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Studio Sessions Musicians perform and discuss their work in the studios of NPR and NPR Music station partners. Live music sessions, interviews, and the best new songs in rock, pop, folk, classical, jazz, blues, urban, and world music. Watch video sessions.

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

Blues singer Davina Robinson (left) and World Cafe host Raina Douris. Kimberly Junod/WXPN hide caption

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

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 31:21

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Tune in to a mini-concert with The Felice Brothers

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Tune in to a mini-concert with The Felice Brothers

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August 27, 2024 • 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 14:57

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

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

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

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August 26, 2024 • 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 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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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

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

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August 23, 2024 • From Hikaru Utada to imase, these tracks showcase the versatility found within Japanese pop music.

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

Super Mario Bros Luigi and Mario pose at the "SUPER NINTENDO WORLD" welcome celebration. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images hide caption

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

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

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August 23, 2024 • Soyo Oka walks us through her journey from studying classical music to calling up Nintendo looking for a gig.

Hear a live acoustic performance from The Lemon Twigs

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Hear a live acoustic performance from The Lemon Twigs

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August 22, 2024 • The music of Long Island duo Michael and Brian D'Addario is rooted in '70s rock and pop.

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

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

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August 21, 2024 • Meet the eclectic J-pop trio, CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE.

CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE on World Cafe

Listen · 32:49 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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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

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

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August 19, 2024 • 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 38:07

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Sense of Place: At this Tokyo bar, appreciating the music is paramount

Owner Nobuo Miyamae says he wanted Little Soul Cafe to provide a community space for music enthusiasts in Tokyo. Kimberly Junod/WXPN hide caption

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Sense of Place: At this Tokyo bar, appreciating the music is paramount

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August 16, 2024 • Step inside this stylish listening bar boasting over 14,000 vinyl records.

Little Soul Cafe on World Cafe

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Sense of Place: Tranquil Uji meets bustling Tokyo in the music of luvis

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Sense of Place: Tranquil Uji meets bustling Tokyo in the music of luvis

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August 16, 2024 • We're kicking off our Sense of Place: Japan series with a session from this young, Tokyo-based singer-songwriter.

When the world gets too loud, Jack Antonoff turns to Bleachers

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

When the world gets too loud, Jack Antonoff turns to Bleachers

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August 14, 2024 • The Bleachers frontman and star producer joins us for a performance and interview in front of a live audience.

Bleachers on World Cafe

Listen · 40:55 40:55

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The Culture Corner: 45 years of Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall'

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Culture Corner: 45 years of Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall'

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August 13, 2024 • World Cafe correspondent John Morrison dives into Jackson's game-changing fifth studio album.

beabadoobee finds her footing on her Rick Rubin-produced third album

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

beabadoobee finds her footing on her Rick Rubin-produced third album

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August 12, 2024 • The singer-songwriter sounds more confident on This Is How Tomorrow Moves, without losing any of her trademark vulnerability.

beabadoobee on World Cafe

Listen · 34:56 34:56

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Why Jeremy Dutcher sings of survival and 'resistance against colonization'

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Why Jeremy Dutcher sings of survival and 'resistance against colonization'

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August 7, 2024 • On Motewolonuwok, the Canadian Indigenous musician sings in both his native Wolastoqey and English for the first time.

How Feist grew to love '1234' and more stories from her back catalog

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

How Feist grew to love '1234' and more stories from her back catalog

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August 2, 2024 • Find out which songs the Canadian singer-songwriter chose to perform for World Cafe's new feature called Backtracking.

Tune in to a mini-concert with Friko

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Tune in to a mini-concert with Friko

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August 1, 2024 • The indie rock band is making waves in Chicago and beyond.

Kaia Kater unleashes the banjo's innovative energy on 'Strange Medicine'

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Kaia Kater unleashes the banjo's innovative energy on 'Strange Medicine'

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July 31, 2024 • The Canadian singer-songwriter's latest record counts minimalist composer Steve Reich and The Caroline Chocolate Drops among its inspirations.

The Decemberists on their new album, 'As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again'

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Decemberists on their new album, 'As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again'

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July 26, 2024 • Frontman Colin Meloy says their latest record marks a new chapter for the Portland rock band.

The Decemberists on World Cafe

Listen · 38:33 38:33

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Tune in to a mini-concert with Billy Allen + The Pollies

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Tune in to a mini-concert with Billy Allen + The Pollies

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July 25, 2024 • The Alabama rock outfit performs songs from their debut album, Black Noise.

Billy Allen + The Pollies on World Cafe

Listen · 18:48 18:48

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The Culture Corner: 40 years of Prince's 'Purple Rain'

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Culture Corner: 40 years of Prince's 'Purple Rain'

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July 24, 2024 • World Cafe correspondent John Morrison looks back at the record that helped turn the Minneapolis musician into a bonafide legend.

The Culture Corner on World Cafe

Listen · 15:31 15:31

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Talia Schlanger on her debut album, 'Grace for the Going'

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Talia Schlanger on her debut album, 'Grace for the Going'

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July 23, 2024 • The former World Cafe host returns to talk about leaving the radio world to pursue a music career, plus she performs songs from her new record.

Talia Schlanger on World Cafe

Listen · 45:04 45:04

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Revisiting the radical harmonies of Sweet Honey in the Rock

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Revisiting the radical harmonies of Sweet Honey in the Rock

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July 19, 2024 • In memory of Bernice Johnson Reagon, a founding member of Sweet Honey in the Rock, we share this World Cafe episode from 1996 with the African American vocal ensemble.

Reyna Tropical on her debut album, 'Malegría'

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Reyna Tropical on her debut album, 'Malegría'

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July 19, 2024 • In the wake of losing her creative partner, Reyna Tropical's Fabi Reyna channeled her grief into "the most beautiful thing" she's ever made.

Reyna Tropical on her debut album, 'Malegría'

Listen · 38:51 38:51

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Listen to a mini-concert with The Red Clay Strays

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Listen to a mini-concert with The Red Clay Strays

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July 16, 2024 • The country rock band from Mobile, Ala., performs a song from their upcoming sophomore album, Made by These Moments.

Ani DiFranco on her latest album, 'Unprecedented S***'

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Ani DiFranco on her latest album, 'Unprecedented S***'

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July 15, 2024 • The musician and activist makes a sonic pivot on her 23rd studio album, plus she talks about starring in Hadestown.

Ani DiFranco on World Cafe

Listen · 25:44 25:44

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