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Experiencing the down-to-earth vibe of Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish
Kelia Anne McCluskey
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Courtesy of the artist
Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish: She's kind of a big deal right now. Her debut album won her six Grammys, sweeping the major categories. She's up for seven more at the 2022 Grammys. She's sold millions of records, has been streamed billions of times, is the subject of two different movies — and, as we were recording this interview, she was getting ready to host Saturday Night Live.

But here she was, on the couch at her parents' house, going through the same Zoom issues we've all experienced in the last two years. There's a down-to-earth vibe and ease that's surprising for someone who's accomplished so much at such an early age.

We talk about her latest album, Happier Than Ever – and learn a little bit more about her songwriting process alongside her brother and musical partner, FINNNEAS. We also talk about her renewed confidence and why she loves Los Angeles, and we'll hear live performances recorded especially for the World Cafe.

Copyright 2021 XPN

Since 2017, John Myers has been the producer of NPR's World Cafe, which is produced by WXPN at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Previously he spent about eight years working on the other side of Philly at WHYY as a producer on the staff of Fresh Air with Terry Gross. John was also a member of the team of public radio veterans recruited to develop original programming for Audible and has worked extensively as a freelance producer. His portfolio includes work for the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, The Association for Public Art and the radio documentary, Going Black: The Legacy of Philly Soul Radio. He's taught radio production to preschoolers and college students and, in the late 90's, spent a couple of years traveling around the country as a roadie for the rock band Huffamoose.