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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

Rescued From The Vault: Nat Turner Rebellion

Members of the Nat Turner Rebellion ride in a parade during a Harambe Festival in Springfield, Mass., in the early 1970s. Pictured from left: Major Harris, Ron Hopper, Bill Stratley and Joe Jefferson. Courtesy of Reservoir Media hide caption

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Courtesy of Reservoir Media

Studio Sessions

Rescued From The Vault: Nat Turner Rebellion

XPN

An album from 50 years ago that could have been a total classic is resurrected from the archives.

Nat Turner Rebellion On World Cafe

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The Head And The Heart's 'Living Mirage' Has An Emphasis On Starting Fresh

The Head And The Heart James Minchin/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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James Minchin/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Head And The Heart's 'Living Mirage' Has An Emphasis On Starting Fresh

XPN

The band talks about its trip to Joshua Tree and the new writing that it inspired.

The Head And The Heart On World Cafe

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Yola Walked Through Fire And Came Out Singing

Yola Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Yola Walked Through Fire And Came Out Singing

XPN

The songs on Yola's debut solo album ring out with the triumphant air of someone who has withstood the flames en route to achieving their dreams.

Yola On World Cafe

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Karen O And Danger Mouse Unlock A New Creative Universe

Danger Mouse (left) and Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O (right) Eliot Lee Hazel/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Eliot Lee Hazel/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Karen O And Danger Mouse Unlock A New Creative Universe

XPN

On Karen O And Danger Mouse's debut collaboration, Lux Prima, the sound is inviting, thrilling and entirely distinct from the voices they each are known for in their own careers.

Karen O And Danger Mouse On World Cafe

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George Benson Has A Story To Tell

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Austin Hargrave/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

George Benson Has A Story To Tell

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Guitar virtuoso George Benson shares tales of working with jazz greats and creating an album dedicated to Chuck Berry and Fats Domino.

George Benson On World Cafe

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Pedro The Lion's Homecoming, 15 Years In The Making

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Ryan Russell/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Pedro The Lion's Homecoming, 15 Years In The Making

XPN

Pedro the Lion's latest album, Phoenix, houses many of David Bazan's childhood memories and stunning moments of personal poetry.

Pedro The Lion On World Cafe

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Snarky Puppy's Full Pack Came Together To Record 'Immigrance'

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Stella K/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Snarky Puppy's Full Pack Came Together To Record 'Immigrance'

XPN

This loosely-knit collective of funk, jazz, and rock players recorded it's latest studio album, Immigrance, with the full lineup of just under 20 members.

Snarky Puppy On World Cafe

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Leyla McCalla Has The Capitalist Blues

Leyla McCalla Sarrah Danzinger/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sarrah Danzinger/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Leyla McCalla Has The Capitalist Blues

XPN

Although the topics are heavy, McCalla's music is danceable. This is a treatment informed by the artist's Haitian roots and adopted New Orleans traditions.

Layla McCalla On World Cafe

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Foals Makes Changes In Pursuit Of Ultimate Creative Freedom

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Alex Knowles/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Foals Makes Changes In Pursuit Of Ultimate Creative Freedom

XPN

The members of Foals produced the last two albums themselves. The British band left its lead singer alone to finish lyrics in a dark studio in South London.

Foals On World Cafe

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With A Big Pop Sound And Sticky Turn Of Phrases, The Beths Are Taking Over

The Beths inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Emily De Hart/WXPN hide caption

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Emily De Hart/WXPN

Studio Sessions

With A Big Pop Sound And Sticky Turn Of Phrases, The Beths Are Taking Over

XPN

Last year, The Beths released its full-length debut, Future Me Hates Me. Future you will not regret hearing this session.

The Beths On World Cafe

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Catching Up With Citizen Cope

Citizen Cope performs at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert - recorded live for this session. Gabriela Barbieri/WXPN hide caption

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Gabriela Barbieri/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Catching Up With Citizen Cope

XPN

It's been seven years since Citizen Cope released his last album. Now, the singer-songwriter returns to talk about family, justice and his latest, curiously-titled album, Heroin and Helicopters.

Citizen Cope On World Cafe

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Better Oblivion Community Center, A Project Built On Mutual Fandom

Better Oblivion Community Center Nick Freitas/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Nick Freitas/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Better Oblivion Community Center, A Project Built On Mutual Fandom

XPN

What could be better than a new project built on the friendship of two World Cafe favorites, Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst?

Better Oblivion Community Center On World Cafe

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Patty Griffin On Restoring Her Voice And Her Soul

Patty Griffin performing inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Emily DeHart/WXPN hide caption

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Emily DeHart/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Patty Griffin On Restoring Her Voice And Her Soul

XPN

Hear the Grammy-winning songwriter perform songs written during her cancer treatment and discuss the deep reflections and soul-searching they contain.

Patty Griffin On World Cafe

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BAILEN Has The Type Of Bond That Only Comes From Being Family

Bailen performing WXPN's Free At Noon Concert at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA. Gabriela Barbieri/WXPN hide caption

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Gabriela Barbieri/WXPN

Studio Sessions

BAILEN Has The Type Of Bond That Only Comes From Being Family

XPN

These siblings are an incredible group of dynamic vocalists whose musicianship is off the charts.

Bailen On World Cafe

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The Cranberries' Last Album Celebrates The Life Of Dolores O'Riordan

Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries performs on stage during the Cognac Blues Passion Festival in July 2016. Guillaume Souvant/Getty Images hide caption

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Guillaume Souvant/Getty Images

Studio Sessions

The Cranberries' Last Album Celebrates The Life Of Dolores O'Riordan

XPN

The Cranberries' co-founder Noel Hogan talks about why the band's music, and Dolores O'Riordan as it's lead vocalist, resonated so strongly with fans.

The Cranberries On World Cafe

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Anna Tivel's Songs Are Mini Movies With Unlikely Stars

Anna Tivel inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Gabriela Barbieri/WXPN hide caption

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Gabriela Barbieri/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Anna Tivel's Songs Are Mini Movies With Unlikely Stars

XPN

The tremendous songwriter zooms in on the kinds of people who don't usually get the red carpet treatment.

Anna Tivel On World Cafe

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Bob Mould Reflects On Albums He Loved As A Youth With 'Sunshine Rock'

Bob Mould Alicia J. Rose/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alicia J. Rose/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Bob Mould Reflects On Albums He Loved As A Youth With 'Sunshine Rock'

XPN

The influential musician to the punk and hardcore scene returns with new latest album, Sunshine Rock.

Bob Mould On World Cafe

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King Princess Has Incredible Confidence With The Musical Chops To Back It Up

King Princess outside of WXPN Studio's in Philadelphia, PA. Gabriela Barbieri /WXPN hide caption

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Gabriela Barbieri /WXPN

Studio Sessions

King Princess Has Incredible Confidence With The Musical Chops To Back It Up

XPN

When singer-songwriter Mikaela Straus says, "I've never been subtle. I don't think now is the time," she means it.

King Princess On World Cafe

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After 27 Years, Guster Is Still Surprising Fans

Guster performing live at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia for WXPN's Free At Noon Concert. John Vettese/WXPN hide caption

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John Vettese/WXPN

Studio Sessions

After 27 Years, Guster Is Still Surprising Fans

XPN

Guster's latest album, Look Alive, is a trippy and textured twist on everything you might already love about the band.

Guster On World Cafe

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Josh Ritter Performs Stripped-Down Acoustic Version Of 'Fever Breaks'

Josh Ritter performs live for World Cafe Gabriela Barbieri/WXPN hide caption

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Gabriela Barbieri/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Josh Ritter Performs Stripped-Down Acoustic Version Of 'Fever Breaks'

XPN

The master songwriter performs songs just like he did for Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires on their Nashville porch.

Josh Ritter On World Cafe

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Sharon Van Etten Makes A Punchy And Powerful Leap Forward

Sharon Van Etten inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Rachel Del Sordo/WXPN hide caption

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Rachel Del Sordo/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Sharon Van Etten Makes A Punchy And Powerful Leap Forward

XPN

Van Etten is more present than ever, but wouldn't be where she is today without the struggle.

Sharon Van Etten On World Cafe

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