Studio Sessions : World Cafe : NPR

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

World Cafe

Essential and Emerging Artists

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Studio Sessions

Candi Staton Sean Cokes/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sean Cokes/Courtesy of the artist

XPN

October 19, 2018 • The gospel and soul star has earned the title of her latest album, Unstoppable, many times over.

Candi Staton On World Cafe

36:37

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Alejandro Escovedo Nancy Escovedo/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Nancy Escovedo/Courtesy of the artist

Alejandro Escovedo On World Cafe

XPN

October 17, 2018 • The Crossing, Escovedo's latest album with Don Antonio, showcases the roots prowess the musician's known for, but also pushes in directions that you might not expect.

Alejandro Escovedo On World Cafe

29:59

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Hear The Bangles Cover The Three O'Clock For Paisley Underground Compilation

XPN

October 9, 2018 • The Bangles, The Three O'Clock, The Dream Syndicate and Rain Parade all cover each others' songs for the project, which celebrates the psychedelic rock scene from the early 1980s.

HAERTS inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

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Galea McGregor/WXPN

XPN

October 5, 2018 • Listening to HAERTS' album 'New Compassion' feels like you're hearing a couple work through their relationship from both sides in real time.

HAERTS On World Cafe

24:01

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The Supreme Court Is A Musical Muse For 'Radiolab' Host Jad Abumrad

Jad Abumrad WNYC Studios hide caption

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WNYC Studios

The Supreme Court Is A Musical Muse For 'Radiolab' Host Jad Abumrad

XPN

October 3, 2018 • Host Jad Abumrad discusses '27: The Most Perfect Album,' an album inspired by amendments to the United States Constitution.

Jad Abumrad On World Cafe

45:31

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Aaron Lee Tasjan performs live for World Cafe. Still from video/WXPN hide caption

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Still from video/WXPN

Aaron Lee Tasjan On World Cafe

XPN

October 1, 2018 • Tasjan's latest album walks a fine line between timelessness and a record very much of this moment.

Aaron Lee Tasjan On World Cafe

28:22

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World Cafe Nashville: The War And Treaty

The War and Treaty David McClister/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David McClister/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Nashville: The War And Treaty

XPN

September 28, 2018 • This duo makes inspirational music pulled from Americana roots music and the couple's personal experience of surviving and thriving in the sometimes perilous 21st Century.

The War And Treaty On World Cafe

38:08

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DeVotchKa Performs live at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert. Recorded live for World Cafe. Senia Lopez/WXPN hide caption

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Senia Lopez/WXPN

XPN

September 27, 2018 • DeVotchKa has released a handful of charming albums that blend the spirit of indie, cabaret and world music with a whole lot more that can't be described.

DeVotchKa On World Cafe

36:34

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"It was the greatest time of my life. Living the dream of dreams," Steve Perry says, "But you don't have to look too far to see people not surviving fame and fortune." Myriam Santos/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Myriam Santos/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Steve Perry Makes His Return

XPN

September 21, 2018 • Perry's latest solo album, Traces, out Oct. 5, marks his reunion with his own voice. And yes, it's emotional.

Steve Perry On World Cafe

34:01

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Between Chaos And Desire: A Conversation With Christine And The Queens

Christine and the Queens Jamie Morgan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jamie Morgan/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Between Chaos And Desire: A Conversation With Christine And The Queens

XPN

September 20, 2018 • Talia Schlanger chats with pop music's weird cousin about the new album Chris and its blurred distinctions between aggressive and vulnerable, masculine and feminine, identity and presentation.

Christine and the Queens On World Cafe

29:06

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Leon Bridges Jack McKain/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jack McKain/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Leon Bridges On World Cafe

XPN

September 19, 2018 • Although Leon Bridges didn't perform live songs with a band for this session, he required no special prodding to croon a capella during our chat.

Leon Bridges On World Cafe

25:54

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Dawn Landes in side the World Cafe Performance Studio Dylan Eddinger/WXPN hide caption

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Dylan Eddinger/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Dawn Landes On World Cafe

XPN

September 14, 2018 • Landes' voice and songwriting sound like such a seamless fit for classic Nashville.

Dawn Landes On World Cafe

23:58

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Ry Cooder Joachim Cooder/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Joachim Cooder/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Ry Cooder On World Cafe

XPN

September 7, 2018 • Cooder and his band re-imagine some of those classic blues and gospel songs he loved as boy. He discusses how his latest album 'Prodigal Son' is ultimately about reverence.

Ry Cooder On World Cafe

26:48

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Wayne Kramer Mike Barich/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mike Barich/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Wayne Kramer On World Cafe

XPN

September 5, 2018 • As an innovator of punk 10 years before the genre had a name, Wayne Kramer has seen some things. His new autobiography is no fairy tale, though there is something magical about it.

Wayne Kramer On World Cafe

34:43

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Matt Mays with his band inside the World Cafe Performance Studio. Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

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Galea McGregor/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Matt Mays On World Cafe

XPN

September 4, 2018 • Leave it to Mays to infuse a daytime studio visit with the spirit of a super sweaty, late night at your favorite dive bar.

Matt Mays On World Cafe

28:23

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Meg Myers Brantley Gutierrez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Brantley Gutierrez/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Meg Myers On World Cafe

XPN

August 31, 2018 • Myers' music is a bit like Nine Inch Nails got into a fight with the Pixies, with some incredibly dynamic vocals thrown in the mix.

Meg Myers On World Cafe

25:51

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David Byrne (left) with World Cafe Host, Talia Schlanger (right) backstage at the 2018 XPoNential Music Festival. John Myers/WXPN hide caption

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John Myers/WXPN

Studio Sessions

David Byrne Digs For Wonder

August 29, 2018 • David Byrne, musician and all-around wonder archaeologist, visits the World Cafe Studios in Philadelphia to talk about animals, bicycles, civic obligations and his latest album 'American Utopia.'

David Byrne On World Cafe

22:22

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Gorillaz J.C. Hewlett/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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J.C. Hewlett/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Gorillaz On World Cafe

XPN

August 24, 2018 • Beyond being intelligent, thoughtful and perceptive, Gorillaz band member Damon Albarn is incredibly gregarious, infectious and fun.

Gorillaz On World Cafe

39:38

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Dermot Kennedy Jack McKain /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jack McKain /Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Dermot Kennedy On World Cafe

XPN

August 23, 2018 • Listening to this Irish singer is like hearing someone drag their own heart through their vocal cords and send it right up to the heavens.

Dermot Kennedy On World Cafe

29:39

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Rayland Baxter performing at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert on July 13, 2018 - recorded live for the World Cafe. Senia Lopez/WXPN hide caption

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Studio Sessions

Rayland Baxter On World Cafe

XPN

August 22, 2018 • A slick mix of power pop, rock, folk and even a little glam make up Rayland Baxter's latest album 'Wide Awake.'

Rayland Baxter On World Cafe

30:39

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Vanessa Parr inside Studio B at Village Studios in Los Angeles. Larry Mah/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Larry Mah/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Vanessa Parr On World Cafe

XPN

August 21, 2018 • The seasoned engineer behind hits from Lucinda Williams and Rhiannon Giddens gives fans a look on the other side of the glass.

Vanessa Parr On World Cafe

23:50

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Death Cab For Cutie Is Thankful For 20 Years Of Memories

Death Cab For Cutie inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Dylan Eddinger/WXPN hide caption

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Dylan Eddinger/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Death Cab For Cutie Is Thankful For 20 Years Of Memories

XPN

August 16, 2018 • "We're still considered by virtually everybody as an indie band," says Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard.

Death Cab For Cutie On World Cafe

47:18

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