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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
Acadiana Music Spotlight: Louis Michot & Swamp Magic

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Studio Sessions

Acadiana Music Spotlight: Louis Michot & Swamp Magic

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World Cafe's new concert series highlights music from Louisiana's Cajun Country.

Louis Michot & Swamp Magic

Listen · 12:33
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The Folk Implosion return with 'Walk Thru Me' after decades away

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Studio Sessions

The Folk Implosion return with 'Walk Thru Me' after decades away

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Lou Barlow and John Davis talk about what brought them together again, plus they perform live for World Cafe.

The Folk Implosion on World Cafe

Listen · 35:04
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Jessica Pratt cracks open the sunny veneer of the California dream

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Studio Sessions

Jessica Pratt cracks open the sunny veneer of the California dream

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The Los Angeles-based musician was inspired by the dark side of state's mythology in the making of her fourth studio album.

Jessica Pratt on World Cafe

Listen · 29:04
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For Nick Cave, it took enduring devastation to embrace true joy

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Studio Sessions

For Nick Cave, it took enduring devastation to embrace true joy

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The Australian musician talks about the motivation and meaning behind Wild God, a new album with his band The Bad Seeds.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds on World Cafe

Listen · 46:27
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The Culture Corner: Enter Soweto Gospel Choir's 'House of Worship'

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Studio Sessions

The Culture Corner: Enter Soweto Gospel Choir's 'House of Worship'

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World Cafe correspondent John Morrison digs into the South African gospel group's latest record, which recontextualizes classic club hits.

The Culture Corner on World Cafe

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Grace Cummings' vocal power is in full effect on 'Ramona'

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Studio Sessions

Grace Cummings' vocal power is in full effect on 'Ramona'

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The Australian artist performs songs from her latest album.

Grace Cummings on World Cafe

Listen · 30:44
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Gillian Welch and David Rawlings look back on turbulent times on 'Woodland'

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Studio Sessions

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings look back on turbulent times on 'Woodland'

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The folk duo's latest album is named after the East Nashville studio that was destroyed by a devastating tornado outbreak in 2020.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings on World Cafe

Listen · 53:36
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For Elvis, Memphis was a wellspring of musical creation

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Studio Sessions

For Elvis, Memphis was a wellspring of musical creation

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A new box set chronicles Elvis Presley's time in Grind City.

Matt Ross-Spang on World Cafe

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How a much-needed breather helped Dr. Dog craft its latest record

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Studio Sessions

How a much-needed breather helped Dr. Dog craft its latest record

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The Philadelphia band is back with a new self-titled album.

Dr. Dog on World Cafe

Listen · 44:49
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Sense of Place: ATARASHII GAKKO! wants to awaken Tokyo from its doldrums

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Sense Of Place

Sense of Place: ATARASHII GAKKO! wants to awaken Tokyo from its doldrums

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Following a set at Coachella and a breakout hit, this energetic Japanese girl group has its sights set on world domination.

ATARASHII GAKKO! on World Cafe

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Sense of Place: How American singer Davina Robinson found the blues in Osaka

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Sense Of Place

Sense of Place: How American singer Davina Robinson found the blues in Osaka

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The Philadelphia-born singer found a thriving community of jazz and blues musicians after moving to Japan.

Davina Robinson on World Cafe

Listen · 31:21
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Tune in to a mini-concert with The Felice Brothers

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Lawrence Braun/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Tune in to a mini-concert with The Felice Brothers

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by  ,  Will Loftus

The New York-based folk rock band perform songs from their latest album, Valley of Abandoned Songs.

The Felice Brothers on World Cafe

Listen · 14:57
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Sense of Place: The Bawdies are faithful craftsmen of the art of rock music

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Sense Of Place

Sense of Place: The Bawdies are faithful craftsmen of the art of rock music

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The Japanese band's discography is heavily inspired by the American rock of the '60s, but with their own distinctive twist.

The Bawdies on World Cafe

Listen · 24:45
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Sense of Place: Here's five songs that'll make you fall in love with J-Pop

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Sense Of Place

Sense of Place: Here's five songs that'll make you fall in love with J-Pop

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From Hikaru Utada to imase, these tracks showcase the versatility found within Japanese pop music.

Chiaki Horan on World Cafe

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Sense of Place: Meet the composer behind 'Super Mario Kart'

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Sense Of Place

Sense of Place: Meet the composer behind 'Super Mario Kart'

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Soyo Oka walks us through her journey from studying classical music to calling up Nintendo looking for a gig.

Soyo Oka on World Cafe

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Hear a live acoustic performance from The Lemon Twigs

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Studio Sessions

Hear a live acoustic performance from The Lemon Twigs

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by  ,  Will Loftus

The music of Long Island duo Michael and Brian D'Addario is rooted in '70s rock and pop.

The Lemon Twigs on World Cafe

Listen · 11:42
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Sense of Place: This Tokyo act embodies the energy of Japan's busy capital

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Sense Of Place

Sense of Place: This Tokyo act embodies the energy of Japan's busy capital

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Meet the eclectic J-pop trio, CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE.

CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE on World Cafe

Listen · 32:49
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Sense of Place: For Shonen Knife, there's no end to the sugar rush in sight

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Tomoko Ota/Courtesy of the artist

Sense Of Place

Sense of Place: For Shonen Knife, there's no end to the sugar rush in sight

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The Osaka band has made pop punk confections for more than 40 years, and they have no intention of slowing down.

Shonen Knife on World Cafe

Listen · 38:07
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