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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

WXPN's live performance and interview program featuring music and conversation from a variety of important musicians

The Grammy Award-winning musician is used to playing for big crowds, but there was one person whose opinion mattered more than anyone else's: her eldest daughter.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

'Have I gone too far?': Sarah McLachlan faces her toughest critic on new album

Days before Bad Bunny's Super Bowl announcement, World Cafe spoke to Alt.Latino hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras about his 31-date residency in Puerto Rico.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Expect a lot of Puerto Rican pride at Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show

The jazz musician reimagines hip-hop classics by The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan and more.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Kassa Overall connects the dots between jazz and hip-hop on 'CREAM'

The Swedish musician branches out into jazz and soul on her debut solo album.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Little Dragon's Yukimi embraces the feminine on 'For You'

David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel, of the legendary rock band, talk about their long-awaited reunion, plus what they really think about Paul McCartney.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

'I don't feel like getting up': Spinal Tap gets real about rocking into your 70s

The British record producer talks about releasing his first non-collaborative album in 12 years, plus Sherwood looks back on the U.K.'s electrifying dub scene.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Adrian Sherwood ponders 'The Collapse of Everything'

World Cafe correspondent John Morrison revisits the rock band's chart-topping sophomore album from 1970.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Culture Corner: Santana's 'Abraxas' was a blend of musical traditions

Lead vocalist and songwriter Liz Stokes took pointers from Stephen King's On Writing to get the New Zealand band's creative energy flowing.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How Stephen King helped The Beths' Liz Stokes write again

The British rock band talks about their latest album, More.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Pulp returns with 'More'

The folk duo's new album is about lowering your defenses in a post-pandemic world.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

World Cafe: Watchhouse

What started as a three-hour concert in 1974 has grown into three-day event celebrating Southern Louisiana's music and culture.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Acadiana Music Showcase: Festivals Acadiens et Créoles

Lord Huron frontman Ben Schneider talks about the band's latest album, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1. Plus, the band performs live.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Lord Huron explores 'the big mysteries' on the band's latest album

The London-based septet perform songs from their latest album, Tuff Times Never Last.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Kokoroko's set for World Cafe made heartbeats bounce

Just like Phish and the Grateful Dead before them, rising jam band stars Goose have inspired a very passionate fan following. Plus, they perform songs from their surprise album, Chain Yer Dragon.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The jams just keep flowing on Goose's 'Chain Yer Dragon'

Anna F. of Friedberg joins us to talk about the band's debut album, Hardcore Workout Queen, and why the cowbell is her favorite instrument. Plus, Friedberg performs live.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Friedberg on their debut album, 'Hardcore Workout Queen'

The Choctaw Nation singer-songwriter talks about embracing a community mindset on her latest album, plus Crain performs live.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

World Cafe: Samantha Crain

The once-pejorative label for a subgenre of rock has divided World Cafe along generational lines.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

What exactly is butt rock? It depends on who you ask

Gracie and Julie Babineaux have been making Cajun music for over a decade, writing and performing in Louisiana French. Their new album, Sans Soulier, is due out in October.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Acadiana Music Showcase: Babineaux Sisters

Originally ignored by fans in the U.K., the psychedelic funk band was later embraced by hip-hop groups like De La Soul and The Fugees.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

British funk band Cymande are finally getting their flowers

World Cafe correspondent John Morrison talks about the impact of the American hard rock band's sophomore album.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Living Colour's 'Time's Up' was a reclamation of rock music's Black roots

Natalie Bergman discusses how her latest album, My Home is Not in This World, was sparked by new beginnings, including becoming a mother. Plus, she performs live in the studio.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Natalie Bergman is looking at the world for the first time

The 30-year-old musician blends country, jam and rock into an out-of-this-world sound.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The sound of ‘cosmic country,’ according to its architect, Daniel Donato

Self Esteem has become one of the most irreverent voices in pop music since going solo in 2017. Today, Rebecca Lucy Taylor joins World Cafe to talk about her latest album, A Complicated Woman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After a breakout year, Self Esteem is learning that confidence isn't a given

Molly Tuttle talks about writing her latest album, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, with her partner Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show; meeting Ringo Starr; and about growing up with alopecia.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Where can bluegrass go next? Molly Tuttle has an idea

The Grammy-nominated producer and DJ talks about how her latest album, Eternal Reverie, became a tribute to her best friend and tour manager, who died of cancer in 2024.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

World Cafe: TOKiMONSTA

Amsterdam-based band Personal Trainer perform songs from their latest album, Still Willing, live in an exclusive mini-concert for World Cafe.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

World Cafe: Personal Trainer Mini-Concert

The Black Keys made headlines in 2024 when they cancelled their tour. Then they split with their management. But instead of taking a break, the duo recorded their latest album, No Rain, No Flowers.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After a stormy album cycle, The Black Keys bounce right back with a new LP

On the next World Cafe, Hamilton Leithauser joins us from his Brooklyn studio to discuss his latest solo album, This Side of the Island. He reflects on working with Aaron Dessner of The National and his longtime friendship with the late musician Richard Swift.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Hamilton Leithauser on his latest album, 'This Side of the Island'

After the departure of frontman Isaac Wood, the English rock band reconfigured and uncovered exciting new sounds in the process.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

'Forever Howlong' is a new frontier for Black Country, New Road

From Addis Ababa and Atlanta to Los Angeles, Mereba's sophomore album is a love letter to the past and the present.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mereba on her latest album, 'The Breeze Grew a Fire'

The musician joins us to talk about her latest album, Slang Spirituals.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How a Nina Simone cover helped Lady Blackbird take flight

World Cafe correspondent John Morrison joins us to explain the legacy of Scott's debut album, Who Is Jill Scott?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Culture Corner: 25 years ago, Jill Scott introduced herself to the world

The musician joins us to talk about his new album, Paradise Now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How Nigerian British pop star Obongjayar found his voice

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

The rapper and producer talks about his latest album, All American F*ckboy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Duckwrth released his latest project with help from a bold alter ego

Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius join us to talk about their fifth, self-titled album, plus they perform live.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Lucius create a world all their own on their latest record

The Memphis band performs songs from their new album, Family.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Tune in to a mini-concert with Southern Avenue

A central figure in the folk revival of the '60s, Kweskin has a brand new album out called Doing Things Right.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

60 years in, folk legend Jim Kweskin is still a faithful student of his craft

Funk band Galactic teams up with Irma Thomas, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," for a new record of original material.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Two of New Orleans' heavy-hitters unite on 'Audience With the Queen'

The Japanese singer-songwriter traveled captured field recordings for her latest album, Luminescent Creatures.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Tune in to a mini-concert with Ichiko Aoba

After a spot on the Italian version of The X Factor didn't help her as much as she'd hoped, the singer-songwriter took matters into her own hands.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sense of Place: Italian singer-songwriter Ariete has her sights set on stardom

Six Bars Jail, a small club located just outside of Florence, Italy, was founded in 2006.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy