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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
Robert Plant On World Cafe

Robert Plant. Mads Perch/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mads Perch/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Robert Plant On World Cafe

XPN

In our interview with Led Zeppelin's lead singer, we talk about the many musical chapters in his life, including his latest album, Carry Fire.

Robert Plant On World Cafe

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Josh Ritter On World Cafe

Josh Ritter performs live at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert. Recorded live for World Cafe. Liz Waldie/WXPN hide caption

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Liz Waldie/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Josh Ritter On World Cafe

XPN

Listen to the prolific songwriter perform at World Cafe Live and speak with host Talia Schlanger about his latest album, Gathering.

Josh Ritter On World Cafe

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The Afghan Whigs On World Cafe

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Chris Cuffaro/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Afghan Whigs On World Cafe

XPN

The Afghan Whigs' new album, In Spades, explores memory and time, and lead singer Greg Dulli visited World Cafe to reflect on both.

The Afghan Whigs On World Cafe

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World Cafe Nashville: Becca Mancari

Becca Mancari Jenn Elrod/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jenn Elrod/Courtesy of the artist

Nashville Sessions

World Cafe Nashville: Becca Mancari

XPN

Mancari offers stories of wandering and homecoming, colored by a determination to live, artistically, beyond the gender boundaries usually imposed on female artists.

World Cafe Nashville: Becca Mancari

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World Cafe Nashville: David Rawlings

David Rawlings Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

Nashville Sessions

World Cafe Nashville: David Rawlings

XPN

Listen to a session recorded at Sound Stage Studios with longtime partner Gillian Welch.

World Cafe Nashville: David Rawlings

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Kyle Vanes On World Cafe

Kyle Vanes (second from the right) with his band, The Dales. Emily Nicole Teague/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Emily Nicole Teague/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Kyle Vanes On World Cafe

XPN

Kyle Vanes, of the band The Dales, says his song "Still the Love" was inspired by finding, and losing, the love of his life, who died of breast cancer in 2015.

Kyle Vanes On World Cafe

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Son Little On World Cafe

Son Little performs live at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert - recorded live for World Cafe. Liz Waldie /WXPN hide caption

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Liz Waldie /WXPN

Studio Sessions

Son Little On World Cafe

XPN

Son Little's new album, New Magic, is bumpy blues meets rooted R&B meets old school nu soul meets... well... magic.

Son Little On World Cafe

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Jonny Lang On World Cafe

Jonny Lang performs at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia Emma Silverstone/WXPN hide caption

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Emma Silverstone/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Jonny Lang On World Cafe

XPN

Before he could legally drive, my guest in this session had his first platinum record. Hear a studio session the blues prodigy, recorded live in Philadelphia.

Jonny Lang On World Cafe

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World Cafe Nashville: Devon Gilfillian

Devon Gilfillian Lindsey Patkos/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Lindsey Patkos/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

World Cafe Nashville: Devon Gilfillian

XPN

His self-released, self-titled debut EP captures his exuberance and musical openness, setting the stage for what promises to be a brilliant career.

World Cafe Nashville: Devon Gilfillian

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Broken Social Scene On World Cafe

Broken Social Scene inside the World Cafe Performance Studio at WXPN in Philadelphia, PA. Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

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Galea McGregor/WXPN

World Cafe

Broken Social Scene On World Cafe

XPN

A performance session that brings a reminder of comfort in chaos, and community alike.

Broken Social Scene On World Cafe

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'Courage, Personified': Remembering The Tragically Hip's Gord Downie

Gord Downie (left) performs with The Tragically Hip in Vancouver during the band's final tour in 2016. Andrew Chin/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Chin/Getty Images

World Cafe

'Courage, Personified': Remembering The Tragically Hip's Gord Downie

XPN

A reflection on the singer's impact on the entire nation of Canada, and his electric last performance on Aug. 20, 2016, in Kingston, Ontario.

Talia Schlanger Tells All Things Considered's Ari Shapiro What Gord Downie Meant To Canada

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Deer Tick On World Cafe

Deer Tick in the World Cafe Performance Studio Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

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Galea McGregor/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Deer Tick On World Cafe

XPN

This is a band that can go from in-your-face to introspective on a dime — and they do just that in this session.

Deer Tick On World Cafe

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J Roddy Walston & The Business On World Cafe

J Roddy Walston & The Business Eric Ryan Anderson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Eric Ryan Anderson/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

J Roddy Walston & The Business On World Cafe

XPN

Hear songs from the band's latest album, Destroyers Of The Soft Life, performed live.

J Roddy Walston & The Business On World Cafe

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The War On Drugs On World Cafe

The War On Drugs in side the World Cafe Performance Studio at WXPN. Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

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Galea McGregor/WXPN

Studio Sessions

The War On Drugs On World Cafe

XPN

Every sound on A Deeper Understanding is deliberate, and every dramatic build is brilliant. Hear three live versions of songs from the new album, recorded at the World Cafe studios in Philadelphia.

War On Drugs On World Cafe

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Lo Moon On World Cafe

Lo Moon perform live at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert - recorded live for World Cafe. Liz Waldie/WXPN hide caption

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Liz Waldie/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Lo Moon On World Cafe

XPN

Hear a performance and interview with the NPR Slingshot band, and watch the trio perform "Thorns," the third single from its upcoming debut album.

Lo Moon On World Cafe

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