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Rufus Wainwright Wants You To 'Unfollow The Rules'

Rufus Wainwright's new album is called Unfollow the Rules. He says the title comes from something his daughter said to him, and which he uses to express the need to reexamine the world. Tony Hauser/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tony Hauser/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Rufus Wainwright Wants You To 'Unfollow The Rules'

XPN

Folk singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright returned to LA, where he made his 1998 debut, to make his new record. He says the title comes from the idea of reexamining the world to make your own decisions.

Rufus Wainwright On World Cafe

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The Jayhawks Returned To Minnesota To Record Its New Album 'XOXO'

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Vivian Johnson/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

The Jayhawks Returned To Minnesota To Record Its New Album 'XOXO'

XPN

You'll hear full band performances as well as an interview with The Jayhawks' bandleader, Gary Louris, in this session. He talks about writing for The Chicks,

The Jayhawks On World Cafe

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Muzz Is Not A Supergroup

Muzz Driely S./Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Driely S./Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Muzz Is Not A Supergroup

XPN

Though it features members of Interpol, The Walkmen and Bonny Light Horseman, Muzz says the term "supergroup" doesn't apply.

Muzz on World Cafe

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Paul Beaubrun's Album 'Rasanbleman (Red Moon)' Is A Celebration Of Haitian Music

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Hugue-Robert Marsan/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Paul Beaubrun's Album 'Rasanbleman (Red Moon)' Is A Celebration Of Haitian Music

XPN

Rasanbleman (Red Moon) is Haitian creole for "a large gathering." It refers to the group of nearly 30 musicians and artists who got together for the album's recording sessions in Jacmel, Haiti.

Paul Beaubrun On World Cafe

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With New Albums, Bob Dylan, Neil Young And Willie Nelson Are As Relevant As Ever

Neil Young's newly released album, Homegrown, arrives at the same moment as two other veteran songwriters, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, put out projects of their own. Henry Diltz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Henry Diltz/Courtesy of the artist

New Music

With New Albums, Bob Dylan, Neil Young And Willie Nelson Are As Relevant As Ever

At 79, 74 and 87 years old, respectively, these three veteran songwriters prove that it's possible to release poignant and powerful work late in an artist's career.

With New Albums, Bob Dylan, Neil Young And Willie Nelson Are As Relevant As Ever

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Nicole Atkins Takes Us To The Beach On 'Italian Ice'

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Tracy Allison/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Nicole Atkins Takes Us To The Beach On 'Italian Ice'

XPN

This might be kind of an unusual summer, but Nicole Atkins' new record has come just in time for you to be able to visit the beach through your headphones!

Nicole Atkins On World Cafe

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How Sweet Crude Celebrated Its Album Release After Recovering From COVID-19

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Augusta Sagnelli/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

How Sweet Crude Celebrated Its Album Release After Recovering From COVID-19

XPN

Singers Sam Craft and Alexis Marceaux describe their very different experiences with COVID-19. Plus hear the uniquely New Orleanian story of how the band celebrated the release of its new album.

Sweet Crude On World Cafe

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Thao & The Get Down Stay Down Reflects On Forgiveness In 'Temple'

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Shane McCauley/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down Reflects On Forgiveness In 'Temple'

XPN

Do you remember realizing your parents weren't exactly who you thought they were? Thao Nguyen explores the themes of fault and forgiveness on her latest album.

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down On World Cafe

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U.S. Girls' Meg Remy Turns 'Less Is More' Upside Down

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Colin Medley/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

U.S. Girls' Meg Remy Turns 'Less Is More' Upside Down

XPN

Over time, the sound and lineup of U.S. Girls has evolved from just Meg Remy. On the group's latest record, Heavy Light, up to 20 musicians recorded in the studio at the same time.

U.S. Girls on World Cafe

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It 'Feels Like A Graduation': Phoebe Bridgers On 'Punisher'

Phoebe Bridgers is one of the most prolific young songwriters to emerge in the last several years. Her second solo album, Punisher, is out now. Frank Ockenfels/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Frank Ockenfels/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

It 'Feels Like A Graduation': Phoebe Bridgers On 'Punisher'

The LA singer-songwriter talks about her second solo album, which includes guest appearances from peers like Conor Oberst, copying ideas from her heroes and the way lyrical specificity mimics poetry.

It 'Feels Like A Graduation': Phoebe Bridgers On 'Punisher'

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It's Hard To Keep Mt. Joy From Making Music

Mt. Joy performs under quarantine for a World Cafe At Home Session. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

It's Hard To Keep Mt. Joy From Making Music

XPN

Mt. Joy was recently on the road with The Lumineers when the tour was cut short by the pandemic. The members of the group perform for us separately from home in this session.

Mt. Joy On World Cafe

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Courtney Marie Andrews' New Album 'Old Flowers' Came From Heartbreak And Loss

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Alexa Viscius/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Courtney Marie Andrews' New Album 'Old Flowers' Came From Heartbreak And Loss

There are a lot of heartbreak albums out there. Heartbreak is maybe the biggest and most enduring inspiration when it comes to songwriting, but it's rare to hear heartbreak dealt with as much nuance as Courtney Marie Andrews gives it.

Courtney Marie Andrews On World Cafe

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KCSN's Byron Gonzalez Defines Latin Alternative

The title track from La Mera Candelaria's album Si Reina, is among Byron Gonzalez's picks for this World Cafe guest DJ session. Matias Ponce/Stephani "La Mera" Candelaria/Courtesy of the artst hide caption

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Matias Ponce/Stephani "La Mera" Candelaria/Courtesy of the artst

World Cafe

KCSN's Byron Gonzalez Defines Latin Alternative

The Latin Alt program director Byron Gonzalez shares songs from a few of his favorite artists making music outside the Latin mainstream.

Byron Gonzalez On World Cafe

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Take A Walk Down The Oldest Street In LA With La Santa Cecilia

Marisol Hernandez and Jose "Pepe" Carlos of La Santa Cecilia. Kimberly Junod/WXPN hide caption

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Kimberly Junod/WXPN

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Take A Walk Down The Oldest Street In LA With La Santa Cecilia

Not only did the Grammy-winning band get its start here, but its leader, La Marisoul, also operates a shop in the Mexican Marketplace found on Olvera Street.

La Santa Cecilia On World Cafe

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Steven Page Shares New Song 'Isolation' In A Performance From Home

Steven Page performs live for World Cafe inside his home studio. John Myers/WXPN hide caption

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John Myers/WXPN

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Steven Page Shares New Song 'Isolation' In A Performance From Home

XPN

Steven Page, who you may recognize as the lead singer of Barenaked Ladies, shares songs written while isolated during the pandemic.

Steven Page On World Cafe

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