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World Cafe WXPN in Philadelphia and host Talia Schlanger present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

World Cafe

Essential and Emerging Artists
The Hold Steady Are Sleeping Over

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D James Goodwin/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Hold Steady Are Sleeping Over

XPN

The veteran rockers talk about the benefits of the nontraditional way they've chosen to record and support their latest studio album, Thrashing Thru The Passion.

The Hold Steady On World Cafe

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How the bird and the bee Interpreted Van Halen Classics With No Guitars

the bird and the bee Alexa Nikol Curran/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alexa Nikol Curran/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

How the bird and the bee Interpreted Van Halen Classics With No Guitars

XPN

The electronic jazz duo used a creative approach to recreate the melody of some of the greatest rock songs of the late '70s and early '80s.

the bird and the bee

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Vampire Weekend Hits On Complicated Relationships And Identity

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Monika Mogi/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Vampire Weekend Hits On Complicated Relationships And Identity

XPN

Father of the Bride is an ambitious collection of 18 songs featuring guests like Steve Lacy and Danielle Haim.

Vampire Weekend On World Cafe

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Shawn Colvin Goes Acoustic With 'Steady On'

Shawn Colvin performing live for World Cafe. Jamie Stow/WXPN hide caption

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Jamie Stow/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Shawn Colvin Goes Acoustic With 'Steady On'

XPN

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Steady On, the singer-songwriter recorded a new solo acoustic version of the record that captures the way she performs it live today.

Shawn Colvin on World Cafe

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Pixies, Beyond The Stage And Behind The Scenes

Pixies performing live for WXPN's Free At Noon Concert at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. Jamie Stow/WXPN hide caption

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Jamie Stow/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Pixies, Beyond The Stage And Behind The Scenes

XPN

Black Francis and Joey Santiago talk about recording in upstate New York with a journalist watching their every move for a podcast on the making of the new Pixies album.

Pixies On World Cafe

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Tamino Embraces His Voice And A More Delicate Sound

Tamino inside the World Cafe Performance Studio Jamie Stow/WXPN hide caption

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Jamie Stow/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Tamino Embraces His Voice And A More Delicate Sound

XPN

Although his remarkable voice has been compared to Jeff Buckley's, the singer self-identifies more with Chris Cornell. Hear a live studio performance.

Tamino On World Cafe

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Vince Gill's Emotional New Album 'Okie' Is His Most Personal Yet

Vince Gill John Shearer /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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John Shearer /Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Vince Gill's Emotional New Album 'Okie' Is His Most Personal Yet

XPN

The Country Music Hall of Famer and in-demand collaborator got to make his new album on his own terms. Hear a live performance.

Vince Gill On World Cafe

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Geek Out With 'Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book Of Bass'

Geddy Lee outside the World Cafe Performance Studio at WXPN in Philadelphia. Makena Duffy/WXPN hide caption

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Makena Duffy/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Geek Out With 'Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book Of Bass'

XPN

The legendary Rush frontman and bassist has kept busy cataloging, photographing and writing about his collection of bass guitars.

Geddy Lee On World Cafe

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1999, The Playlist: Man, It's A Hot One

Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas perform the 1999 hit "Smooth" at the 42d Annual Grammy Awards in February 2000. Santana received eight awards including Record of the Year that night. Hector Mata/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Hector Mata/AFP/Getty Images

World Cafe

1999, The Playlist: Man, It's A Hot One

XPN

This 1999 soundtrack includes songs by Eminem, The Roots, The White Stripes, Moby, Built To Spill, Beck, Dido, The Dismemberment Plan and more.

The Vocal Precision Of Madison Cunningham

Madison Cunningham Claire Vogel/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Claire Vogel/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Vocal Precision Of Madison Cunningham

XPN

The way Cunningham plays and sings makes the young singer-songwriter's debut album, Who Are You Now, shine.

Madison Cunningham On World Cafe

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Buddy And Julie Miller's 'Breakdown On 20th Ave. South' Is Based On A Real Breakdown

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Kate York/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Buddy And Julie Miller's 'Breakdown On 20th Ave. South' Is Based On A Real Breakdown

XPN

Yes, that's a real address and yes, it refers to a real-life breakdown.

Buddy and Julie Miller on World Cafe

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Mattiel's 'Satis Factory' Is Delightfully Unique

Mattiel performs live at WXPN's NONCOMM 2019 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. John Vettese/WXPN hide caption

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John Vettese/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Mattiel's 'Satis Factory' Is Delightfully Unique

XPN

Mattiel Brown's powerful and assertive vocals lead a pinch of garage rock, a touch of psychedelia and some galloping honky-tonk.

Mattiel On World Cafe

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Raphael Saadiq Sends A Universal Message On 'Jimmy Lee'

Raphael Saadiq Aaron Rapoport/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Aaron Rapoport/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Raphael Saadiq Sends A Universal Message On 'Jimmy Lee'

XPN

Named after his late brother, the accomplished musician's latest album raises awareness of substance abuse.

Raphael Saadiq On World Cafe (OLD)

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