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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
The Culture Corner: Sly and the Family Stone's 'There's A Riot Goin' On' turns 50

Sly and the Family Stone circa 1971. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

The Culture Corner: Sly and the Family Stone's 'There's A Riot Goin' On' turns 50

XPN

On today's Culture Corner, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison dives into the 1971 album, exploring its songs and the unique way it combines genres.

The Culture Corner: Sly & The Family Stone

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Dave Grohl shares snapshots of a life in rock

Dave Grohl Magda Wosinska/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Magda Wosinska/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Dave Grohl shares snapshots of a life in rock

XPN

Dave Grohl joins World Cafe to talk about his new memoir. He'll share snapshots of his life in rock: how he got there, what it's been like and how he's kept having such a good time.

Dave Grohl on World Cafe

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Robert Plant and Alison Krauss team up again, 14 years later, to 'Raise The Roof'

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss David McClister/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David McClister/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss team up again, 14 years later, to 'Raise The Roof'

XPN

In this session, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss discuss their new album, Raise The Roof, and what they love about working together.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on World Cafe

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William Shatner, fresh from low orbit, shows off his range on new record 'Bill'

William Shatner Manfred Baumann/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Manfred Baumann/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

William Shatner, fresh from low orbit, shows off his range on new record 'Bill'

XPN

In this session we get into Shatner's new record, he shares stories from his colorful life, including a recent trip to space.

William Shatner on World Cafe

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Jade Bird's 'Different Kinds of Light' spotlights her skill as a lyricist

Jade Bird performs live for a WXPN Free At Noon Concert Paige Walter/WXPN hide caption

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Paige Walter/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Jade Bird's 'Different Kinds of Light' spotlights her skill as a lyricist

XPN

Much like Jade Bird in real life, the songs are accessible, thoughtful and nuanced. She has a gift as a singer-songwriter to write in a universal way.

Jade Bird on World Cafe

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Hear The War On Drugs perform songs from 'I Don't Live Here Anymore'

The War On Drugs perform live for World Cafe Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Hear The War On Drugs perform songs from 'I Don't Live Here Anymore'

XPN

Like magic, these live performances have the same amount of precision and craftsmanship as the album versions do. Hear The War On Drugs perform, live in, studio for the World Cafe.

The War On Drugs on World Cafe

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Natalie Hemby's sophomore album celebrates '90s throwback sonics

Natalie Hemby performs for WXPN's Free At Noon Concert. Recorded live for World Cafe. WXPN hide caption

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WXPN

Nashville Sessions

Natalie Hemby's sophomore album celebrates '90s throwback sonics

XPN

The songwriter, who has worked behind the scenes in the Nashville music community, has released her sophomore solo album, Pins and Needles.

Natalie Hemby on World Cafe

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Susto's new album 'Time in the Sun' is a deeply reflective and personal record

Susto Sully Sullivan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sully Sullivan/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Susto's new album 'Time in the Sun' is a deeply reflective and personal record

XPN

The South Carolina band recorded a session featuring tracks from its record Time in the Sun from Sputnik Sound in Nashville.

Susto on World Cafe

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Mustafa's debut album is a tribute to the Toronto community he grew up in

Mustafa Frank Dukes /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Frank Dukes /Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Mustafa's debut album is a tribute to the Toronto community he grew up in

XPN

In this session, enjoy a conversation with Toronto-raised singer-songwriter Mustafa, along with live performances of songs from his debut full length album, When Smoke Rises.

Mustafa on World Cafe

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'Things Take Time, Take Time' is Courtney Barnett's new mantra

Courtney Barnett Mia Mala McDonald/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mia Mala McDonald/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

'Things Take Time, Take Time' is Courtney Barnett's new mantra

XPN

Barnett's new album was shaped by time in many ways — time off, time alone, time kept. In this session we'll hear a live performance recorded during Barnett's New Zealand tour.

Courtney Barnett on World Cafe

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Houndmouth returns to its Indiana roots with 'Good For You'

Houndmouth Francis Dumstorf/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Francis Dumstorf/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Houndmouth returns to its Indiana roots with 'Good For You'

XPN

Houndmouth recorded its latest record from a 19th-century shotgun house in New Albany, Ind. The result is a recharged band and a refined batch of songs.

Houndmouth on World Cafe

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Nathaniel Rateliff on 'The Future' and how it all came together
Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Nathaniel Rateliff on 'The Future' and how it all came together

XPN

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats perform songs from their first full-length studio album in four years.

Nathaniel Rateliff on World Cafe

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Toronto rapper Shad discusses the evolution of Canadian hip-hop

Shad Justin Broadbent/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Justin Broadbent/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Toronto rapper Shad discusses the evolution of Canadian hip-hop

XPN

Shad is an award-winning rapper, writer and host of the documentary series Hip-Hop Evolution. In this session, we dig into Shad's new album and hear live performances.

Shad on World Cafe

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Amythyst Kiah's 'Wary + Strange' is an unusual combination

Amythyst Kiah Sandlin Gaither/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sandlin Gaither/Courtesy of the artist

Nashville Sessions

Amythyst Kiah's 'Wary + Strange' is an unusual combination

XPN

Kiah talks music and history with Nashville correspondent Jessie Scott, exploring how she crafts lyrics from both lived and observed experiences.

Amythyst Kiah on World Cafe

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Feel the music: A live festival performance from Strand of Oaks

Strand of Oaks performs at WXPN's 2021 XPoNential Music Festival Megan Matuzak/WXPN hide caption

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Megan Matuzak/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Feel the music: A live festival performance from Strand of Oaks

XPN

Timothy Showalter is one of those people who feels... and makes you feel, too, both in conversation, where he's earnest and generous and empathetic, and with his music.

Strand Of Oaks on World Cafe

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