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Studio Sessions : World Cafe Artists in conversation and performance from the World Cafe studios in Philadelphia.

World Cafe

Essential and Emerging Artists

Studio Sessions

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

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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'

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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

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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

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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

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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'

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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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Toronto rapper Shad discusses the evolution of Canadian hip-hop

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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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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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The Culture Corner: Tom Tom Club and 'Genius Of Love'

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Studio Sessions

The Culture Corner: Tom Tom Club and 'Genius Of Love'

XPN

On today's Culture Corner, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison explores why Tom Tom Club's music has been so popular among producers and music samplers.

The Culture Corner: Tom Tom Club

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Béla Fleck goes back to bluegrass, his first musical love

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Alan Messer/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Béla Fleck goes back to bluegrass, his first musical love

XPN

For the first time in over two decades, Fleck has returned to the genre with My Bluegrass Heart, an ambitious double album.

Bela Fleck on World Cafe

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There's a special energy when My Morning Jacket gather in a room

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Austin Nelson/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

There's a special energy when My Morning Jacket gather in a room

XPN

Hear My Morning Jacket perform songs from its self-titled album, recorded live at RCA Studio A in Nashville.

My Morning Jacket On World Cafe

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Let's go deep on Yola's 'Stand For Yourself'

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Joseph Ross/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Let's go deep on Yola's 'Stand For Yourself'

XPN

In this session, Yola talks about what it means to "own thyself," shedding an inferior version of herself, working with Brandi Carlile and playing Sister Rosetta Tharpe for a new movie about Elvis.

Yola on World Cafe

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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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