All episodes of World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Episodes

Why Dr. Dog's Scott McMicken called on a band of strangers for his solo record

The musician talks about making Shabang with the help of his group, THE EVER-EXPANDING.

Published 05/16/23

The key to writing a boygenius song? Tell the truth.

Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus chat about group therapy, Rainer Maria Rilke and the making of their debut album as boygenius.

Published 05/12/23

For Lizzy McAlpine, songwriting is all about trusting your instincts

The Philadelphia native chats about the story behind her breakout record, five seconds flat.

Published 05/08/23

Set sail for Caroline Polachek's island

The pop star talks about the myriad sonic and visual influences behind her new record, Desire, I Want To Turn Into You.

Published 05/02/23

How Irish folk music inspired Trapper Schoepp's 'Siren Songs'

The Wisconsin singer-songwriter talks about the influences behind his latest record.

Published 04/24/23

'Fuse' reignites Everything But The Girl after a decadeslong hiatus

What started as a casual experiment evolved into the U.K. duo's first studio album in 24 years.

Published 04/21/23

The Culture Corner: How Massive Attack shook up pop culture in 1998

Examining the cultural impact of Massive Attack's biggest record, "Mezzanine."

Published 04/19/23

SYML walks the line between grief and love on 'The Day My Father Died'

The Seattle musician performs songs from his latest album, which features Lucius, Guy Garvey of Elbow, and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek.

Published 04/18/23

Making 'Multitudes' carried Feist through new beginnings

The musician's first full-length album since 2017 was influenced by the birth of her daughter and the death of her father.

Published 04/14/23

Sense of Place: Denton, Texas' Brave Combo does things their own way

The fierce independence behind their polka music has taken Brave Combo from Japan to an episode of The Simpsons.

Published 04/07/23

Sense of Place: How did Denton, Texas, become an unlikely jazz mecca?

Join us as we attend a rehearsal and talk with University of North Texas' One O'Clock Lab Band's director, Alan Baylock.

Published 04/05/23

Sense of Place: Step inside Dan's Silverleaf Bar in Denton, Texas

Whether they're just starting out or they're big stars, like Leon Russell, it's a place to see live music almost nightly in Denton, Texas.

Published 04/04/23

'Five Easy Hot Dogs' is a musical departure for Mac DeMarco

The record is all instrumental — no vocals, no lyrics — and was written and recorded on a road trip from LA to New York.

Published 04/03/23

On 'Continue as a Guest,' The New Pornographers skirt creative expectations

Frontman Carl Newman talks about the band's new album and why he steers clear of the internet.

Published 03/31/23

Ruston Kelly tore it all down on his new album — so he could build something better

The singer-songwriter calls it a foundation. In this session, hear a live performance of songs from The Weakness.

Published 03/30/23

Hozier takes things to the extreme on 'Eat Your Young'

The Irish crooner talks about his recent EP and offers details about his new album, Unreal Unearth, due out later this year.

Published 03/29/23

Nick Hakim flows seamlessly through R&B, soul and psychedelia on 'COMETA'

Hakim stopped by World Cafe for a mini-concert featuring live performances of songs off his latest album, COMETA.

Published 03/28/23

Hear live performances from Nickel Creek's first album in nearly a decade

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

Published 03/24/23

Dionne Warwick has never been afraid to say what's on her mind

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

Published 03/23/23

Say She She's sweet harmonies make the band's 'discodelic soul' music shine

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

Published 03/22/23

The Culture Corner: How Todd Rundgren shaped a generation of bedroom musicians

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

Published 03/21/23

U2 turns their rock anthems into intimate affairs on 'Songs of Surrender'

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

Published 03/17/23

Robyn Hitchcock's latest work is a party with a little melancholy

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

Published 03/15/23

Adeem The Artist wants to expand what's possible in country music

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.

Published 03/13/23