt and Jerry Douglas, team up on a new record called Leftover Feelings.

John Hiatt On World Cafe

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On 'Surrounded By Time,' Tom Jones Goes Beyond Simply Covering Others' Songs

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Rick Guest/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'Surrounded By Time,' Tom Jones Goes Beyond Simply Covering Others' Songs

XPN

Whatever you do, do not call Tom Jones' latest album a "covers album."

Tom Jones on World Cafe

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Message Music: Michael Mwenso Dives Deep Into The Meaning Of Music

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Oluwaseye/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Message Music: Michael Mwenso Dives Deep Into The Meaning Of Music

XPN

by , Michael Mwenso ,

Michael Mwenso guides us in exploring the deeper meaning of music, including tracks by Aretha Franklin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Ethel Waters.

Message Music Wtih Michael Mwesno

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The Culture Corner: Revisit The Matrix Of Kraftwerk's 'Computer World' 40 Years On

Kraftwerk perform during the Kraftwerk - Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8, Autobahn (1974) at The Museum of Modern Art on April 10, 2012 in New York City. Mike Coppola/Getty Images hide caption

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Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Studio Sessions

The Culture Corner: Revisit The Matrix Of Kraftwerk's 'Computer World' 40 Years On

XPN

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, John Morrison revisits Kraftwerk's Computer World and its importance then and now.

The Culture Corner: Kraftwerk's 'Computer World'

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How The Flaming Lips Bring The Warmth Of Concerts To Crowds, Despite The Pandemic

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George Salisbury/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

How The Flaming Lips Bring The Warmth Of Concerts To Crowds, Despite The Pandemic

XPN

The Flaming Lips are finding ways to bring grand, life-affirming live performances to audiences in a time when those comforts might be needed more than ever.

The Flaming Lips On World Cafe

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