Accessibility links
World Cafe Words and Music Podcast WXPN's live performance and interview program featuring music and conversation from a variety of important musicians
World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Podcast Directory

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

From NPR

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

Most Recent Episodes

Acadiana Music Spotlight: Louis Michot & Swamp Magic

Louis Michot W RUSH JAGOE V./Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
W RUSH JAGOE V./Courtesy of the artist

Acadiana Music Spotlight: Louis Michot & Swamp Magic

World Cafe's new concert series highlights music from Louisiana's Cajun Country.

Louis Michot & Swamp Magic

Listen · 12:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1200121033/1258921139" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The Folk Implosion return with 'Walk Thru Me' after decades away

The Folk Implosion Cara Totman/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Cara Totman/Courtesy of the artist

The Folk Implosion return with 'Walk Thru Me' after decades away

Lou Barlow and John Davis talk about what brought them together again, plus they perform live for World Cafe.

The Folk Implosion on World Cafe

Listen · 35:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1200034673/1258909949" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Jessica Pratt cracks open the sunny veneer of the California dream

Jessica Pratt Renee Parkhurst/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Renee Parkhurst/Courtesy of the artist

Jessica Pratt cracks open the sunny veneer of the California dream

The Los Angeles-based musician was inspired by the dark side of state's mythology in the making of her fourth studio album.

Jessica Pratt on World Cafe

Listen · 29:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1199975707/1258754355" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
For Nick Cave, it took enduring devastation to embrace true joy

Nick Cave Megan Cullen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Megan Cullen/Courtesy of the artist

For Nick Cave, it took enduring devastation to embrace true joy

The Australian musician talks about the motivation and meaning behind Wild God, a new album with his band The Bad Seeds.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds on World Cafe

Listen · 46:27
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1199208494/1258693960" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The Culture Corner: Enter Soweto Gospel Choir's 'House of Worship'

Soweto Gospel Choir and Groove Terminator's History of House Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the artist

The Culture Corner: Enter Soweto Gospel Choir's 'House of Worship'

World Cafe correspondent John Morrison digs into the South African gospel group's latest record, which recontextualizes classic club hits.

The Culture Corner on World Cafe

Listen · 10:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198912834/1258531844" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Grace Cummings' vocal power is in full effect on 'Ramona'

Grace Cummings Tajette O'Halloran/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Tajette O'Halloran/Courtesy of the artist

Grace Cummings' vocal power is in full effect on 'Ramona'

The Australian artist performs songs from her latest album.

Grace Cummings on World Cafe

Listen · 30:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198912826/1258358951" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings look back on turbulent times on 'Woodland'

David Rawlings and Gillian Welch Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings look back on turbulent times on 'Woodland'

The folk duo's latest album is named after the East Nashville studio that was destroyed by a devastating tornado outbreak in 2020.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings on World Cafe

Listen · 53:36
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198912815/1258294984" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
For Elvis, Memphis was a wellspring of musical creation

Scotty Moore (from left), Elvis Presley and Bill Black formed The Blue Moon Boys after being introduced by Sun Studio owner Sam Phillips. Opal Walker/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Opal Walker/Courtesy of the artist

For Elvis, Memphis was a wellspring of musical creation

A new box set chronicles Elvis Presley's time in Grind City.

Matt Ross-Spang on World Cafe

Listen · 22:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198912772/1258074320" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
How a much-needed breather helped Dr. Dog craft its latest record

Dr. Dog Wyndham Garnett/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Wyndham Garnett/Courtesy of the artist

How a much-needed breather helped Dr. Dog craft its latest record

The Philadelphia band is back with a new self-titled album.

Dr. Dog on World Cafe

Listen · 44:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198912762/1258073625" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Sense of Place: ATARASHII GAKKO! wants to awaken Tokyo from its doldrums

ATARASHII GAKKO! Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the artist

Sense of Place: ATARASHII GAKKO! wants to awaken Tokyo from its doldrums

Following a set at Coachella and a breakout hit, this energetic Japanese girl group has its sights set on world domination.

ATARASHII GAKKO! on World Cafe

Listen · 31:41
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198912756/1257945542" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Podcast Directory
or search npr.org