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Episodes (42)
Squeeze closes the loop on songs they first started writing as teens
The English rock band's latest album, Trixies, consists of material Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook wrote when they were 19 and 16 years old. 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
Apr 20, 202619 min
Jessie Ware dances toward something deeper on 'Superbloom'
On her sixth studio album, the English singer crafts a place where pleasure, joy and real connection commingle. 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
Apr 17, 202627 min
How Rage Against the Machine's 'Evil Empire' unified the masses
World Cafe correspondent John Morrison says the rock band's second studio album was "one of the most inspired, quintessential mainstream rock records of the '90s." 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
Apr 16, 202611 min
Billy Idol has lived to tell his tale
The rock icon is the subject of a documentary called Billy Idol Should Be Dead. He's also among 2026's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees. 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
Apr 10, 202638 min
Mariachi music and punk rock have more in common than you might think
Matt Caughthran, lead singer of The Bronx, talks about the punk band's foray into mariachi music. 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
Apr 8, 202637 min
Tune in to a mini-concert with MT Jones
The musician from Liverpool, England, performs songs from his debut album, Joy. 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
Apr 7, 202616 min
Personal Records: Tim Heidecker
The comedian and musician joins World Cafe to share the songs that have shaped his 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
Mar 31, 202619 min
30 years in, hip-hop duo Atmosphere still has a lot to say
The Minneapolis duo, Ant and Slug, join us to talk about their latest studio album, Jestures. 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
Mar 30, 202625 min
Watch: On his debut solo LP, Flea fulfills a lifelong promise
Long before he became bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea was enamored with jazz music. On Honora, he puts that love to practice. 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
Mar 27, 202628 min
Langhorne Slim on his latest album, 'The Dreamin’ Kind'
The singer-songwriter's eighth studio album takes a turn toward rock. 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
Mar 26, 202629 min
The Nude Party on their latest album, 'Look Who's Back'
The North Carolina band drew influences from some of their favorite artists, like Neil Young and Natural Child. 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
Mar 24, 202629 min
Acadiana Music Showcase: Malentina
Malentina mixes musical influences from her birthplace in Puerto Rico with the culture of Southern Louisiana. 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
Mar 23, 202615 min
Lyn Collins encoded 'a bit of the future' into 'Think (About It)'
World Cafe correspondent John Morrison explains how the influential single released in 1972 has lived on through hip-hop, Baltimore club and viral TikTok dances. 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
Mar 19, 202616 min
Ratboys on their latest album, 'Singin' to an Empty Chair'
The Chicago rock band's new record was partly shaped by vocalist Julia Steiner's experience in therapy. 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
Mar 18, 202630 min
50 years into his career, Vince Gill feels at the top of his game
The Country Music Hall of Famer is in the midst of releasing a new EP every month for a year for his 50 Years From Home project. 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
Mar 11, 202628 min
Silvana Estrada’s latest album came after experiencing profound grief
The Mexican musician explains how the late ranchera icon Chavela Vargas helped her find her way back to songwriting after the death of her best friend. 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
Mar 6, 202638 min
Kashus Culpepper's first 'Act' started just 6 years ago, when he picked up a guitar
The rising country act from Alabama went from performing covers in the Navy to sharing stages with Wyatt Flores and Jelly Roll. 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
Mar 4, 202632 min
Acadiana Music Showcase: Andrina Turenne
This Canadian folk singer-songwriter has strong ties to Southern Louisiana. 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
Mar 2, 202611 min
Cate Le Bon didn't want to write about heartbreak. She did it anyways.
The Welsh songwriter channeled a sense of calmness to create the lush world of Michelangelo Dying. 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
Feb 27, 202632 min
On 'Cutthroat,' South London band Shame thrives in moral ambiguity
Lead vocalist Charlie Steen talks about the band's fourth studio album, plus Shame 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
Feb 26, 202631 min
Looking forward to the music of the African diaspora
On the final installment of World Cafe's Black History Month series, John Morrison talks about what's happening today in Black music. 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
Feb 25, 20268 min
Soccer Mommy’s signature 'bubblegrunge' sound takes center stage in this exclusive mini-concert
The Nashville musician performs a live set, recorded at last year's XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, N.J. 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
Feb 24, 202618 min
World Cafe: Don Was
The record producer, director and composer talks jazz, being in the room with stars like Willie Nelson and Paul Simon, and we find out the backstory of one of the most curious albums of the '90s. 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
Feb 20, 202633 min
How DJ culture helped connect Black music communities worldwide
For Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison shares another segment exploring the music of the African diaspora. 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
Feb 18, 202611 min
Introducing: Personal Records, a new mixtape series
The Canadian mockumentary sitcom series hits the silver screen. Show creators Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol join us for a brand new segment called Personal Records. 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
Feb 16, 202641 min
How a Scorpio took Lucinda Williams' 'Joy' and more stories from her catalog
The Americana icon talks about the songs that played a special role in her career in World Cafe's latest edition of Backtracking. 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
Feb 13, 202618 min
Flock of Dimes (Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner), live in concert
Hear live versions of songs from The Life You Save, the latest album from Jenn Wasner's solo project. 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
Feb 12, 202615 min
How technology amplified Black music's cultural exchange
World Cafe correspondent John Morrison explores the cultural exchange between different musical communities. 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
Feb 11, 202611 min
How This Is Lorelei gave old songs a new life on 'Holo Boy'
For his latest album, Nate Amos rerecorded songs from across his catalog, plus This Is Lorelei performs 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
Feb 5, 202632 min
From work songs to hip-hop, this 'fundamental concept' shaped Black music
For Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison kicks off a weekly series with a deep dive into the history of "call and response." 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
Feb 4, 202610 min
From local radio to global influence, the rise of Baltimore club music
Musician Abdu Ali and DJ Ducky Dynamo reflect on the rise of Baltimore club music and the efforts to preserve its history in the city where it began. 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
Feb 3, 202624 min
Why Dan Deacon never wants to leave Baltimore
The electronic musician talks about building a life and a career in the city that gave him room to experiment. 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
Jan 30, 202619 min
In Baltimore, a volunteer-run theater company embraces rock, gore and excess
The Baltimore Rock Opera Society creates original productions powered by DIY spectacle and a love of the unconventional. 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
Jan 28, 20269 min
What does Baltimore sound like?
The World Cafe team heads to Charm City for our latest Sense of Place series. 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
Jan 27, 202617 min
Acadiana Music Showcase: The Blue Monday Allstars
Once a month, this group of seasoned musicians from Lafayette, La., gather to help support aging and retired musicians. 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
Jan 22, 202613 min
Tune into a mini-concert with jazz quintet SML
The Los Angeles-based group joins World Cafe in the studio for an otherworldly set of improvisational music. 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
Jan 21, 202625 min
17 years after retiring, Canadian icon Anne Murray returns with new music
The country star breathes new life into long-forgotten recordings on Here You Are. 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
Jan 20, 202630 min
'It's a very Irish thing': CMAT on why making country pop felt inevitable
On Euro-Country, the Dublin-born artist draws on country music’s knack for storytelling to revisit her memories of Ireland’s economic crash in the 2000s. 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
Jan 16, 202650 min
On his latest album, William Prince writes his way back to Peguis First Nation
The Canadian songwriter reflects on home and ambition as his sound grows bolder on Further from the Country. 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
Jan 14, 202629 min
The unsung classic that helped define hip-hop's golden age
World Cafe correspondent John Morrison joins us to talk about why the East Coast rap group Main Source deserves a spot as one of the best hip-hop groups of the '90s. 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
Jan 13, 202612 min
Jazz obsession fuels Hether’s genre-bending album, 'Holy Water'
Guitarist and producer Paul Castelluzzo channels jazz foundations and years of pop studio work into Holy Water. 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
Jan 12, 202621 min
The song Josh Ritter was nervous to share and more stories from his catalog
The singer-songwriter joins World Cafe for a new installment of Backtracking, where musicians revisit songs from their back catalog that have shaped their careers. 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
Jan 9, 202635 min