World Cafe Words and Music Podcast
NPR
WXPN's live performance and interview program featuring music and conversation from a variety of important musicians
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 4, 2025 • 28min
Friedberg on their debut album, 'Hardcore Workout Queen'
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
Sep 3, 2025 • 29min
World Cafe: Samantha Crain
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
Sep 1, 2025 • 14min
What exactly is butt rock? It depends on who you ask
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
Aug 28, 2025 • 12min
Acadiana Music Showcase: Babineaux Sisters
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
Aug 27, 2025 • 17min
British funk band Cymande are finally getting their flowers
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
Aug 26, 2025 • 13min
Living Colour's 'Time's Up' was a reclamation of rock music's Black roots
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
Aug 25, 2025 • 33min
Natalie Bergman is looking at the world for the first time
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
Aug 22, 2025 • 41min
The sound of ‘cosmic country,’ according to its architect, Daniel Donato
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
Aug 19, 2025 • 38min
After a breakout year, Self Esteem is learning that confidence isn't a given
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
Aug 15, 2025 • 36min
Where can bluegrass go next? Molly Tuttle has an idea
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
