World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Plus, Chris Thile and Sara Watkins join World Cafe to talk about the making of and meaning behind Celebrants.

One of the greatest artists of all time, Warwick joins World Cafe to recount stories from throughout her career.

Vocalist Piya Malik talks about how the Brooklyn band formed and their debut album, Prism.

World Cafe correspondent John Morrison dives into Rundren's 1973 album, A Wizard, a True Star.

World Cafe sits down with guitarist The Edge, who produced and curated the band's new collection of re-recordings.

Enjoy this mini-concert featuring songs from Shufflemania!, Hitchcock's latest album of surrealistic rock.

Country music belongs to anyone with a story. Adeem The Artist asks big questions about privilege, race and toxic masculinity on their new album White Trash Revelry.

The Okkervil River frontman plays songs from his debut solo album in this mini-concert recorded live for World Cafe.

The R&B singer talks about striving for musical perfection on his debut album, Ivory.

The Philadelphia musician shares his fears and observations on an increasingly anxiety-inducing world.

The musician explores the ways their hometown has grown and changed over the years.

Jason Singer's mix of optimism and vulnerability has been one of indie rock's most exciting stories in the last few years.

World Cafe caps off its exploration of the Black roots of R&B with a look at the genre in the 2000s, forward.

The duo talk to World Cafe about their first album of all-new music since 2016.

The Birmingham, Ala.-based eight-piece band play songs from their entire catalog in this mini-concert for World Cafe.

The '90s saw the continued rise of powerhouse vocal groups in R&B music.

The Utah band talks about how they grew closer during the making of their second album, Waiting to Spill.

The genre-defying artist talks about his latest album, CHAOS NOW*.

From Prince to Whitney Houston, the '80s was a pivotal decade for R&B music in the mainstream.

With six platinum records and a career going on its fifth decade, "Weird Al" went from parodying the biggest artist to becoming one.

Brian Aubert and Nikki Monninger talk about the indie rock band's sixth studio album, Physical Thrills.

To celebrate Black History Month, World Cafe is exploring the Black roots of R&B through the decades, beginning with the '70s.

World Cafe asked veteran music journalists Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot of Sound Opinions to choose the definitive Chicago album.

Chicago's Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church played a pivotal role in the evolution of gospel.

The "beat scientist" and composer chats about his musical upbringing and his approach to remixing live music.

Ayana Contreras, host of WBEZ's Reclaimed Soul, talks about what makes Chicago soul special.

The city's Chicago Music Exchange boasts a massive showroom that looks more like a museum of musical instruments.

DePaul University student Eli Schmitt hosts live performances from local bands as part of his New Now series.

The Puerto Rican rapper and educator travels all over the city and the world using hip hop as a way to connect.

Born in Chicago, Mayfield was responsible for so much music over the course of his career, from soundtracks to his work with The Impressions.

The musician talks about her latest album, It Was A Home, and the creative community she's fostered in Chicago.

The man behind albums by Nirvana, the Pixies and more opens the doors to Electrical Audio and details his egalitarian approach to working with musicians.

Industrial music heavyweight Martin Atkins pulled from his personal collection of memorabilia to create Chicago's new Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music.

Demi Lovato reflects on the limitations of the "hyper-feminine pop star" and embracing a hard rock sound on her latest album, HOLY F***.

For a long time, singing was something Danielle Ponder did on the side, but with the release of her debut album, Some of Us Are Brave, last fall, it's become her main focus.

Captain Kirk Douglas, the guitarist and vocalist for The Roots, talks about his second solo album, New Unknown.

Alvvays frontwoman Molly Rankin talks about the stolen demos and recording experiments that led to the Canadian band's latest album, Blue Rev.

Copeland, widely considered one of the greatest blues singers of her generation, talks about the third installment in a trilogy of albums.

Hear Honey Harper's blend of cosmic country and southern rock in this mini-concert recorded live for World Cafe.

The Philadelphia-based musician performs covers from Baker's classic record, Chet Baker Sings.

Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake talk about the band's 10th record, Get Rollin', and how the public perception of Nickelback has changed in recent years.

Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood formed a new band, and they share this exclusive mini-concert, recorded at the 2022 Montreux Jazz Festival.