World Cafe

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Weekdays 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Hosted by Talia Schlanger

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Host Talia Schlanger presents World Cafe, which features ten hours each week of new and significant music and the artists who create it.

Serving up a blend of blues, rock, world, folk, and alternative country, live performances, and intimate interviews, the two-hour daily program is produced by WXPN-FM in Philadelphia.

World Cafe airs weekdays at 2:00 pm on KRCB-FM Radio 91 / streaming @ norcalpublicmedia.org / Listen live on-the-go with the FREE KRCB Mobile App! Download it today for your favorite mobile device.

Find our complete programming schedule here.

World Cafe

September 22, 2020

New Jersey Band Real Estate Performs Live on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

After playing together for over a decade, New Jersey band, Real Estate, decided to make a change…They brought in collaborators for the first time – like Amelia Meath of Sylvan Esso – to get some fresh eyes on their latest project, called The Main Thing. Today, singer Martin Courtney and bassist…
September 21, 2020

Carlos Santana Joins Host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

From his groundbreaking performance at Woodstock, to millions of albums sold in the ‘70s, and his revival in the ‘90s including the hit single “Smooth” – 73-year-old Carlos Santana shows no sign of slowing down. His latest record, Africa Speaks, was produced by Rick Rubin and features the vocals of…
September 18, 2020

The Many Lives of Lori McKenna on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

You could say Lori McKenna leads many lives…One as a mom of five, one as a celebrated Nashville songwriter who’s penned tracks for artists like Tim McGraw and Little Big Town, and one as a solo artist making her own music. Lori’s new record, The Balladeer, came out in July, and she joins host Raina…
September 18, 2020

Sarah Jarosz Performs New Songs Live on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Sarah Jarosz has been going non-stop for more than a decade. Starting when she signed a record deal at just 16 years old, Sarah’s constantly been making albums and touring them on the road. Much like the rest of the world though, she’s had to hit the brakes in 2020. Today, she talks about what it’s…
September 16, 2020

Is Making Music an Art, or a Science? Find Out with Nap Eyes on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Before becoming a musician, Nap Eyes frontman Nigel Chapman worked as a biochemist, and it’s had a big influence on his songwriting – He takes a scientific approach. We’ll hear about that process today in his conversation with host Raina Douris. And we’ll step into Nigel’s musical laboratory for…
September 15, 2020

An Encore Session with Chicano Batman on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

The Los Angeles band Chicano Batman wanted to evolve with their latest collection of songs, called Invisible People. The sound of the record is big, filled with hooks, and showcases multiple influences. And to get that sound, they enlisted the help of engineer Sean Everett – and maybe got a little…
Sep 14, 2020

Correspondent Byron Gonzalez Helps Kick Off Hispanic Heritage Month on World Cafe - Tuesday at 2pm

Today, correspondent Byron Gonzalez kicks off World Cafe’s celebration of Hispanic heritage month! Byron joins host Stephen Kallao from KCSN in Los…
Sep 11, 2020

Jason Isbell on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Jason Isbell’s latest album Reunions covers a lot of ground: the sometimes-negative reaction he gets speaking out about what he believes, the hard…
Sep 10, 2020

An Encore Session with John Craigie on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

John Craigie has been called the lovechild of songwriter John Prine and comedian Mitch Hedberg. That’s partly because, when he performs live, Craigie…
Sep 09, 2020

An Encore Session with Steve Aoki on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Steve Aoki is one of the biggest and most successful electronic music producers in the world. He's collaborated with countless pop stars – artists…
Sep 08, 2020

Carolina Story on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

The married duo of Ben and Emily Roberts have been playing together since 2009 in the band Carolina Story. We’ll talk to our Nashville correspondent…
Sep 07, 2020

Will Toldeo’s band Car Seat Headrest and His Alter-Ego, Named Trait on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Will Toldeo’s band Car Seat Headrest has evolved a lot over the years, never making the same type of album twice. What started as a bedroom project…
Sep 04, 2020

Hannah Georgas Plus Special Guest Owen Pallett on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Hannah Georgas went from admiring rock band, The National, to performing with them, to having her latest album produced by the band’s co-founder,…
Sep 02, 2020

Josh Ostrander Performs as Mondo Cozmo on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Josh Ostrander, who performs as Mondo Cozmo, has been making music for two decades, but he felt an unprecedented level of success and pressure with…
Sep 01, 2020

An Encore Session with Singer Macy Gray on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Singer Macy Gray recently started a nonprofit to provide support and resources to families who have been affected by police brutality. On the next…
Aug 31, 2020

Don Bryant Performs Songs from His Latest Project on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

As a staff songwriter for Hi Records, Don Bryant wrote some of the label's biggest hits in the 60's and 70's – including "I Can't Stand the Rain" by…
Aug 27, 2020

Bettye LaVette on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Bettye LaVette is host Raina Douris’ guest on the next World Cafe. Her new album, Blackbirds, includes Bettye’s interpretations of songs popularized…
Aug 25, 2020

Ann Powers Shares Her Favorite New Music from August on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Ann Powers: Nashville New Music for August World Cafe's Nashville correspondent Ann Powers stops by with her favorite new music from August. Ruston…
Aug 24, 2020

Phoebe Bridgers Performs Music from Punisher on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Phoebe Bridgers has been busy with lots of projects in the three years since her debut, and now she returns with Punisher – along with a sense of…
Aug 23, 2020

Old 97s Frontman Rhett Miller Performs on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Old 97s have been through a lot together over the 27 years they’ve been a band. Frontman Rhett Miller talks about how they’ve made it through those…
Aug 20, 2020

Bright Eyes on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Bright Eyes are putting out their first new album in nearly 10 years. On the next World Café, Conor Oberst and Nate Walcott talk about what went into…
Aug 19, 2020

Hazel English Joins Stephen Kallao for Music and Talk on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Before releasing her debut album Wake UP!, Hazel English was working on her college thesis. The thesis was written as a science fiction novel, which…
Aug 18, 2020

An Encore Session with Run the Jewels on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Killer Mike is a rapper from Atlanta. El-P is a rapper/producer from New York. Together they are Run the Jewels and their latest album RTJ4 tells…
Aug 17, 2020

Michael McDonald Performs New Stuff Live on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Michael McDonald released two timely singles this year – His covers of “What the World Needs Now” and “What’s Going On” came out early in 2020 before…
Aug 14, 2020

An Encore Session with Christine and the Queens on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Over the last few years, Christine and the Queens has emerged as a wildly unique performer – The French singer-songwriter is able to express complex…
Aug 13, 2020

Kathleen Edwards Performs Live on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Kathleen Edwards’ new album, Total Freedom, marks her return to music after eight years. Back in 2012, she had decided to quit the business…
Aug 12, 2020

Hazel English Describes Why She Loves Songwriting on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

After hearing the debut album from Hazel English, you might be surprised to learn what inspired it. At one point, she was studying to be a sci-fi…
Aug 11, 2020

Singer-Songwriter Tre Burt Performs Live on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Not long ago, singer-songwriter Tre Burt was doing pretty much everything on his own: Busking, touring, and recording and releasing his own music,…
Aug 10, 2020

Some of the Greatest Title Tracks of All Time on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

The thing about a title track is that it has to be good enough to name the whole album after. And today, we’ll hear a full two hours of some of the…
Aug 07, 2020

The Chicks on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The Dixie Chicks have a new name – The Chicks – and a new record, called Gaslighter. It’s their first new album in 14 years! On the next World Cafe,…
Aug 07, 2020

An Encore Session with Musician and Storyteller Steve Earle on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Steve Earle is a songwriter and musician – but he’s also a storyteller. Many of the songs on his upcoming album, Ghosts of West Virginia, were…
Aug 05, 2020

An Encore Session with The Lumineers on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

The Lumineers’ third studio album is a daring record that looks at addiction through the lens of three different family members across three…
Aug 04, 2020

David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors on the Next World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Why make one album when you can have 5 EPs? David Longstreth, leader of Dirty Projectors, will explain the ambitious new project that features band…
Aug 03, 2020

Ondara Shares About Writing Songs in Quarantine as a Kind of Therapy on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Ondara released his debut, Tales of America, last year to great praise, and even earned a Grammy nomination. Based in Minneapolis but born in Kenya,…
Aug 03, 2020

Mandy Moore Performs Off Silver Landings on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Mandy Moore is back with her first new album in over a decade, called Silver Landings. The former teen pop star was inspired to get back to making…
Jul 30, 2020

Dizzy Performs Live on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

When frontwoman Katie Munshaw and drummer Charlie Spencer of Dizzy met in the ninth grade, they probably didn't expect to become an award-winning…
Jul 29, 2020

Perfume Genius on His Life and Latest Album on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Perfume Genius recently released a new album called Set My Heart on Fire Immediately—and he wasn’t joking around with that title! On the next World…
Jul 28, 2020

Hear Music From Man Man’s First Album in Seven Years on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

The music of Man Man could maybe be best described as “controlled chaos” -- everything from the way frontman Ryan Kattner writes, to their eclectic…
Jul 27, 2020

S.G. Goodman Performs From Her Debut Album on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

S.G. Goodman’s debut album, Old Time Feeling, is an intimate collection of songs that addresses her life growing up in the rural south, and…
Jul 24, 2020

The War And Treaty on this Encore Edition of the World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Tanya Blount started singing R&B as a teen, and Michael Trotter discovered his musical calling while serving as a soldier in Iraq. Together, the…
Jul 23, 2020

Zeshan B Performs Live from His New Album on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Zeshan B’s music combines his love of American soul with influences from India and Pakistan, where his parents are from. It’s a blend that started…
Jul 22, 2020

Siblings Sean and Sara Watkins on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Siblings Sean and Sara Watkins spent over 30 years playing music together alongside Chris Thile in the popular bluegrass band, Nickel Creek. But…
Jul 21, 2020

How Do You Know Stephen Malkmus? Join Raina Douris for World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

There are many reasons why you might know Stephen Malkmus: as a member of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, as a member of Silver Jews with the late…
Jul 20, 2020

Grammy-award Winners Ranky Tanky on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Grammy-award winning band Ranky Tanky hails from Charleston, South Carolina, and their music draws on the culture of slave descendants from the…
Jul 17, 2020

Lucinda Williams Joins Host Raina Douris on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Lucinda Williams has always carved her own path – It’s true in her music, which has defied genre labels over the course of 20 albums. And it’s true…
Jul 16, 2020

Killer Mike and EL-P of Run The Jewels on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The release of Run the Jewels' brand new album RTJ4 couldn't have been more timely. Both catchy and thought-provoking, the songs criticize systems of…
Jul 15, 2020

The Uplifting Story Behind Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

There's an incredibly uplifting story behind Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" – And she’s here to tell it and perform the disco classic live, on this…
Jul 14, 2020

Get Familiar with Jonathan Wilson Again, or for the First Time on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Even if you’re not familiar with Jonathan Wilson’s music, you've probably heard his work before. As an established producer, he’s helped to…
Jul 13, 2020

Looking Back on the Year That Was 1980 on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

1980 was the year of “The Miracle on Ice,” the birth of CNN, the invention of the Post-It note – And it was a banner year for music. Today, we’ll…
Jul 10, 2020

Rufus Wainwright Returns to His Roots on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Since his breakout debut in the mid-90s, Rufus Wainwright has always been an artist with a flair for the dramatic – He’s even written operas. And…
Jul 10, 2020

Bob Geldof Joins Raina Douris on the Next World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Thirty-five years ago on July 13th, nearly two billion people tuned in to watch Live Aid. It was an unprecedented, star-studded benefit concert – and…
Jul 08, 2020

Jessy Wilson Performs Live on this Encore World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Jessy Wilson was looking for a more rock ‘n’ roll vibe after her former group, the Americana duo Muddy Magnolias, broke up. So, she reached out to…
Jul 07, 2020

Willie Nelson Presents His 70th Studio Album on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Willie Nelson has just released his 70th (!!!) studio album, First Rose of Spring. The living legend walks us through some of the songs on the…
Jul 06, 2020

The Jayhawks Perform from Their New Album, XOXO, on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

The Jayhawks' new album, XOXO, comes out this Friday, but we'll get an exclusive preview of some of their new songs in a live performance today.…
Jul 03, 2020

Need a Live Concert? World Cafe Brings You Two Hours of Live Music – Friday at 2pm

Summer is officially here! But this summer is going to be a bit unusual for music-lovers, with so many outdoor festivals and concerts cancelled. So…
Jul 03, 2020

Hear Songs off the Self-Titled Debut from Muzz on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

The brand-new band Muzz formed after just one rehearsal. It’s the collaboration of three old friends: Paul Banks of Interpol, Matt Barrick of the…
Jul 01, 2020

Paul Beaubrun Performs Off His Latest Album on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Paul Beaubrun was born into the legendary musical family behind Boukman Eksperyans, one of Haiti's most famous bands. But he’s also made a name for…
Jun 30, 2020

Jaime Wyatt Performs Off her New Album, Neon Cross, on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Jaime Wyatt is often associated with “Outlaw Country.” With her cowboy hats and coordinated full suits, she certainly looks the part – But she’s also…
Jun 29, 2020

Nicole Atkins Performs Some New Music on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Nicole Atkins has released Italian Ice just in time for beach days, even if you won’t be heading to the beach this particular Summer. Nicole, who…
Jun 26, 2020

Brandy Clark Performs Songs From Her New Solo Album on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Nashville-based songwriter Brandy Clark has written tunes that have been recorded by Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, and Darius Rucker. Clark co-wrote…
Jun 26, 2020

Easing into the World of Steve Aoki on the Next World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

It's no wonder a long list of musicians wants to work with Steve Aoki, one of the world’s biggest and most successful electronic music producers. His…
Jun 24, 2020

Margaret Glaspy Talks About Discipline and Her Writing Process on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Brooklyn-based artist Margaret Glaspy has been using her time efficiently during self-isolation. From enrolling in distance learning at Harvard to…
Jun 23, 2020

Louisiana Indie Rockers Sweet Crude on the Next World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

With deep roots in Louisiana, the six members of Sweet Crude make indie rock with lyrics that combine English and Louisiana’s French dialect. And…
Jun 22, 2020

An Encore Session with Michael Kiwanuka on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

If you've seen HBO's Big Little Lies, then you know Michael Kiwanuka's song "Cold Little Heart" from the opening credits. The song catapulted Michael…
Jun 19, 2020

Commemorating Juneteenth with a Playlist Rooted in African American History on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas, one of the most remote slave states, learned that they were free. Today, Juneteenth, commemorates the…
Jun 19, 2020

Thao Nguyen Joins Host Stephen Kallao on the Next World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

In the last five years, Thao Nguyen married her girlfriend and also made a trip to Vietnam with her mom, who hadn’t been back since escaping the war…
Jun 17, 2020

Meg Remy Performs Some New Songs Live on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Meg Remy's musical roots are in the DIY punk world – and when she began making music as U.S. Girls over a decade ago, she played everything herself.…
Jun 16, 2020

Jason Isbell Performs Some New Songs Live on World Cafe from WXPN – Wednesday at 2pm

Jason Isbell’s new album Reunions covers a lot of ground: the sometimes-negative reaction he gets speaking out about what he believes, the hard work…
Jun 15, 2020

Hear a Mt. Joy Live Set Recorded for World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

When Mt. Joy made their debut in 2018, the song “Silver Lining” went to number one on Billboard’s Adult Alternative chart. Now the band’s back with…
Jun 12, 2020

Wrapping Up “Sense of Place” LA at Capitol Studios on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Today, World Cafe wraps up the “Sense of Place” series in Los Angeles – And we’re going clubbing. Host Raina Douris heads to downtown L.A. to check…
Jun 12, 2020

Nashville-Based Songwriter Devon Gilfillian Performs on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Earlier this year Nashville-based songwriter Devon Gilfillian put out his debut full length called Black Hole Rainbow -- a trip to South Africa…
Jun 11, 2020

Norah Jones Performs from Pick Me Up Off the Floor on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Norah Jones is a household name – So it may come as a surprise that it took her a while to find her voice in the beginning. She joins host Raina…
Jun 09, 2020

Country musician Tyler Childers Performs Live on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Country musician Tyler Childers recently crossed something off of his bucket list when his name was added to a sign along Route 23 in Kentucky, also…
Jun 08, 2020

Courtney Marie Andrews Performs Off Her New Record on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

There are a lot of heartbreak albums out there, but few handle the subject with as much nuance as Courtney Marie Andrews’ new record. It’s called Old…
Jun 05, 2020

Take Cover on the Next World Cafe! Monday at 2pm

Today, it’s all cover songs on the World Cafe! For a full two hours, we’ll dig into the different ways musicians conceptualize the same idea…Like…
Jun 04, 2020

Visiting One of the Oldest Streets in Los Angeles, Olvera Street on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

It's Friday, and World Cafe's “Sense of Place: Los Angeles” series continues. First, we visit the oldest street in Los Angeles, Olvera Street – It’s…
Jun 03, 2020

An Encore Session with Rihannon Giddens on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

In 2017, Rihannon Giddens stopped by the World Cafe with her album, Freedom Highway. On that record, she went straight to the darkest parts of…
Jun 02, 2020

Steven Page Performs His New Single, “Isolation,” on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Steven Page, former Barenaked Ladies frontman, has a new single, called “Isolation.” He wrote it right at the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown,…
Jun 01, 2020

You’re Going to Hear From Pre-Superstar John Mayer on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Right before the release of his debut album, Room For Squares, in 2001, John Mayer stopped by World Cafe to talk about the song “No Such Thing,”…
May 29, 2020

Christine and the Queens Perform New Stuff on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Christine and the Queens has a new EP called La Vita Nuova – it is also a short film and another step in the ever-evolving exploration of herself…
May 28, 2020

It’s a Visit to South Central, Where West Coast Hip Hop Began on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

It’s Friday, and World Cafe’s "Sense of Place" visit to Los Angeles continues. This week, host Raina Douris takes a tour of South Central, where West…
May 27, 2020

Chicano Batman Performs New Material Live on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

The Los Angeles band Chicano Batman set out to evolve with their latest collection of songs called Invisible People. The sound of the record is big,…
May 26, 2020

Pete Townshend and His First Ever Novel, The Age of Anxiety, on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Pete Townshend, the major creative force behind The Who, has written his first ever novel, titled The Age of Anxiety – And, there are plans to turn…
May 25, 2020

Mikel Jollett Shares His Dramatic Childhood on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Mikel Jollett, leader of Airborne Toxic Event, has a new memoir called Hollywood Park— and the band’s new album, by the same name, serves as its…
May 22, 2020

World Cafe Celebrates Rosanne Cash – Monday at 2pm

The prestigious MacDowell Medal recognizes an outstanding contribution to American arts and culture. It’s been awarded to luminaries like Toni…
May 21, 2020

Possum Dixon’s Rob Zabrecky Joins Raina on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Fridays on the World Cafe, we’ve been joining host Raina Douris for a “Sense of Place” tour of Los Angeles. Today, former frontman of the band Possum…
May 20, 2020

Songs from All Different Decades of Music, Including Songs About Years on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

If you feel like the days have started to blend together over the past couple of months, you’re not alone. And today, World Cafe’s just going with…
May 19, 2020

Adam Granduciel on the Next World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Adam Granduciel, leader of The War on Drugs, has been spending his time at home bonding with his young son and working on a new record. On the next…
May 18, 2020

Michaela Anne on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Michaela Anne grew up the daughter of a Navy Captain, and by the time she graduated high school, she had lived in 20 different houses. As an artist,…
May 15, 2020

Making Music with Sparks on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Brothers Ron and Russel Mael have been making music as the band Sparks for almost 50 years. On the next World Cafe, Ron and Russell tell stories…
May 14, 2020

From Liz Phair to Ethan Gruska, Catch Live Performances on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

World Cafe is taking a trip to LA every Friday with the Sense of Place series. In the first hour, Liz Phair takes the stage to perform live and talk…
May 12, 2020

Hamilton Leithauser Talks with Host Stephen Kallao and Performs Live on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

The inspiration for an album can come from anywhere. For Hamilton Leithauser, it was a nice man riding a ferry, telling stories. Each song on his new…
May 11, 2020

Saxophone Legend Sonny Rollins Stopped By in 2007. That Session on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

World Cafe digs into the archives to revisit a session with one of the greatest jazz performers ever, Sonny Rollins. The saxophone legend stopped by…
May 06, 2020

An Encore Session with Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots, and bandleader for The Tonight Show, is also an author five times over. His latest book, Mixtape Potluck, is…
May 05, 2020

Don Vappie Performs from The Blue Book of Storyville on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Don Vappie grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s playing string instruments in funk bands, and somewhere along the way, he reached for a banjo. He went on to…
May 04, 2020

Another Vintage Session with Coldplay on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Coldplay were one of the first massive rock bands of the new millennium. Not long after they released their breakthrough album, Parachutes, they…
Apr 30, 2020

Steve Earle Performs From Ghosts of West Virginia Live on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Steve Earle is a songwriter and musician – but he’s also a storyteller. Many of the songs on his upcoming album, Ghosts of West Virginia, were…
Apr 29, 2020

The White Stripes from a Vintage 2003 World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

The White Stripes are now known as one of the most influential indie rock groups of the 2000s – and back in 2003, they were just hitting the peak of…
Apr 28, 2020

An Early Peek at Early James’ Forthcoming Release on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Birmingham-based musician Early James had to stop touring last month just as he was about to put out his debut. That album, called Singing for My…
Apr 27, 2020

An Encore Session with Sheryl Crow from 1993 on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

You’ll hear an encore session with Sheryl Crow from 1993. Before She had a huge hit with the song “All I Wanna Do,” she visited World Cafe. We dug…
Apr 24, 2020

Get Ready for a Classic Cafe with Phish and David Dye! It’s World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

We're going back in time for a Classic Cafe with Phish! They joined original host, David Dye, for a session recorded in early 2000 when they released…
Apr 24, 2020

M Ward Performs off his New Album on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Since releasing his debut album two decades ago, prolific singer-songwriter M Ward has rarely taken a break, but now, he suddenly has some unplanned…
Apr 22, 2020

The Three Sisters of Haim Reunite Online for World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Like so many of us right now, the three sisters of Haim are self-isolating at home with their lives on hold. And for siblings who spend all their…
Apr 21, 2020

Angie McMahon Joins Host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Angie McMahon On the next World Cafe, Angie McMahon talks to host Stephen Kallao over Zoom from her bedroom in Melbourne, Australia. We’ll find out…
Apr 20, 2020

Laura Marling Shares Her Latest Release with Host Raina Douris on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Laura Marling wasn’t planning to release her new album until the end of the summer. But when the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world, Laura decided…
Apr 17, 2020

You'll Hear From Ed O'Brien with His New Solo Project, EOB on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

EOB is the new solo project of Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien. Through the years, some of his bandmates have offered up solo work, and now it’s Ed’s…
Apr 17, 2020

Folk Artist Tré Burt on the Next World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Not long ago, folk artist Tré Burt was doing pretty much everything on his own. Busking, touring, recording, and releasing his own music, including…
Apr 15, 2020

Celebrating Public Radio Music Day on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

It's Public Radio Music Day, where public radio music stations of all kinds celebrate their unique musical genres – from jazz and classical to rock…
Apr 14, 2020

An Encore Session with Tyler Childers on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Encore: Tyler Childers When you think of “country music” - do you picture cowboy hats? Pick-up trucks? Red solo cups? That’s exactly what Kentucky’s…
Apr 13, 2020

Maggie Koerner Chats with World Cafe Correspondent Gwen Thompkins – Tuesday at 2pm

Maggie Koerner was pursuing a master's degree in Child Psychology when a friend heard her sing and convinced her to make a career out of it. As she…
Apr 10, 2020

Frances Quinlan Performs From Her First Solo Album on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Leader of the Philadelphia band Hop Along for 15 years, Frances Quinlan has a voice that’s unique and – in her own words – you either like it or you…
Apr 10, 2020

Drive-By Truckers Perform Off Their New Album on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Drive-By Truckers The Unraveling is the name of the new album from the band Drive-By Truckers. The Truckers’ Patterson Hood says many of the band’s…
Apr 08, 2020

It’s the King of Slydeco Sonny Landreth on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Sonny Landreth stopped by the World Cafe last fall with a sneak preview performance of his new album, out now, called Blacktop Run. Plus, he talks…
Apr 07, 2020

The Black Crowes Perform a Live Acoustic Set on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Singer Chris Robinson and guitarist Rich Robinson had a rocky relationship as the leaders of influential southern rock band, The Black Crowes. And in…
Apr 06, 2020

Caroline Rose on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

On her new album, Superstar, Caroline Rose tells the story of a person on a quest for fame – a character she says is partly inspired by herself – and…
Apr 03, 2020

Hear Logan Ledger, Plus Remembering Adam Schlesinger on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Listening to Logan Ledger is like hopping in a time machine back to the classic recordings of Patsy Cline and Hank Williams. His debut album was…
Apr 02, 2020

World Cafe Pays a Visit to Rockbridge Guitars in Charlottesville – Friday at 2pm

World Cafe closes out this week’s “Sense of Place” visit to Virginia with a stop in Charlottesville, where a tiny shop called Rockbridge Guitars…
Apr 01, 2020

GWAR on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

When you think of Richmond's music scene, the first genre to come to mind probably isn't heavy metal. But today, we’ll meet one of the city’s revered…
Apr 01, 2020

You’ll Visit Spacebomb as This Week’s “Sense of Place” Series Continues on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Spacebomb is a one-stop shop – a record label and a recording studio – that also provides management, publishing, and production services to artists.…
Mar 30, 2020

From Richmond, Virginia You’ll Meet Saw Black on the World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

We’re visiting Richmond, Virginia this week on the World Cafe, and today, we meet Saw Black. The up-and-coming band is led by Justin Black, who was…
Mar 27, 2020

World Cafe’s “Sense of Place” Series in Virginia Continues with Gold Connections – Friday at 2pm

Singer and songwriter, Will Marsh, started Gold Connections back at The College of William & Mary when he connected with Car Seat Headrest’s, Will…
Mar 27, 2020

Sense of Place: Richmond with The Sleepwalkers on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

This week, we’re bringing you a deep dive into Richmond, Virginia’s music scene for World Cafe’s “Sense of Place” series. The Sleepwalkers are one of…
Mar 25, 2020

Travel to Virginia for a Musical Adventure on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Want to explore a new place from home? Then join the hosts of World Cafe, who travelled to Virginia a couple months ago for a musical adventure!…
Mar 24, 2020

Check Out the Magnificent Mixology of Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Today on the World Cafe, it’s a mix you won’t want to miss… Since there’s never a bad time for a great Sharon Jones vocal performance, we’ll hear her…
Mar 23, 2020

Feeling Cooped Up Practicing Self-Isolation? Maybe it’s Time to Start a Band! World Cafe Airs Tuesday at 2pm

Did you know? You can use almost anything to make music. By simply tapping her thighs, Maggie Rogers wrote the rhythm for her song “Alaska”; Sibling…
Mar 20, 2020

It’s a 1999 Needledrop on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Moby made a seminal record based on the samples of musical archivist Alan Lomax. Dido wrote a song most people wouldn’t know about until Eminem…
Mar 19, 2020

Hear Music to Celebrate the New Season on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Winter is officially over. Today is the first day of Spring, and host Raina Douris brings us a playlist celebrating all the new season has to offer –…
Mar 19, 2020

An Encore Session with Guitarist Samantha Fish on the World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Guitarist Samantha Fish makes bold and expressive blues music. So, it may come as a surprise that she needed a nudge to perform live at first, when…
Mar 16, 2020

Members of The Pogues and the Lost Bayou Ramblers Form Poguetry on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Members of The Pogues have teamed up with the Louisiana band Lost Bayou Ramblers to form a new act, called Poguetry. Spider Stacy, original member of…
Mar 13, 2020

Local Favorite Michaela Anne on an Encore Edition of World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Michaela Anne grew up the daughter of a Navy Captain, and by the time she graduated high school, she had lived in 20 different houses. As an artist,…
Mar 12, 2020

Soccer Mommy Performs Off New Album Color Theory on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Soccer Mommy has a new album called Color Theory. It’s broken into 3 sections – yellow, blue, and gray – according to what the songs mean to her. On…
Mar 11, 2020

Singer Jonah Mutono Performs on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Singer Jonah Mutono has lived in Uganda, Kenya, Philadelphia, London and New York. Growing up, he says he didn’t have a lot of creative friends. And…
Mar 10, 2020

Aubrie Sellers Performs From Her New Album, Far From Home on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Aubrie Sellers It might seem like musicians are flocking to Nashville to seek their fortune– and, a lot of them are. But Aubrie Sellers? She grew up…
Mar 09, 2020

An Encore Session with Marcus King on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

About a year ago, Marcus King left his home in South Carolina, moved to Nashville, and made his first solo record. It was produced by his buddy, Dan…
Mar 06, 2020

Katie Pruitt joins host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Katie Pruitt was brought up in a religious household in suburban Atlanta without a lot of gay role models, and with parents who worried she would be…
Mar 06, 2020

Huey Lewis and the News Join Host Raina Douris with New Stuff on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Huey Lewis and the News have released a new original album, called Weather, their first in almost twenty years. But while they were in the process of…
Mar 05, 2020

Great Grandpa Perform Live on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

At the release of Great Grandpa's first album, they all lived in the same Seattle apartment, and owed their sound in part to that city's roots in the…
Mar 03, 2020

Billie Eilish Joins the Bond Family with “No Time To Die” on the World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

James Bond has been a spy for almost 60 years now, one of the longest-running film series ever. Since the beginning, with 1962’s Dr. No, we’ve seen…
Mar 02, 2020

Bonny Light Horseman Join Host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe - Tuesday at 2pm

Bonny Light Horseman is a project of three friends who got together to make new folk music, inspired by the spirit of old folk music. That trio is…
Mar 02, 2020

An Encore Session with The Growlers on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

The Growlers have a sound so unique, they needed to name their own genre for it: “beach goth.” The California band initially got together when asked…
Feb 28, 2020

Nathaniel Rateliff - World Cafe Friday at 2 pm

After two successful albums, including their 2015 breakout song "S.O.B.", Nathaniel Rateliff has side-tracked from his band The Night Sweats to…
Feb 27, 2020

Robbie Robertson talks about The Band, Bob Dylan, Martin Scorcese and more - World Cafe Thursday

Robbie Robertson of The Band visits the World Cafe! Their 1969 self-titled record featured classics like “Up On Cripple Creek” and “The Night They…
Feb 26, 2020

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong join host Raina Douris - World Cafe Wednesday @ 2 pm

The live show of Baltimore outfit, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, is an experience similar to seeing Phish or The Grateful Dead…There’s an energy between…
Feb 25, 2020

Becca Stevens - Wonderbloom - World Cafe Tuesday @ 2 pm

Heather Heyer was tragically murdered while peacefully protesting the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville back in 2017. Shortly after, Becca…
Feb 23, 2020

Twin Peaks mini concert - Monday @ 2 pm on World Cafe

Chicago band Twin Peaks makes music that feels like you’re hanging out with your best friends, which makes sense, because the band is made up of 5…
Feb 14, 2020

Hiss Golden Messenger ‘s MC Taylor Joins Host Raina Douris on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Hiss Golden Messenger is North Carolina singer-songwriter, MC Taylor. His latest album, Terms of Surrender, almost didn’t become a reality – The…
Feb 14, 2020

Sense of Place Virgina Wraps Up with David Wax Museum and Lowland Hum on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

World Cafe's Sense of Place trip to Charlottesville, Virginia wraps up with local bands David Wax Museum and Lowland Hum, who have created a unique…
Feb 12, 2020

It’s the Hackensaw Boys on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

World Cafe continues its Sense of Place trip to Charlottesville, Virginia with the Hackensaw Boys. They've been part of the sound of Charlottesville…
Feb 10, 2020

Sense of Place Charlottesville, VA continues with the Cavalier Marching Band on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

World Cafe’s Sense of Place trip to Charlottesville, Virginia continues today with a dose of school spirit! At the University of Virginia, we’ll meet…
Feb 07, 2020

A New Sense of Place: Charlottesville with Dave Matthews on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

In a new Sense of Place series, World Cafe hits the road this week to explore Charlottesville, Virginia. To kick things off, we start with…
Feb 06, 2020

The Overcoats Perform on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The New York duo, Overcoats, debuted in 2017 with a minimalist sound and otherworldly harmonies that many music critics described as “sweet.” But,…
Feb 06, 2020

The Wood Brothers on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Kingdom in My Mind, the latest album from The Wood Brothers, started from some time spent jamming in a new studio space. The songs didn’t end up as…
Feb 04, 2020

Actor Jeff Golblum Shows Off His Musical Side on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

When you think of actor Jeff Golblum, his notable roles in movies like Jurassic Park and Independence Day may come to mind. But he’s also a jazz…
Feb 03, 2020

A Slaughter Beach, Dog Mini-Concert Recorded Live at WXPN on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Philadelphia pop-punk band Modern Baseball went on indefinite hiatus back in 2017 following a period of writer’s block from songwriter Jake Ewald. He…
Jan 31, 2020

The Lone Bellow Join Host Raina Douris on World Cafe – Friday at 5pm

The Lone Bellow created their new album in solitude. The trio worked, ate, and slept in an upstate New York studio – away from everything – and left…
Jan 31, 2020

An Encore Session with The Head and the Heart on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

The Head and The Heart return for a special acoustic performance in front of a live audience who gave us some questions for the band that led to some…
Jan 29, 2020

The Milk Carton Kids Join Host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

After recording their last album with a backing band, The Milk Carton Kids decided to return to their duo roots. On the new record, The Only Ones,…
Jan 28, 2020

Leif Vollebekk Joins Host Raina Douris on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Just before Leif Vollebekk released his 2017 album Twin Solitude, he thought it might be his last…He felt like he wasn’t reaching an audience or…
Jan 27, 2020

Nashville Singer-Songwriter David Olney’s Rich Legacy of Music on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Nashville singer-songwriter, David Olney, passed away on January 18th. He leaves behind a rich collection of songs from his nearly five decades as a…
Jan 24, 2020

A Grammy Preview with Raina Douris and Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The 62nd annual Grammy Awards are happening this Sunday, and World Cafe hosts Raina Douris and Stephen Kallao review a bunch of their favorite…
Jan 22, 2020

An Encore Session with Michael Kiwanuka on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Michael Kiwanuka’s latest album Kiwanuka is being heralded as among the best of the year. It follows up the success of 2016’s Love & Hate which…
Jan 20, 2020

Big Thief Performs on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

The band Big Thief put out two albums in 2019 – U.F.O.F. and Two Hands. The band joins us on the next World Cafe. We’ll hear stories about how the…
Jan 17, 2020

An Encore Session with Yola and Talia Schlanger on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

British musician Yola describes her life as a series of ups and downs – being homeless one day and getting compliments from James Brown the next. She…
Jan 16, 2020

NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson Joins Raina and Kallao to Discuss the Grammys on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The 92nd annual Grammy Awards are on Sunday and NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson, co-host of the podcast “Pop Culture Happy Hour”, joins the Raina and…
Jan 15, 2020

Jeremy Ivey Talks About His Solo Debut with host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Jeremy Ivey has stepped out with his solo debut, after years of writing and playing on the albums of his wife, country singer-songwriter Margo Price.…
Jan 14, 2020

Hiss Golden Messenger Performs Live on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Hiss Golden Messenger Hiss Golden Messenger almost didn’t want to release his latest album Terms of Surrender – The songs were just too raw. In the…
Jan 14, 2020

Son Little’s Harrowing Hard Drive Failure. He Joins Host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Son Little’s new songs were in great shape, when his hard drive failed, and he lost everything. That’s the beginning of the story of his new album,…
Jan 10, 2020

An Encore Session with Clairo on the World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Clairo was a senior in high school when she shot a music video for her song “Pretty Girl” in her bedroom and uploaded it to YouTube, where it’s…
Jan 10, 2020

The Lumineers Perform Live on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The Lumineers have become one of the biggest bands in America since their song “Ho Hey” topped numerous charts in 2012. Their ambitious new album,…
Jan 08, 2020

The Growlers Join Host Raina Douris and Perform Live on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

The Growlers have a sound so unique, they needed to come up with their own genre for it: “beach goth”. The California band originally got together…
Jan 07, 2020

Chrissie Hynde Joins Host Raina Douris on This Encore World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Lead singer of The Pretenders for the last four decades, Chrissie Hynde embodies the essence of rock ‘n’ roll. On her new solo album, the sound may…
Jan 06, 2020

The New Pornographers Join Host Raina Douris and Perform Live on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

There are currently eight band members in The New Pornographers. And like so much of their catalog, their latest album, In The Morse Code Of Brake…
Jan 05, 2020

Whitney Performs Live on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Chicago indie duo Whitney’s sophomore album is called Further Seems Forever, and unlike their debut which was a breakup album, this is a commitment…
Jan 03, 2020

Michaela Anne Joins Host Raina Douris on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Michaela Anne grew up the daughter of a Navy Captain, and by the time she graduated high school, she had lived in 20 different houses. As an artist,…
Jan 01, 2020

Anthony Lamarca Performs Live with The Building on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Anthony Lamarca fronts a band called The Building when he isn’t busy playing guitar in the Grammy Award winning band, The War on Drugs. When he and…
Dec 31, 2019

To Ring in 2020, It’s All About New Beginnings, Changes, and Fresh Starts on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

To ring in 2020, host Raina Douris spins a playlist of songs all about new beginnings, changes, and fresh starts. We’ll hear from Tears for Fears,…
Dec 30, 2019

World Cafe’s Final Look Back Interview Features Lizzo – Tuesday at 2pm

It’s World Cafe’s final look back at the best interviews of the year today…And Lizzo had a pretty remarkable 2019. We’ll hear her live performance of…
$Today’s Best of 2019 Interviews Include Pete Townshend and Raphael Saadiq on World Cafe – Monday at 2\pm$

Dec 29, 2019

Today’s Best of 2019 Interviews Include Pete Townshend and Raphael Saadiq on World Cafe – Monday at 2\pm

World Cafe returns to some of the year’s best interviews as 2019 comes to a close. Today, it’s Pete Townshend, who has a new album with The Who and…
Dec 26, 2019

Alabama Shakes Singer Brittany Howard, Plus Actor Edward Norton on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard’s debut solo album is NPR Music’s album of the year. We’ll hear Brittany and her band perform some of her tunes…
Dec 25, 2019

Grammy Winner Vince Gill on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Vince Gill has won over 20 Grammys and sold over 25 million albums. His latest record Okie is his most personal and autobiographical release yet. He…
Dec 24, 2019

Los Lobos’ First Ever Christmas Album on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Los Lobos went through nearly 150 Christmas-related songs from North, South and Central America to pick what to cover on their first ever holiday…
Dec 23, 2019

A New Record From Puss N Boots on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

A little over a decade ago, friends Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper started playing out together in Brooklyn just for fun. Now, the…
Dec 22, 2019

Clairo’s New Album and Current Tour on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Clairo was a senior in high school when she shot a music video for her song “Pretty Girl” in her bedroom and uploaded it to YouTube where it’s racked…
Dec 19, 2019

Michael Kiwanuka on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Michael Kiwanuka’s latest album Kiwanuka is being heralded as among the best of the year. It follows up the success of 2016’s Love & Hate which…
Dec 18, 2019

The Masterful Geddy Lee Geeks Out on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

In Rush songs like “Tom Sawyer’ & “Closer to the Heart” singer Geddy Lee shows off his massive vocal range. But it’s the low-end melodies of Lee’s…
Dec 17, 2019

Raina and Kallao Run Down the Best Music of 2019 on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

2019 was an incredible year for music, and hosts Raina Douris and Stephen Kallao look back on the year that was, featuring song from Lizzo, Bruce…
Dec 16, 2019

Joan Shelley Joins Host Stephen Kallao on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Joan Shelley is a proud Kentucky native, but she looked for inspiration far from home in making her new album, Like the River Loves the Sea. Along…
Dec 12, 2019

Chrissie Hynde Joins Host Raina Douris on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Chrissie Hynde embodies the essence of rock ‘n’ roll as the lead singer of The Pretenders over the last four decades. On her new solo album, the…
Dec 09, 2019

An Encore Session with Jessy Wilson on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Jessy Wilson was looking for a more rock ‘n’ roll vibe after her former group, the Americana duo Muddy Magnolias, broke up. So, she reached out to…
Dec 05, 2019

Aubrie Sellers Performing at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Aubrie Sellers took country music to the garage on her 2016 debut, New City Blues. She has a rock ‘n’ roll swagger that separates her from the more…
Dec 04, 2019

Bedouine Performs off Her New Record on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Bedouine was born in Syria, moved to Saudi Arabia as a child, and then eventually found her way to the United States – her first self-titled album…
Dec 03, 2019

Jakob Dylan and Andy Slater Discuss the Making of Echo in the Canyon on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

In Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles in the mid-‘60s, bands like The Byrds, The Mamas and the Papas, and The Beach Boys made music history – They…
Dec 02, 2019

Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

The veteran bluegrass instrumentalist, Rob Ickes, and the young guitar prodigy, Trey Hensley, have formed an inspired collaboration. Ickes and…
Nov 29, 2019

The Sustainability of Illiterate Light on the Next World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Long before Coldplay announced their issues with touring and sustainability, the band Illiterate Light was biking across the mid-Atlantic for…
Nov 29, 2019

Former Oasis Frontman Liam Gallagher Joins Host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The Britpop icon just released his second solo album, called Why Me? Why Not. And he’s the subject of the new documentary, As It Was, chronicling the…
Nov 27, 2019

It’s an Encore Session with Questlove on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

You’re invited to a Thanksgiving potluck with Questlove, the co-founder of The Roots and bandleader for The Tonight Show. Quest stops by to talk…
Nov 26, 2019

Robbie Robertson Joins Host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Today, Robbie Robertson of The Band visits the World Cafe! It’s the 50th anniversary of “Up On Cripple Creek” and the rest of the songs on The Band’s…
Nov 25, 2019

Host Raina Douris Welcomes Jade Jackson to World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Jade Jackson’s latest collection is a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. She released her sophomore album, Wilderness, this past…
Nov 22, 2019

Host Raina Douris Welcomes Della Mae on the World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Today on the World Cafe, it’s the unmistakably modern and inventive bluegrass string band, Della Mae. When two-time Grand National Fiddle Champion,…
Nov 22, 2019

Kelsey Waldon Blazes the Neo-Traditional Country Trail on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Kelsey Waldon is at the forefront of the neo-traditional country scene in Nashville and, with her latest album, she is the first signing to John…
Nov 20, 2019

Shawn Colvin Performs Solo Acoustic on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

TODAY’S PROGRAM MY BE PRE-EMPTED BY SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Shawn Colvin’s debut,…
Nov 19, 2019

It’s Sonny Landreth on the Next World Cafe – Wednesday at 2p

TODAY’S PROGRAM MY BE PRE-EMPTED BY SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY. Sonny Landreth tells stories about performing a…
Nov 18, 2019

The Head and the Heart Perform Live on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

TODAY’S PROGRAM MY BE PRE-EMPTED BY SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY. The Head and the Heart stop by with a special acoustic…
Nov 15, 2019

Pete Townsend Tells You All About His First Ever Novel on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Pete Townshend, the major creative force behind The Who, has written his first ever novel, titled The Age of Anxiety – And, there are plans to turn…
Nov 15, 2019

Live Performance from The Mavericks at Americana Fest on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

TODAY'S PROGRAM MY BE PRE-EMPTED BY LIVE NPR NEWS COVERAGE OF THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY. Band leader Raul Malo and his band The Mavericks are…
Nov 13, 2019

Molly Tuttle’s Remarkable Talent on Next World Cafe with Host Raina Douris – Thursday at 2pm

Bluegrass up-and-comer, Molly Tuttle, released her full-length debut in April, called When You’re Ready. It established her imaginative songwriting…
Nov 12, 2019

More from Americana Fest with The Record Company on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

TODAY'S PROGRAM MY BE PRE-EMPTED BY LIVE NPR NEWS COVERAGE OF THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY. The Record Company is a blues-rock trio whose gritty…
Nov 11, 2019

A Set of Tanya Tucker’s New Songs Live at the Americana Music Fest on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Tanya Tucker was 13 years old when she had her first hit song, 1972’s “Delta Dawn,” and she continued to top the charts throughout her career. Now,…
Nov 10, 2019

Host Raina Douris Welcomes Robert Randolph and The Family Band to World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Robert Randolph and The Family Band combine the raucous spirit of Saturday night with the Holy Spirit of Sunday morning! The literal family band’s…
Nov 07, 2019

Noah Gundersen on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Noah Gundersen and his band perform music from Noah’s latest album, Lover on the next World Cafe. Noah also talks about the psychedelic experience he…
Nov 06, 2019

Singer Jessy Wilson Discusses Why Her Sound is Often Mislabeled on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Jessy Wilson was looking for a more rock ‘n’ roll vibe after her former group, the Americana duo Muddy Magnolias, broke up. So she reached out to…
Nov 05, 2019

Raphael Saadiq Joins World Cafe Host Stephen Kallao – Wednesday at 2pm

One of the most important voices in R&B today, Raphael Saadiq is host Stephen Kallao’s guest. His new record is named after his brother who died of a…
Nov 04, 2019

Of Monsters and Men Perform Live on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

If you only know the Icelandic band Of Monsters & Men for their indie folk hit “Little Talks,” their new album may come as a surprise. Fever Dream…
Nov 01, 2019

Mwenso & The Shakes Perform Off Their Debut Album, Emergence on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Mwenso & The Shakes make an energetic blend of jazz and R&B, led by the mesmerizing frontman, Michael Mwenso. Originally born in Sierra Leone,…
Nov 01, 2019

Edward Norton Joins Host Stephen Kallao on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

When Edward Norton read Jonathan Lethem’s novel, Motherless Brooklyn, he knew he wanted to play the lead role of Lionel, a detective with Tourette…
Oct 29, 2019

Jonatha Brooke Keeps it Short and Sweet with World Cafe’s Bruce Warren – Wednesday at 2pm

Jonatha Brooke has been making music for 30 years, first as a part of the duo, The Story, and then as a solo artist since 1994. After several…
Oct 28, 2019

World Cafe’s Stephen Kallao is Joined By the Band Ranky Tanky – Tuesday at 2pm

The band Ranky Tanky is from Charleston, South Carolina, and their music draws on the culture of slave descendants from the region known as the…
Oct 25, 2019

Quinn Christopherson Shares His Experience as a Transgender Man on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Quinn Christopherson is the winner of this year’s Tiny Desk Contest, which saw over six thousand applicants all vying for the chance to perform their…
Oct 24, 2019

Grace Potter on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Grace Potter has sung with country star Kenny Chesney, the Rolling Stones and her former band, The Nocturnals. Four years ago, Grace released her…
Oct 23, 2019

David Wax Museum Perform Live on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

David Wax Museum is led by husband and wife duo, David Wax and Suz Slezak. Their new album is called Line of Light, and it was born out of the 2017…
Oct 22, 2019

The Many Sides of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Bandleader for The Tonight Show on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots, and bandleader for The Tonight Show, is also an author five times over. His latest book, Mixtape Potluck, is…
Oct 21, 2019

An Encore Session with Brittany Howard on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

The band Alabama Shakes took home the 2016 Grammy for Best Rock Performance thanks, in large part, to the powerful vocals and guitar work of the…
Oct 18, 2019

Che Apalache on the Next World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Che Apalache have a take on bluegrass unlike anything you have heard before. When bandleader Joe Trooper moved to Argentina he found a way to combine…
Oct 18, 2019

The Hold Steady Perform Live on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The Hold Steady’s first album in five years, called Thrashing Through the Passion, is filled with the character studies the band is known for, with…
Oct 16, 2019

The Mysterious Splendor of Queer Country Musician Orville Peck on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Orville Peck may perform in disguise as a masked cowboy, but he also pushes at the boundaries of what country music can sound like. We talk about the…
Oct 15, 2019

The Bird and the Bee Love Van Halen So Much, They Covered Them. Masterfully – World Cafe Begins Wednesday at 2pm

The Bird and the Bee, made up of Greg Kurstin and Inara George, is an electronic jazz duo – But they happen to love Van Halen. So what happens when…
Oct 14, 2019

On the Next World Cafe, We Talk with Ezra Koening of Vampire Weekend – Tuesday at 2pm

Singer and guitarist of Vampire Weekend, Ezra Koenig stops by the Cafe! Their latest album, Father of the Bride, is the band’s first since founding…
Oct 11, 2019

Shawn Colvin Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Steady On With a New Acoustic Version of the Record on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Shawn Colvin’s debut, Steady On, which won her the first of her Grammys. To celebrate, Shawn re-recorded the…
Oct 11, 2019

The Pixies Talks About Their Early Days and Perform Live on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Between 1988 and 1991, the Pixies released four albums that changed the sound of indie rock music. After a long hiatus, the band has been…
Oct 09, 2019

Egyptian Born Tamino Performs Live on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Tamino, who was born in Egypt and raised in Belgium, started out making punk rock. But by his late teens, he had embraced his voice and a more…
Oct 08, 2019

Shovels & Rope Join Host Stephen Kallao on This Encore Edition of World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

The latest album from Shovels & Rope, called By Blood, speaks to their bond as a band, and as a family. Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst are…
Oct 07, 2019

Vince Gill and His New Album Okie on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Vince Gill is of the most accomplished and respected county musicians all of time. He’s also one of the humblest. That’s what makes his latest album…
Oct 04, 2019

Meet Madison Cunningham on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Twenty-two-year-old artist, Madison Cunningham, got started earlier than most. She’s been seriously pursuing her songwriting since age 12 and moved…
Oct 02, 2019

The Story Behind Breakdown on 20th Ave. South with Buddy and Julie Miller on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Americana duo Buddy and Julie Miller have a new album called Breakdown on 20th Ave. South – It’s named after a real address, and a real-life…
Oct 01, 2019

Mattiel Shares Her Artistic Journey on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

From designer at MailChimp to musician – that is the creative path Mattiel took, and on the next World Cafe, she shares how her day job helped make…
Sep 30, 2019

Raphael Saddiq is Stephen Kallao’s Guest on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

One of the most important voices in R&B today, Raphael Saddiq is host Stephen Kallao’s guest. His new record is named after his brother who died of a…
Sep 27, 2019

Party Like it’s 1999 with Kallao on the World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Another World Cafe decades show today! After taking musical journeys through 1979 and 1989, today we go back to the year 1999. The days of Napster,…
Sep 27, 2019

Talia’s Final Show as Host of World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

On Talia Schlanger’s last show as host of the World Cafe, we listen back to a 2018 session with her guest, St. Vincent. The experimental indie rocker…
Sep 25, 2019

We Hear Talia’s Interviews with Jenny Lewis and John Mayer on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

The devil and the delight is in the details on Jenny Lewis’ latest album On the Line. She performs songs, shares the wild story of how Ringo Starr…
Sep 24, 2019

Encore Performances from Macy Gray and David Crosby on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Macy Gray was a single mother of three when she got the big break that led to her 1999 debut album, which featured the song “I Try”. In the 20 years…
Sep 23, 2019

Singer, Songwriter, and Storyteller Margo Price on This Encore World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Singer, songwriter, and storyteller extraordinaire Margo Price performs music from her socially and politically charged second album, 2017’s All…
Sep 20, 2019

Performances by Lizzo and Josh Ritter on the Next World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Rapper, singer, producer and classically trained flute player Lizzo earned her first Billboard number 1 song at the start of September. She popped by…
Sep 19, 2019

Brittany Howard on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The band Alabama Shakes took home the 2016 Grammy for Best Rock Performance thanks, in large part, to the powerful vocals and guitar work of the…
Sep 18, 2019

Keren Ann Takes Us on a Walk Around Montmartre on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

It’s World Cafe's final day in Paris and today we’re joined by Keren Ann. She takes us on a walk around her neighborhood, Montmartre – which was once…
Sep 17, 2019

Sense of Place, Paris – Delgres Delgres Performs on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Sense of Place, Paris – Delgres Delgres is a 3 piece blues band that draws on a variety of influences – they are based in France, but look to leader…
Sep 16, 2019

Sense of Place, Paris – Ibeyi + Theremin on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

The twin sisters of the duo Ibeyi split their time between Cuba and France as kids. In an interview and performance recorded live in Paris, the pair…
Sep 13, 2019

The Raconteurs Perform off Their New Album on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

After 11 years, The Raconteurs are back with their new album Help Me Stranger. Its packed with the same crunchy rock and roll the band was built on.…
Sep 11, 2019

We’ll Hear From Michelle Zauner Who Makes Music as Japanese Breakfast on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Michelle Zauner has an incredibly rich creative life. She makes music as Japanese Breakfast with her collaborator Craig Hendrix, she directs music…
Sep 10, 2019

Lee Fields & The Expressions Perform Live on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

After releasing his first single 50 years ago, today’s guest shares songs from his 2019 album, It Rains Love. It’s Lee Fields. He’s holding down the…
Sep 06, 2019

The Hold Steady Front Man Craig Finn Performs Live on the World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Craig Finn, frontman of The Hold Steady, has released the third album in a series of solo records that’s become a proper trilogy. It’s called I Need…
Sep 04, 2019

Adrian Quesada and Eric Burton Perform as Black Pumas on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

The powerful voice of Eric Burton caught the attention of Grammy-winning producer Adrian Quesada. At the time, Quesada was searching for a singer to…
Sep 03, 2019

Guster Performs From Their Latest Album, Look Alive, on an Encore World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Guster has been making well-loved alt-rock, including their big hit “Fa Fa”, for over 25 years, and they still manage to surprise themselves with…
Sep 02, 2019

Cedric Burnside Performs Live and Give Us a Music Lesson on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Today, host Stephen Kallao is joined by blues royalty – It’s Cedric Burnside. He grew up in Benton County in rural Mississippi, where he was raised…
Sep 02, 2019

Are Low-Income Neighborhoods Hotter than Wealthier Ones? An NPR Investigation on All Things Considered – Tuesday at 5pm

An NPR investigation finds low-income neighborhoods in dozens of major cities nationwide are hotter than their wealthier counterparts. And that can…
Aug 30, 2019

World Cafe’s Farewell to London Sense of Place Finale – Friday at 2pm

World Cafe says goodbye to London today with a showcase of some of the city’s best indie acts. We’ll hear live music from The Amazons – a rock ‘n’…
Aug 30, 2019

Talia Schlanger Joins Willie Nelson on His Tour Bus on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

The 86-year-old country icon has a new album, called Ride Me Back Home, and today we’ll hear him talk about the new music, as well as classics that…
Aug 28, 2019

World Cafe’s Sense of Place Continues with Nile Rodgers – Thursday at 2pm

World Cafe’s Sense of Place series continues with the legendary Nile Rodgers, who you might know from Chic. He’s also the writer, producer and…
Aug 27, 2019

World Cafe’s Sense of Place London Continues with Ibibio Sound Machine – Wednesday at 2pm

World Cafe’s Sense of Place series in London continues with the vibrant and funky band, Ibibio Sound Machine. Lead singer Eno Williams was born in…
Aug 26, 2019

Talia Schlanger Tours London with Guide Richard Porter on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

World Cafe’s Sense of Place adventure in London continues – And today is for Beatles fans. Host Talia Schlanger hops around London with tour guide…
Aug 23, 2019

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Jeff Buckley’s Grace on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Today is the 25th anniversary of Jeff Buckley’s only studio album, Grace. The singular artist’s life and career were cut short when he tragically…
Aug 23, 2019

A Music Tour of London on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Today kicks off an entire week of World Cafe in London! First, it’s a weird and wonderful piece of the city’s history – George Frideric Handel, who…
Aug 21, 2019

Rhiannon Giddens on This Encore World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Since her days with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens has explored many rich collaborations – From writing a ballet to performing in a…
Aug 20, 2019

An Encore World Cafe Featuring Cage the Elephant with Host Stephen Kallao – Wednesday at 2pm

Since their 2008 debut record, which included the hit song “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked,” Cage the Elephant has become one of the biggest bands in…
Aug 19, 2019

King Princess on This Encore World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

King Princess is a young producer, singer, multi-instrumentalist and emerging gay icon. In this encore edition of World Cafe, she talks about…
Aug 16, 2019

Karl Denson of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Karl Denson is the leader of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, who make a fusion of funk, jazz, soul, and rock. He also has one of the coolest side gigs…
Aug 16, 2019

This is Us Composer Siddhartha Khosla in the Encore World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Siddhartha Khosla is the composer for NBC’s hit series “This Is Us,” and he was recently nominated for an Emmy for his work on the show. Today we'll…
Aug 14, 2019

Carlos Santana Recalls Woodstock 50 Years Ago on World Cafe – Thursday, at 2pm

Carlos Santana is an astonishing guitarist, from his groundbreaking performance at Woodstock, to his latest album, produced by Rick Rubin, called…
Aug 13, 2019

Legendary Producer T Bone Burnett Joins Talia Schlanger on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

T Bone Burnett tells insider stories about working on epic musical projects over three decades – Like playing inspirational records for Brandi…
Aug 12, 2019

Beirut Performs Live on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Ever since he was a kid in Santa Fe, Zach Condon has loved skateboarding and longed to see the world. Both came into play when he was making his band…
Aug 09, 2019

Pure Bathing Culture Talk Perseverance and Perform Live on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

After getting dropped from their label and losing their management team, Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman, the Portland duo that is Pure Bathing…
Aug 09, 2019

Shovels & Rope Perform from Their New Album on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

The new album from Shovels & Rope, called By Blood, speaks to their bond as a band, and as a family. Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst are partners…
Aug 07, 2019

Justin Osborn Performs as Susto on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Nineties alternative meets roots rock with today's guest, Justin Osborn, who performs as Susto. His chosen stage name, in Latin American culture, is…
Aug 06, 2019

An Encore Session with Maggie Rogers on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

With the release of her full-length debut, Heard It in a Past Life, Maggie Rogers has been making huge TV appearances, including Saturday Night Live,…
Aug 05, 2019

Calexico and Iron & Wine on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Calexico and Iron & Wine have teamed up to make a new record called Years to Burn. On the next World Cafe, we’ll hear performances and get the story…
Aug 02, 2019

Tim Baker Performs Live on Word Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Moving and breaking up – two experiences that can be pretty life changing. Tim Baker experienced them both in a short time after his former band Hey…
Aug 02, 2019

The 8 Foundational Mothers of Modern Music on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

This year’s theme for NPR Music’s Turning the Tables series is the 8 foundational mothers of modern music. Including Maybelle Carter, Billie Holdiay,…
Jul 31, 2019

What do Janes Addiction, Porno for Pyros, and Lollapalooza Have in Common? World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Perry Farrell has fronted the bands Janes Addiction and Porno for Pyros. He also founded a little music festival known as Lollapalooza, which now has…
Jul 30, 2019

A-WA is a Band of Three Sisters from Israel Who Perform Live on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

A band of three sisters from Israel, A-WA, mix Yemeni folk traditions with hip hop and electronic music. Their latest album, called Bayti Fi Rasi, is…
Jul 29, 2019

Austin-Based Singer-Songwriter Molly Burch Performs Live on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Austin-based singer-songwriter, Molly Burch, released the loose, moody record, First Flower, last year, and she’s recently been busy with a…
Jul 26, 2019

Kamasi Washington is Talia’s Guest on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Kamasi Washington is a saxophonist with roots in jazz, but he colors way outside the lines of improvised music. He’s collaborated with artists…
Jul 26, 2019

Australia’s Camp Cope Tells Stories From the Road on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Camp Cope is a 3-piece rock band from Australia, and they’re also fearless activists. They’ve called out sexism in the music industry and led…
Jul 24, 2019

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Christone Ingram has been dazzling blues fans with his incredible guitar playing since he was a teenager. Now, with the release of his debut album,…
Jul 23, 2019

Come on down to the Better Oblivion Community Center with Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

What do you get when two World Cafe favorites come together as a new act? Better Oblivion Community Center! Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst’s latest…
Jul 22, 2019

A Special Preview of the New Album from Caamp on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

The new album from Caamp, called By and By, comes out on Friday. Today, we’ll get a preview! Formed around guitarist Taylor Meier and banjo player…
Jul 21, 2019

Catching Up with Lukas Nelson on World Cafe – Monday at 5pm

Lukas Nelson – He’s been busy, to say the least, since his last visit with his band Promise of the Real in 2017. They continue to play live as Neil…
Jul 19, 2019

The Black Keys Play Live on the World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The Black Keys went on hiatus after their 2015 tour but recently returned with a new album called Let’s Rock. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney share…
Jul 18, 2019

Duff McKagan & Shooter Jennings on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

During Guns N’ Roses 2015 tour, bassist Duff McKagan recognized he was headed down a rabbit hole of cable news, so he turned off the television and…
Jul 16, 2019

A New Release From Gloria Gaynor on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

The legendary Gloria Gaynor has released a new gospel album. It’s called Testimony and celebrates her faith through original songs and her take on…
Jul 15, 2019

Briston Maroney on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Briston Maroney was still in high school when he passed the audition for American Idol (Although he’s more Kurt Cobain than Carrie Underwood).…
Jul 14, 2019

Tedeschi Trucks Band Are Back on the World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

This month marks 20 years since Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks met. They share why starting a band together felt more intimidating than getting…
Jul 12, 2019

King James and the Special Men Perform Live on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Today on the World Cafe, we have a special slice of New Orleans, King James and the Special Men. After living out west his entire life, bandleader…
Jul 10, 2019

Rodrigo Y Gabriela Perform on the Next World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Today on the World Cafe, it’s the incredible dual guitars of Rodrigo Y Gabriela. Their new album, titled Mettavolution, draws on the Sanskrit word…
Jul 09, 2019

The National on This Encore Edition of World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

The National made an album, called I Am Easy To Find, and in the process, wrote a film score as well. The movie of the same title stars Alicia…
Jul 08, 2019

Tank and the Bangas Perform Live on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Tank and the Bangas were the unanimous winners of NPR Music’s 2017 Tiny Desk Contest. This band is full of musical surprises, and frontwoman Tank…
Jul 05, 2019

Molly Tuttle Performs Off Her Debut Album, When You’re Ready on World Cafe – Monday at 2pm

Molly Tuttle became the first woman to ever be nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Guitar Player of the Year award. And…
Jul 05, 2019

The O’Jays with Their New Album on the Encore Edition of World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

With 1972’s “Back Stabbers,” and then the song “Love Train” the following year, The O’Jays hit the charts and helped take Philadelphia soul…
Jul 03, 2019

It’s an All-American Road Trip Adventure on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

This 4th of July, World Cafe takes a road trip across the USA for an all-American adventure! We’ll stop at Asbury Park with Bruce Springsteen, spend…
Jul 02, 2019

Lizzo is Having a Big Year in This Encore World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Emerging superstar Lizzo is a jack of all trades – From songwriting and rapping, to playing the flute and producing, and of course, singing. Her many…
Jul 01, 2019

Emily King Talks About Recording Her Latest Album Scenery on This Encore World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

For the recording of her latest album, Scenery, Emily King wanted to change up her own scenery a bit with a new location. Specifically, a freezing…
Jun 28, 2019

Andrew Bird on This Encore Edition of World Cafe – Monday at 2 pm

Andrew Bird’s last album, Are You Serious, was very inward-looking, inspired by pivotal moments in his personal life. And now, his latest album…
Jun 27, 2019

Talia’s Favorite Songs of 2019 (So Far) on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

We’re just over halfway through 2019, and today host Talia Schlanger takes a look back at some of her favorite songs of the year so far. It’s a year…
Jun 26, 2019

Jenny Lewis Performs on This Encore World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Jenny Lewis performs music from her latest album, On The Line. Jenny started writing the album after a significant break-up with her long-time…
Jun 25, 2019

Roots Singer-Songwriter and Actor Ben Dickey on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2 pm

Shortly after releasing his first solo record, roots singer-songwriter Ben Dickey also debuted as an actor. He starred as outlaw country musician…
Jun 24, 2019

Cat Power Talks About the Album That Almost Didn’t Get Made on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Talia Schlanger’s guest today is Cat Power, performing songs from an album that almost didn’t see the light of day. First, Chan found out she was…
Jun 20, 2019

Talia Schlanger Joins Willie Nelson on His Tour Bus on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Host Talia Schlanger joins one of the most recognized artists in country music, Willie Nelson on his tour bus to talk about his new album Ride Me…
Jun 19, 2019

Band of Brothers “The Cactus Blossoms” on World Cafe – Thursday at 2 pm

Brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum sound like they’ve been harmonizing since they were kids, but it wasn’t until they formed their band “The Cactus…
Jun 18, 2019

Singer-Songwriter Marissa Nadler Revives Old School Country on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Singer-songwriter Marissa Nadler puts an original twist on old school country. That twist has allowed her to step into broad musical territory over…
Jun 17, 2019

Queer Country Musician Orville Peck on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Orville Peck makes country music in the spirit of the standards he grew up with, from Johnny Cash, to Merle Haggard, and Dolly Parton, but mixed in…
Jun 13, 2019

Rhiannon Giddens’ Latest Collaboration with Francesco Turrisi on World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

Since her days with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens has explored many rich collaborations, from writing a ballet to performing in a…
Jun 12, 2019

Ace of Cups Debut Album Was 50 Years in the Making on World Cafe – Thursday at 2pm

Ace of Cups performs for World Cafe Live (YouTube)Ace of Cups recently released a debut album 50 years in the making. The all-female band formed in…
Jun 11, 2019

Texas Roots Rocker Hayes Carll’s With His New Album on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2pm

Hayes Carll on World Cafe. Courtesy of the artist/via NPRTexas roots rocker Hayes Carll’s new album, What It Is, came together with the help of an…
Jun 10, 2019

Lizzo Talks About Writing Her Hit Song, Juice on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Lizzo. Credit: Courtesy of the Artist/via NPRLizzo is having a moment. Her songs have been burning up the charts and she was recently nominated for…
Jun 09, 2019

Carlos Santana and His Latest Album on World Cafe – Monday at 2 pm

Roberto Finizio/Courtesy of the Artist/via NPRCarlos Santana is one of the most influential guitarists of the last 50 years, from his groundbreaking…
Jun 06, 2019

The National on the Next World Cafe – Friday at 2pm

The National. Credit: Diedre O'Callaghan/Courtesy of the artist/via NPRThe National aren’t strangers to creating art in unconventional ways - like…
Jun 05, 2019

Norah Jones’ New Album Begin Again on World Cafe – Thursday at 2 pm

Come Away with Me turned Norah Jones from a total unknown to a multi-Grammy Award-winning artist. That early fame has allowed her maximum artistic…
Jun 04, 2019

It's the Godfather of Newgrass Sam Bush on the Next World Cafe – Wednesday at 2 pm

Considered the Godfather of Newgrass, Sam Bush has had a profound influence on the evolution of bluegrass and modern Americana music. He’s the…
Jun 03, 2019

Josh Ritter Plays From Fever Breaks on an Encore World Cafe – Tuesday at 2pm

Josh Ritter has released a new album, called Fever Breaks. He stops by the World Cafe for a special stripped-down performance of his new songs –…
May 30, 2019

The Year Was 1979 and the Music Was Good on World Cafe – Friday at 2 pm

Today on the World Cafe, we’re setting the clock back 40 years to 1979! It’s the year that gave us one of the most famous and sampled bass lines…
Apr 21, 2019

King Princess Talks Openly About Being Gay in Her Songs on World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

King Princess, whose real name is Mikaela Strauss, grew up in the recording studio her dad, Oliver, built.
Apr 07, 2019

A Bright Rising Star From England, Nilüfer Yanya on World Cafe – Monday at 2 pm

A bright rising star from England, Nilüfer Yanya wrote songs throughout her childhood, and by 18 started to capture some attention.
Mar 10, 2019

Hozier Has a New Full-Length Album, Wasteland, Baby! An Encore World Cafe – Tuesday at 2 pm

Hozier In the Fall Hozier released his the highly anticipated EP “Nina Cried Power” - on the title track he paid tribute to those who try to create…
Mar 09, 2019

Naiomi Hamilton’s Latest Project, Jealous of the Birds, on World Cafe – Monday at 2 pm

If you’re headed to South by Southwest this week, an act you have to see is Jealous of the Birds, the band project of Naomi Hamilton.
Mar 09, 2019

Naomi Hamilton’s Latest Project, Jealous of the Birds, on World Cafe – Monday at 2 pm

If you’re headed to South by Southwest this week, an act you have to see is Jealous of the Birds, the band project of Naomi Hamilton.
Mar 02, 2019

Maggie Rogers Shares Some New Music on the Next World Cafe – Monday at 2 pm

With the release of her full-length debut, Heard It In a Past Life, Maggie Rogers has been making huge TV appearances, including Saturday Night Live,…
Feb 25, 2019

Day Three of the Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul Series on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2 pm

For the final installment of the Gospel roots of Rock and Soul series, today World Cafe explores how gospel was absorbed into mainstream music and…
Feb 24, 2019

Part Two of a Special Series on the Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul on World Cafe – Tuesday at 2 pm

By the mid-20th century, gospel music was a force in America. It was capturing the attention of record companies and audiences across the nation.
Feb 23, 2019

World Cafe Explores the Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul – Monday at 2 pm

In a special three-day series starting today, World Cafe explores the Gospel roots of Rock and Soul. We’ll begin with the foundation of Black gospel,…
Feb 19, 2019

Gary Clark Jr Talks About Growing Up in Austin, TX on World Cafe – Thursday at 2 pm

Gary Clark Jr. was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live last weekend.
Feb 16, 2019

Hear Talia Schlanger’s Conversation with Macy Gray on World Cafe – Monday at 2 pm

Macy Gray’s 1999 hit song “I Try” made her into a massive star and Grammy award-winner.
Feb 11, 2019

Celebrating Black History Month with a Special Roundtable Discussion on World Cafe – Wednesday at 2

Celebrating Black History Month, it’s a special roundtable discussion today about the black artists and creators who are shaping the future.
Oct 03, 2018

It’s an Encore Session With Ray LaMontagne on World Café – Today at 2 pm

Ray LaMontagne is known for keeping his personal life quite personal, but on the next World Cafe, he opens up about his music, his family and his…
Oct 02, 2018

Jad Abumrad is the Special Guest on World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Dolly Parton, Devendra Banhart, and They Might Be Giants all contributed original songs to a new compilation of music inspired by the amendments to…
Oct 01, 2018

An Encore Session With Dessa on World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Dessa’s latest album was inspired by a unique experiment. She recruited a team of scientists to locate the spot in her brain responsible for a…
Sep 30, 2018

Aaron Lee Tasjan on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Aaron Lee Tasjan is a singer-songwriter with an unconventional Nashville sound and a new album, Karma for Cheap.
Sep 29, 2018

Aaron Lee Tasjan Joins Host Stephen Kallao on the Next World Café – Monday @ 2 pm

Aaron Lee Tasjan is a singer-songwriter out of Nashville, but when you think Americana his sound might not be what comes to mind.
Sep 26, 2018

DeVotchKa on the Next World Cafe – Today at 3 pm

Nobody sounds quite like DeVotchKa. The band surrounds the striking voice of singer Nick Urata with sousaphone, accordion, theremin and violin.
Sep 24, 2018

It’s An Encore Session With John Prine on World Cafe – Wednesday at 3 pm

On his latest album, The Tree of Forgiveness, John Prine imagines that, in the afterlife, he’ll reunite with his loved ones and smoke a cigarette…
Sep 23, 2018

Chris of Christine and the Queens on the Next World Cafe – Tuesday at 2 pm

Chris of Christine and the Queens describes herself as pop music’s weird cousin. But World Cafe's Talia Schlanger thinks of her as pop’s bright,…
Sep 22, 2018

Hear the Sounds of 1988, on the Next World Cafe – Begins at 2 pm

Grab your walkman, because World Cafe is going back to 1988! It's the year that introduced us to Rain Man and The Wonder Years, the Iran-Contra…
Sep 18, 2018

It’s an Encore Session With Robert Hilburn on Paul Simon – World Cafe Begins at 2 pm

On the eve of Paul Simon’s retirement from recording music and touring, renowned music critic and author Robert Hilburn joins us to discuss his…
Sep 17, 2018

Leon Bridges on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm.

When Leon Bridges debuted in 2015 to widespread acclaim, he was called “the new Sam Cooke.
Sep 17, 2018

An Encore Session With Caroline Rose on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Caroline Rose's latest album is a departure from the alt-country sound of her first two albums.
Sep 15, 2018

On World Cafe, Join David Dye at the Philadelphia Folk Festival! Today at 2 pm

For 57 years, the Philadelphia Folk Festival has presented a diversity of artists, as well as icons like Bonnie Raitt and John Prine.
Sep 13, 2018

Music Supervisor Jennifer Pyken is Guest DJ, on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Jennifer Pyken is a music supervisor who has worked on over 500 episodes of TV shows, like "Lost," "One Tree Hill," and "Smallville," and this…
Sep 12, 2018

Dawn Landes Joins Host Talia Schlanger on World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Dawn Landes wanted to capture the sound of classic Nashville for her latest record, so she tracked down one of her heroes; Country Music Hall of…
Sep 10, 2018

Highlighting AmericanaFest Artists With Some Live Nashville Sessions on World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

This week, the biggest brightest stars, and most exciting emerging artists of Americana gather together in Nashville to showcase their stuff for…
Sep 09, 2018

On the Next World Cafe, We’re Going to the Newport Folk Festival – Today at 2 pm

The Newport Folk Festival takes place every year at the end of July, 3 days, 4 stages, and a whole bunch of amazing musicians.
Sep 06, 2018

The Pretty Impressive Ry Cooder on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Ry Cooder has been playing music for fifty years, with everybody from The Rolling Stones to Neil Young, and made some pretty impressive albums along…
Sep 05, 2018

Sunny War’s Folk-Meets-Blues-Meets-Punk Guitar Style on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

A disarming young talent named Sunny War recently joined host Talia Schlanger in the studio.
Sep 03, 2018

Wayne Kramer Tells His Story on the Next World Cafe – Wednesday at 2 pm

You may know Wayne Kramer for his time playing guitar for the radical rock group MC5, who broke up in 1972.
Sep 03, 2018

Juno Award Winner Matt Mays on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Juno Award winner Matt Mays has been on the road for nearly two decades, wowing audiences with his amazing rock growl.
Sep 01, 2018

Performance Highlights From the XPoNential Music Festival on World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

World Cafe is produced by WXPN, and each Summer the Philadelphia station presents the three-day XPoNential Music Festival.
Aug 30, 2018

Meg Myers Plays Live on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

On Take Me To The Disco, Meg Myers makes explosive, aggressive rock, coupled with synthesizers, strings and plenty of distortion.
Aug 29, 2018

Amos Lee Performs Live on World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Amos Lee’s new record comes out on Friday, and to celebrate we'll hear live music from his recent concert in Seattle and hang out with the muse who…
Aug 27, 2018

David Byrne Talks About American Utopia on World Cafe - Today at 2 pm

David Byrne tells stories about the songs on his latest solo album, American Utopia, which zoom in on the mind of a dog, the forgotten regions of the…
Aug 27, 2018

An Encore Session With Squirrel Nut Zippers on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

The Squirrel Nut Zippers are back with Beasts of Burgundy, their first new album of original songs in 18 years.
Aug 26, 2018

An Encore Session With Bermuda Triangle on World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Bermuda Triangle started harmonizing together on porches as pals and turned into one of the most storied new groups in Nashville.
Aug 23, 2018

Take A Trip With Gorillaz and Host Stephen Kallao on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

We’ll talk with Damon Albarn and hear live songs from the new album The Now Now recorded in Japan and written as Gorillaz traveled through the U.S.
Aug 22, 2018

Meet and Hear Dermot Kennedy on the Next World Cafe – Today at 2 pm

Dermot Kennedy has been called onstage by Glen Hansard and collaborated with Kanye West’s go-to producer – it seems clear why the moment you hear the…
Aug 19, 2018

Vanessa Parr From the Other Side of the Studio Glass – World Cafe, Today at 2 pm

Engineer Vanessa Parr has worked on records with Rhiannon Giddens, Elton John, the Dixie Chicks, John Mayer and more.
Aug 19, 2018

It's an Encore Session With Jack Johnson on the Next World Cafe - Today at 2pm

It’s an encore presentation of our session with the grateful and warm Jack Johnson! Johnson flew in from Hawaii and walked into our studio wearing…
Aug 13, 2018

Jukebox the Ghost Goes Off to the Races on the Next World Café – Today at 2 pm

On their new fifth record, Off to the Races, Jukebox the Ghost are at their pop-rock best – The songs are filled with inventive melodies, big hooks,…
Aug 11, 2018

Call it Psychedelic, Call it Classic, or Call it the Sound of New Nashville – World Cafe, Monday @ 2

Check out the sound of new Nashville today on the World Cafe! Liz Cooper & The Stampede have just released a debut that showcases their take on…
Aug 09, 2018

Courtney Marie Andrews Sings From Her Album, May Your Kindness Remain – World Cafe Today at 2 pm

Courtney Marie Andrews left home at age 16 to pursue music. She spent years touring the country and learning how to get by on her own, which involved…
Aug 08, 2018

Nick Lowe Shares Wisdom From His Former Father-in-Law, Johnny Cash – World Cafe at 2 pm

Nick Lowe has been making music for over 50 years, with highlights like "Cruel to Be Kind" and "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and…
Aug 07, 2018

200 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century by Women and Non-Binary Artists on the Next World Cafe @ 2 pm

Jill Sternheimer of the Lincoln Center and World Cafe's Nashville correspondent Ann Powers just released a list of the 200 Greatest Songs of the 21st…

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