Tianna Esperanza joins host Raina Douris

When Tianna Esperanza was a young girl growing up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, she’d turn to music as a form of therapy, and she keeps that spirit alive on her powerful debut album, Terror. It’s filled with bold statements about race, class, and sexual violence, which Esperanza delivers with a distinct vocal style. On the this World Cafe, Esperanza joins us to talk about the stories and inspirations behind the songs.

Listen to the session here.

Today’s Playlist

Bob Marley & The Wailers “Sun Is Shining” Kaya

Tianna Esperanza “BUY YOU A NEW ATTITUDE” Recorded Live for the World Cafe

Tianna Esperanza “Terror” Terror

The Raincoats “No Side to Fall In” The Raincoats

Tianna Esperanza “PRINCESS SLIT AND THE RAINCOAT PRINCE” Recorded Live for the World Cafe

Tianna Esperanza “Lewis” Terror

Tianna Esperanza “LONE CHILD” Recorded Live for the World Café

{Ibeyi “River” WC Recording}

The Cure “Close to Me” The Head On The Door

Coldplay “Clocks” A Rush of Blood to the Head

{Coldplay “Life in Technicolor” Viva La Vida}

Radiohead “Reckoner” In Rainbows

Lianne La Havas “Weird Fishes” Lianne La Havas

Hour Two
The Sundays “Goodbye” Blind

Sampha “Spirit 2.0” single

Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Wolf” Cool it Down

Denitia “My Weakness” Highways

Fiona Apple “Shadowboxer” Tidal

{Sunny War “Every Day Every Night” WC Recording}

The xx “Heart Skipped A Beat” Recorded Live for the World Cafe

Billy Bragg “Accident Waiting To Happen” Recorded Live for the World Cafe

The National “Tropic Morning News” First Two Pages of Frankenstein

Tom Tom Club “Wordy Rappinghood” Tom Tom Club

{Hippo Campus “Souls” WC Recording}

Declan McKenna “Sympathy” single

U2 “One” Achtung Baby

The Last Dinner Party “Nothing Matters” single