WXPN's live performance and interview program featuring music and conversation from a variety of important musicians
Donate to World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN
Listeners of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN that love the show mention: live performances, delicate, music podcast, npr, great music, songs, otherwise, interviews, full, show, favorite, awesome, thanks, like, love, world cafe.
The World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN podcast is an absolute gem for music lovers. Hosted by talented interviewers, the show offers listeners a unique view into the world of music and musicians. With each new episode, I find myself eagerly looking forward to discovering new artists that I can now follow and explore further. The hosts are exceptional interviewers, delving deep into the creative process of their guests and providing insightful conversations that give listeners a deeper understanding of the music.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the diversity of guests that are featured. From well-known musicians like Sting, John Mayer, and Steve Jones to up-and-coming artists like Waxahatchee, there is always something for everyone. The interviews are informative and introspective, offering a different perspective on these artists that you won't find elsewhere. Additionally, the live performances included in each episode are a real treat. They showcase the talent and artistry of the musicians in a unique way that adds another layer to the listening experience.
However, one minor drawback of this podcast is the frequency with which one of the hosts identifies herself throughout each interview. While it's not a major issue, it can be slightly annoying and disrupts the flow of conversation at times. It would be better if she took a step back and allowed the focus to remain on the artist being interviewed.
In conclusion, The World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN podcast is an awesome resource for any music lover. It provides a wealth of knowledge about various artists and genres while also offering unique live performances that showcase incredible talent. Despite a minor annoyance with host identification, this podcast remains highly recommended for its engaging interviews and diverse range of guests.

The making of Tweedy's massive triple album was a family affair, with his sons providing percussion, vocals and synthesizer work to the record.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Canadian indie rock musician performs music from her latest album, I Went to Find You.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Kentucky-born musician's latest album, Planting by the Signs, ruminates on the Appalachian traditions she grew up with.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Plant's band, Saving Grace, and singer Suzi Dian helped the rock legend access the "backwoods" of his musical inspiration.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The English percussionist is best known for his work with The Smile and Sons of Kemet, but Skinner refines his own voice on his latest solo album.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Australian musician performs a set recorded at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The mid-'80s were loud and bombastic. World Cafe correspondent John Morrison says that's exactly why the smooth R&B of Sade stood out.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Frontman Jim James, of My Morning Jacket, joins World Cafe for a new installment of Backtracking.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

He made a splash on The Voice, but Gaspard has been a longtime part of Louisiana's Cajun and swamp pop music scene.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The drummer and jazz bandleader turns his seventh album into a party, including Snarky Puppy's Michael League, guitarist Charlie Hunter and singer Lalah Hathaway.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Scottish-American rock star teams up with New York's Ghost Train Orchestra.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The country singer's record has been nominated for a Grammy Award for best traditional country album.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Michigan musician performs a set recorded at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Toronto punk band pared down their creative process with help from producer John Congleton.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On Nobody's Girl, the singer-songwriter offers her perspective on her high-profile split from Jason Isbell.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Listen to the English songwriter and guitarist perform at the 2025Â XPoNential Music Festival.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The British rock band talks about life on the road and making their third album in Norway.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The four piece treats you to group harmonies and a fuller sound on their new album, Lovesick.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The indie folk band enlisted Lin-Manuel Miranda to tell the story of a shipwrecked crew on Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Canadian comic and actor joins World Cafe to talk about their debut album, I'm A TV.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The singer-songwriter decamped to Aaron Dessner's Long Pond Studio in upstate New York to record her new album, Returning to Myself.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The blues musician from Clarksdale, Miss., also talks about his new record label and searching for the next generation of blues talent.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On their fourth album, the American rock band refined their innovative sound, which had long been inspired by Black music traditions.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Zydeco veteran Jeffery Broussard teamed up with members of the New Orleans TBC Brass Band and a swing band's rhythm section for Bayou Moonlight, a blend of zydeco, R&B and blues.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Historian Dorothy Williams explains why Montreal became a center for jazz music.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Juno Award-winning Inuit musician, based in Montreal, imbued her favorite childhood songs with new meaning on her covers project, Inuktitut.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Expert guide Ruby Roy has given countless tours of the city for Cohen's fans.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Kwenders is the co-founder of Moonshine, a Montreal-based collective that spotlights the culture and music of the African diaspora.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Howard Bilerman went from taping punk shows as a teen to co-founding Hotel2Tango, one of Montreal's most iconic recording studios.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jasamine White-Gluz takes us back to the early aughts, when the city was experiencing a boom of DIY music.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Grammy Award-winning musician is used to playing for big crowds, but there was one person whose opinion mattered more than anyone else's: her eldest daughter.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Days before Bad Bunny's Super Bowl announcement, World Cafe spoke to Alt.Latino hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras about his 31-date residency in Puerto Rico.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The jazz musician reimagines hip-hop classics by The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan and more.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Swedish musician branches out into jazz and soul on her debut solo album.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel, of the legendary rock band, talk about their long-awaited reunion, plus what they really think about Paul McCartney.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The British record producer talks about releasing his first non-collaborative album in 12 years, plus Sherwood looks back on the U.K.'s electrifying dub scene.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

World Cafe correspondent John Morrison revisits the rock band's chart-topping sophomore album from 1970.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Lead vocalist and songwriter Liz Stokes took pointers from Stephen King's On Writing to get the New Zealand band's creative energy flowing.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The British rock band talks about their latest album, More.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The folk duo's new album is about lowering your defenses in a post-pandemic world.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

What started as a three-hour concert in 1974 has grown into three-day event celebrating Southern Louisiana's music and culture.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Lord Huron frontman Ben Schneider talks about the band's latest album, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1. Plus, the band performs live.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy