World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

40 Episodes
Subscribe

By: NPR

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

✂️ Clip this podcast
World Cafe: DJ Jazzy Jeff
World Cafe: DJ Jazzy Jeff episode artwork
Yesterday at 3:50 PM

The DJ and producer recounts his early days in West Philadelphia and musical partnership with Will Smith.  

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


No one rings in the new year quite like Philadelphia's Mummers
No one rings in the new year quite like Philadelphia's Mummers episode artwork
Last Monday at 5:41 PM

Step inside a Philly clubhouse, where the Woodland String Band is preparing for the next Mummer's Day Parade.

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 Philly's DIY music scene, the spirit is 'do it together'
For Philly's DIY music scene, the spirit is 'do it together' episode artwork
Last Saturday at 12:00 PM

World Cafe hears from members of the city's ever-changing DIY music scene, both past and present.

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


Todd Rundgren remembers his formative years in Philly
Todd Rundgren remembers his formative years in Philly episode artwork
Last Friday at 5:36 PM

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree looks back at his childhood influences and early musical projects that preceded his 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


Master bassist Stanley Clarke's 'quest in life' is simple: Sound great
Master bassist Stanley Clarke's 'quest in life' is simple: Sound great episode artwork
06/23/2026

World Cafe sits down with a Grammy Award-winning jazz master as part of its Sense of Place: Philadelphia 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


Record producer Will Yip says Philly is the 'center of indie rock music'
Record producer Will Yip says Philly is the 'center of indie rock music' episode artwork
06/22/2026

World Cafe steps inside the Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer's new studio in South Philly as part of its 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


There's no part of the music industry Dyana Williams hasn't touched
There's no part of the music industry Dyana Williams hasn't touched episode artwork
06/19/2026

The radio DJ, journalist and activist shares tales from her storied career for the first installment of our series, Sense of Place: Philadelphia.

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: Dwight James & the Royals
Acadiana Music Showcase: Dwight James & the Royals episode artwork
06/18/2026

The Lafayette, La., band channels the spirit of classic soul, blues and R&B with a sound that is as timeless as it is fresh.

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


Hiss Golden Messenger doesn't want to throw in the towel
Hiss Golden Messenger doesn't want to throw in the towel episode artwork
06/17/2026

Frontman MC Taylor talks about infusing the band's latest album, I'm People, with a sense of hope.

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


Personal Records: Michael Imperioli
Personal Records: Michael Imperioli episode artwork
06/16/2026

The Emmy Award-winning actor sits down with World Cafe's Raina Douris to share some of the songs that have defined his story so far.

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


On his latest album, Rostam asks what it means to be American
On his latest album, Rostam asks what it means to be American episode artwork
06/12/2026

The musician, producer and Vampire Weekend cofounder shares musical insights from American Stories.

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 Sotomayor
Tune in to a mini-concert with Sotomayor episode artwork
06/11/2026

The Mexico City duo performs songs from their latest album, WABI SABI.

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 Courtney Barnett's meeting with a mantis led to 'Creature of Habit'
How Courtney Barnett's meeting with a mantis led to 'Creature of Habit' episode artwork
06/10/2026

The Australian musician's search for meaning amid a sea of change in Southern California set the backdrop for her new 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


Say She She on their latest album, 'Cut & Rewind'
Say She She on their latest album, 'Cut & Rewind' episode artwork
06/08/2026

Piya Malik, Nya Brown and Sabrina Cunningham join us to talk about their third 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


Why did José González use generative AI on his latest album?
Why did José González use generative AI on his latest album? episode artwork
06/03/2026

The Swedish songwriter and humanist says Against the Dying of the Light is "an urgent call to preserve the light of humanity."

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


Jazz guitar legend Bill Frisell looks back on his 40-year career
Jazz guitar legend Bill Frisell looks back on his 40-year career episode artwork
06/02/2026

Bill Frisell performs a song made famous by Barbra Streisand, 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


Joshua Ray Walker on his latest album, 'Ain’t Dead Yet'
Joshua Ray Walker on his latest album, 'Ain’t Dead Yet' episode artwork
06/01/2026

Following a cancer diagnosis, the Dallas country musician confronts mortality on his latest record.

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


Jack Antonoff on Bleachers' new album, 'everyone for ten minutes'
Jack Antonoff on Bleachers' new album, 'everyone for ten minutes' episode artwork
05/22/2026

The Bleachers frontman and record producer talks about making everyone for ten minutes.

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 The Belair Lip Bombs
Tune in to a mini-concert with The Belair Lip Bombs episode artwork
05/21/2026

The Australian indie rock band performs songs from their latest album, Again.

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


In 1971, Aretha Franklin captured the energy of the counterculture movement
In 1971, Aretha Franklin captured the energy of the counterculture movement episode artwork
05/19/2026

World Cafe correspondent John Morrison reflects on the legacy of Aretha Live at Fillmore West.

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


Genesis Owusu on his latest album, 'Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge'
Genesis Owusu on his latest album, 'Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge' episode artwork
05/18/2026

The Australian musician's third studio album reflects on the social and political turbulence of modern times.

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: Corey Ledet
Acadiana Music Showcase: Corey Ledet episode artwork
05/14/2026

The Grammy Award-nominated zydeco musician performs songs from his latest album, Live in Alaska.

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 Julianna Riolino
Tune in to a mini-concert with Julianna Riolino episode artwork
05/13/2026

The Ontario musician performs songs from her sophomore album, Echo in the Dust.

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


Sally Baby's Silver Dollars pours their heart into every performance
Sally Baby's Silver Dollars pours their heart into every performance episode artwork
05/12/2026

The New Orleans band performs songs from their new self-titled debut EP.

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


MUNA makes 'all-consuming limerence' sound so good on new album
MUNA makes 'all-consuming limerence' sound so good on new album episode artwork
05/11/2026

The Los Angeles trio joins World Cafe to talk about their fourth studio album, Dancing on the Wall.

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


Amy Grant returns with 'The Me That Remains'
Amy Grant returns with 'The Me That Remains' episode artwork
05/08/2026

The Christian pop mainstay's latest record is her first in 13 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


Samm Henshaw on his latest album, 'It Could Be Worse'
Samm Henshaw on his latest album, 'It Could Be Worse' episode artwork
05/06/2026

The English musician joins World Cafe to talk about his second 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


Kacey Musgraves is having the time of her life in the 'Middle of Nowhere'
Kacey Musgraves is having the time of her life in the 'Middle of Nowhere' episode artwork
05/01/2026

Following a trip back to her Texas hometown, Musgraves imbued her new album with a traditional country sound, plus features from Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert and more.

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 Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Tune in to a mini-concert with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong episode artwork
04/29/2026

Since their formation almost two decades ago, this Baltimore group has become one of the premier attractions in the jam band world.

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


Beverly and Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland are facing mortality with unadulterated joy
Beverly and Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland are facing mortality with unadulterated joy episode artwork
04/28/2026

Glenn-Copeland and his wife worked together on Laughter in Summer, a record that contends with the electronic music pioneer's recent diagnosis with a major cognitive disorder.

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: Grand Nathaniel
Acadiana Music Showcase: Grand Nathaniel episode artwork
04/23/2026

Grand Nathaniel, a fixture in the Lafayette, La., scene for over 30 years, performs songs from his latest album, Lonely Wanderer.

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


Squeeze closes the loop on songs they first started writing as teens
Squeeze closes the loop on songs they first started writing as teens episode artwork
04/20/2026

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


Jessie Ware dances toward something deeper on 'Superbloom'
Jessie Ware dances toward something deeper on 'Superbloom' episode artwork
04/17/2026

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


How Rage Against the Machine's 'Evil Empire' unified the masses
How Rage Against the Machine's 'Evil Empire' unified the masses episode artwork
04/16/2026

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


Billy Idol has lived to tell his tale
Billy Idol has lived to tell his tale episode artwork
04/10/2026

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


Mariachi music and punk rock have more in common than you might think
Mariachi music and punk rock have more in common than you might think episode artwork
04/08/2026

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


Tune in to a mini-concert with MT Jones
Tune in to a mini-concert with MT Jones episode artwork
04/07/2026

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


Personal Records: Tim Heidecker
Personal Records: Tim Heidecker episode artwork
03/31/2026

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


30 years in, hip-hop duo Atmosphere still has a lot to say
30 years in, hip-hop duo Atmosphere still has a lot to say episode artwork
03/30/2026

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


Watch: On his debut solo LP, Flea fulfills a lifelong promise
Watch: On his debut solo LP, Flea fulfills a lifelong promise episode artwork
03/27/2026

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