October 18, 2019
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 stories full of twists and turns. But how they’ve chosen to support the record is new territory; instead of a months-long tour across the U.S., they’re…
October 16, 2019
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 mask, the songs he’s written, his pastiche of influences (like new wave, punk and gospel), and the response he’s received as a queer country…
October 15, 2019
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 they re-imagine one of the greatest guitar rock bands of all time, without using guitars? Interpreting the Masters, Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen is…
October 14, 2019
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 member Rostam Batmanglij announced his departure from the group back in 2016. We’ll hear from Ezra about writing this new batch of songs – The…
October 11, 2019
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 album in a solo acoustic arrangement, the same way she’s been performing these songs live for years. We’ll hear about what the record means to her,…
October 11, 2019
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 consistently releasing new music for the past decade, including their latest album, called Beneath the Eyrie. Today, Black Francis and Joey Santiago stop by to…
Oct 09, 2019
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 extraordinaire Margo Price performs music from her socially and politically charged second album, 2017’s All…
Sep 20, 2019
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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 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 series in London continues with the vibrant and funky band, Ibibio Sound Machine. Lead singer Eno Williams was born in…
Aug 26, 2019
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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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 is an astonishing guitarist, from his groundbreaking performance at Woodstock, to his latest album, produced by Rick Rubin, called…
Aug 13, 2019
T Bone Burnett tells insider stories about working on epic musical projects over three decades – Like playing inspirational records for Brandi…
Aug 12, 2019
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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, released the loose, moody record, First Flower, last year, and she’s recently been busy with a…
Jul 26, 2019
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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 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 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
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
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
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
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’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
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 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
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
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
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
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 puts an original twist on old school country. That twist has allowed her to step into broad musical territory over…
Jun 17, 2019
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
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 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
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. 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
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. Credit: Diedre O'Callaghan/Courtesy of the artist/via NPRThe National aren’t strangers to creating art in unconventional ways - like…
Jun 05, 2019
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
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 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
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, 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 wrote songs throughout her childhood, and by 18 started to capture some attention.
Mar 10, 2019
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live last weekend.
Feb 16, 2019
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, it’s a special roundtable discussion today about the black artists and creators who are shaping the future.
Oct 03, 2018
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
Dolly Parton, Devendra Banhart, and They Might Be Giants all contributed original songs to a new compilation of music inspired by the amendments to…
Sep 30, 2018
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 is a singer-songwriter out of Nashville, but when you think Americana his sound might not be what comes to mind.
Sep 26, 2018
Nobody sounds quite like DeVotchKa. The band surrounds the striking voice of singer Nick Urata with sousaphone, accordion, theremin and violin.
Sep 24, 2018
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 describes herself as pop music’s weird cousin. But World Cafe's Talia Schlanger thinks of her as pop’s bright,…
Sep 22, 2018
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
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
When Leon Bridges debuted in 2015 to widespread acclaim, he was called “the new Sam Cooke.
Sep 17, 2018
Caroline Rose's latest album is a departure from the alt-country sound of her first two albums.
Sep 15, 2018
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
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 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
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
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
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
A disarming young talent named Sunny War recently joined host Talia Schlanger in the studio.
Sep 03, 2018
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 has been on the road for nearly two decades, wowing audiences with his amazing rock growl.
Sep 01, 2018
World Cafe is produced by WXPN, and each Summer the Philadelphia station presents the three-day XPoNential Music Festival.
Aug 30, 2018
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’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 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
The Squirrel Nut Zippers are back with Beasts of Burgundy, their first new album of original songs in 18 years.
Aug 26, 2018
Bermuda Triangle started harmonizing together on porches as pals and turned into one of the most storied new groups in Nashville.
Aug 23, 2018
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
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
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 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
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
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 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 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
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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