World Cafe Words and Music Podcast
World Cafe is a live performance and interview program produced by WXPN, featuring music and conversation with a wide range of important musicians. Each episode includes intimate performances and in-depth interviews, offering listeners a unique behind-the-scenes look at the artists' creative processes. The podcast covers various genres and highlights both emerging and established talent.
Episodes
How a Midwestern landfill inspired Fruit Bats' latest album
Eric D. Johnson, who performs as Fruit Bats, talks about making The Landfill.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
How being 'fake brave' helped The Army, The Navy find real confidence
The bond between Maia Ciambriello and Sasha Goldberg, who perform together as The Army, The Navy, is at the heart of their debut album, Fake Brave Life.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Before the Breakthrough: Selena
For Hispanic Heritage Month, World Cafe is diving into the late Tejano performer's ascent to stardom.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
For Alabama Shakes, making music together again was like 'riding a bike'
The trio returns with their first studio album in 11 years.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
How Brian Jackson reimagined some of his legendary work with Gil Scott-Heron
Jackson and Scott-Heron created some of most memorable protest music of the early '70s, through the duo’s combination of jazz, soul, funk and spoken word poetry. Fifty years later, Jackson’s new album, Now More Than Ever, revisits some of their most iconic songs.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship
The Womack Sisters leaned on each other to keep their musical ambitions alive
BG, Zeimani and Kucha Womack are music royalty — nieces to Bobby Womack and the granddaughters of Sam Cooke. Their debut album comes after a series of tragic setbacks.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
John R. Miller takes to the road on 'The Great Unknowing'
Miller's new album is a sort of travelogue inspired by his years as a traveling musician, but it’s also an exploration of quieter moments.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Before the Breakthrough: Los Lobos
For Hispanic Heritage Month, World Cafe is diving into the East Los Angeles band's career and music before "La Bamba" changed everything. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
'You gotta make it wiggly': How The Wiggles set the standard for kid's entertainment
Plus, the Australian children's music group perform a cover of Olivia Dean's megahit, "Man I Need."See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
For Michaela Anne, the 'humdrum is holy'
The singer-songwriter found her way out of a two-year songwriting drought after finding inspiration in the "absolute magic" of everyday life.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Tune in to a mini-concert with Friko
The Chicago band performs music from their sophomore album, Something Worth Waiting For.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Swamp Dogg contemplates the afterlife
The 84-year-old musician and producer has built a cult following for his weird, satirical, hilarious musical personality.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Before the Breakthrough: Daddy Yankee
The Puerto Rican star's 2004 single, "Gasolina," helped launch reggaeton into the stratosphere.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Bedouine builds a home for herself on 'Neon Summer Skin'
After a trip to her childhood home in Saudi Arabia, the Syrian American musician was left contemplating what it means to "be home."See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Tune in to a mini-concert with Brother Wallace
The Georgia singer performs songs from his debut album, Electric Love.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
beabadoobee looks toward what connects us on 'Pylon'
The singer and songwriter joined forces with Chino Moreno, Turnstile's Brendan Yates and more on her grunge-leaning fourth studio album.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Before the Breakthrough: Shakira
For Hispanic Heritage Month, World Cafe is diving into the Colombian star's career before she made her U.S. crossover with 2001's Laundry Service.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Carly Rae Jepsen pulls out all the stops on 'Day and Night'
The Canadian pop star talks about her ambitious double album, becoming a parent and writing music for the Broadway adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Kelsey Lu faces a reckoning on 'So Help Me God'
The vocalist and cellist also performs a stunning set live from World Cafe's performance studio.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Culture Corner: Revisiting DJ Shadow's 'Endtroducing.....'
World Cafe correspondent John Morrison explains how the California producer's debut album shifted what music could sound like.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Interpol gets experimental on 'This Mirror Weighs a Ton'
Lead guitarist Daniel Kessler joins World Cafe to talk about the band's eighth studio album.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Old Crow Medicine Show reflect on 250 years of U.S. history
Morgan Jahnig and Ketch Secor join us to talk about the band's latest album, Union Made.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Sylvan Esso are finding ways to laugh among the doom
Lead singer Amelia Meath says the album reflects "a decision to continue living despite the fact that we continue being hurt."See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Bruce Hornsby on his latest album, 'Indigo Park'
The record features collaborations with longtime friends like Bonnie Raitt and Bob Weir, as well as a new generation of artists like Ezra Koenig and Blake Mills.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Tune in to a mini-concert with Ryan Bingham
The Oscar-winning musician and actor performs songs from his latest record, They Call Us The Lucky Ones.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
His family thought he was off to college. Dublin rapper KhakiKid had other plans.
The rising artist landed a viral hit in 2025 with "Date Night." He's following it up with a new EP, Girl Bites Dog.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Step into the world of 'Riverdance'
As part of our Sense of Place: Dublin series, World Cafe sat down with Riverdance's principal dancer.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
'Life will always flourish': How Madra Salach turned painful history into joy
The Irish band performs a powerful set of music from their debut EP, It's a Hell of an Age.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Tune in to a mini-concert with Florence Road
The Irish rock band performs music from their latest EP, Spring Forward.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
'It’s the music of my soul': In 2001, Dolly Parton brought bluegrass to World Cafe
Hear previously unreleased live performances from the country icon's bluegrass album, Little Sparrow.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Dublin band SPRINTS is finding success in a world that's on fire
World Cafe kicks off its latest Sense of Place series with a live session recorded in Ireland.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
How letting go of control helped Weezer's 20th album shine
Dubbed "the Gold Album," the rock band's latest record marks a new collaborative approach between the original members.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Brandon Flowers' songwriting has always had 'whispers' of country music
The Killers' frontman joins World Cafe to talk about exploring a country western sound on his new solo album, THRASHER.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Irish band Cardinals blends fact and fiction on 'Masquerade'
Plus, Cardinals perform live for World Cafe.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Revisiting Aaliyah's 'One in a Million'
The late singer's second studio album forecast sonic trends that would define R&B and pop in subsequent decades.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Tune in to a mini-concert with Medium Build
Nicholas Carpenter has spent the last decade crafting deeply personal songs that balance humor, vulnerability and heart.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
American Football never meant to pioneer 'midwest emo.' Their new LP is far from it.
The band talks about pulling from a deeper emotional well on 'LP4,' plus American Football performs live.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Andrew Sa expands the cowboy myth on 'American Rough'
Chicago's “premier queer country crooner” on his debut album.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Acadiana Music Showcase: A.J. Haynes
The lead vocalist of the Louisiana band Seratones joins us for the final installment of the Acadiana Music Showcase.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Arlo Parks leaves it all on the dance floor on 'Ambiguous Desire'
The English musician's latest record was shaped by New York City's club and DJ culture.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Tune in to a mini-concert with Devon Gilfillian
The Philadelphia native's latest album is a kaleidoscopic blend of rock, blues, soul, pop and country called Time Will Tell.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
How fatherhood rewired JJerome87's creative brain
Joe Newman, the British frontman of the indie band alt-J, talks about making his debut solo album, The Canyon.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
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