World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Follow World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

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

NPR

Donate to World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN


    • Aug 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 699 EPISODES

    4.2 from 330 ratings 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.


    Ivy Insights

    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.



    More podcasts from NPR

    Up First
    Up First

    daily

    Hidden Brain
    Hidden Brain

    weekly

    Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
    Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

    weekly

    Fresh Air
    Fresh Air

    weekdays

    Planet Money
    Planet Money

    weekdays

    The NPR Politics Podcast
    The NPR Politics Podcast

    weekdays

    Invisibilia
    Invisibilia

    monthly

    TED Radio Hour
    TED Radio Hour

    weekly

    The Best of Car Talk
    The Best of Car Talk

    weekdays

    Search for episodes from World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

    British funk band Cymande are finally getting their flowers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 17:12


    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

    british band flowers funk de la soul fugees cymande
    Living Colour's 'Time's Up' was a reclamation of rock music's Black roots

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 12:36


    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

    american rock music reclamation john morrison living colour world cafe black roots
    Natalie Bergman is looking at the world for the first time

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 33:19


    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

    this world my home natalie bergman
    The sound of ‘cosmic country,' according to its architect, Daniel Donato

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 41:12


    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

    sound architects daniel donato cosmic country
    After a breakout year, Self Esteem is learning that confidence isn't a given

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 38:18


    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

    learning confidence self esteem breakout year world cafe rebecca lucy taylor
    Where can bluegrass go next? Molly Tuttle has an idea

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025 35:59


    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

    idea bluegrass ringo starr old crow medicine show molly tuttle ketch secor
    World Cafe: TOKiMONSTA

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 23:29


    The Grammy-nominated producer and DJ talks about how her latest album, Eternal Reverie, became a tribute to her best friend and tour manager, who died of cancer in 2024.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    dj grammy tokimonsta world cafe
    World Cafe: Personal Trainer Mini-Concert

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 21:57


    Amsterdam-based band Personal Trainer perform songs from their latest album, Still Willing, live in an exclusive mini-concert for World Cafe.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    amsterdam concerts personal trainers world cafe
    After a stormy album cycle, The Black Keys bounce right back with a new LP

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2025 28:59


    The Black Keys made headlines in 2024 when they cancelled their tour. Then they split with their management. But instead of taking a break, the duo recorded their latest album, No Rain, No Flowers.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    cycle bounce black keys right back no rain no flowers
    Hamilton Leithauser on his latest album, 'This Side of the Island'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 24:26


    On the next World Cafe, Hamilton Leithauser joins us from his Brooklyn studio to discuss his latest solo album, This Side of the Island. He reflects on working with Aaron Dessner of The National and his longtime friendship with the late musician Richard Swift.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    national island aaron dessner world cafe hamilton leithauser richard swift
    'Forever Howlong' is a new frontier for Black Country, New Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 20:26


    After the departure of frontman Isaac Wood, the English rock band reconfigured and uncovered exciting new sounds in the process.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    english new frontiers black country new road
    Mereba on her latest album, 'The Breeze Grew a Fire'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 23:16


    From Addis Ababa and Atlanta to Los Angeles, Mereba's sophomore album is a love letter to the past and the present.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    los angeles grew breeze mereba
    How a Nina Simone cover helped Lady Blackbird take flight

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 30:22


    The musician joins us to talk about her latest album, Slang Spirituals.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    helped nina simone take flight lady blackbird
    The Culture Corner: 25 years ago, Jill Scott introduced herself to the world

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025 12:27


    World Cafe correspondent John Morrison joins us to explain the legacy of Scott's debut album, Who Is Jill Scott?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    years ago jill scott john morrison world cafe culture corner
    How Nigerian British pop star Obongjayar found his voice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 29:44


    The musician joins us to talk about his new album, Paradise Now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    voice nigerians british pop paradise now
    Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 2:01


    Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    american congress act eliminate voted government funding public media
    Duckwrth released his latest project with help from a bold alter ego

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 23:55


    The rapper and producer talks about his latest album, All American F*ckboy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    project released alter ego duckwrth
    Lucius create a world all their own on their latest record

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 40:27


    Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius join us to talk about their fifth, self-titled album, plus they perform live.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    record lucius jess wolfe holly laessig
    Tune in to a mini-concert with Southern Avenue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 17:51


    The Memphis band performs songs from their new album, Family.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    family concerts southern avenue
    60 years in, folk legend Jim Kweskin is still a faithful student of his craft

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 21:31


    A central figure in the folk revival of the '60s, Kweskin has a brand new album out called Doing Things Right.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    student faithful craft folk jim kweskin
    Two of New Orleans' heavy-hitters unite on 'Audience With the Queen'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 18:57


    Funk band Galactic teams up with Irma Thomas, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," for a new record of original material.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    new orleans funk unite galactic heavy hitters irma thomas
    Tune in to a mini-concert with Ichiko Aoba

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2025 16:43


    The Japanese singer-songwriter traveled captured field recordings for her latest album, Luminescent Creatures.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    japanese concerts aoba
    Sense of Place: Italian singer-songwriter Ariete has her sights set on stardom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 40:57


    After a spot on the Italian version of The X Factor didn't help her as much as she'd hoped, the singer-songwriter took matters into her own hands.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    italian sense singer songwriters x factor stardom sights ariete
    Sense of Place: Finger-style guitar is king at this Tuscan music venue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2025 18:52


    Six Bars Jail, a small club located just outside of Florence, Italy, was founded in 2006.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    italy style sense finger guitar tuscan music venues
    Sense of Place: Black Snake Moan is inspired by his ancient Italian home

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 34:01


    Marco Contestabile makes psychedelic blues music influenced by Tarquinia, where he grew up.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    italian sense ancient black snake moan
    Sense of Place: Step inside the Roman studio where Ennio Morricone made magic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025 10:30


    Some of the Italian composer's most memorable film scores were recorded at Forum Studios in Rome's Parioli neighborhood.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    magic italian rome sense ennio morricone parioli
    Sense of Place: Ludovico Einaudi is one of the most streamed composers of all time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025 24:09


    The Italian pianist and composer returns to his childhood in Turin on his latest album, The Summer Portraits.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    italian sense turin composers streamed ludovico einaudi
    Sense of Place: Born in Rome, Laila Al Habash had to leave to find her voice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 34:39


    The Milan-based musician draws on both her mother's Italian side of the family and her father's Palestinian heritage.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    voice italian rome sense palestinians
    Sense of Place: This psych-rock band is fostering an indie rock scene in Rome

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 29:54


    Weird Bloom's music is psychedelic and catchy, and it kind of sounds like T. rex.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    rome sense fostering rock band indie rock psych rock rock scene
    Sense of Place: This Roman record label works to preserve 'B movie' scores

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 11:32


    Four Flies Records founder Pier de Sanctis explains what makes these increasingly rare soundtracks so special.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    movies sense scores preserve record labels sanctis
    How a copyright strike helped d4vd go supernova in the pop world

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 30:11


    Following a string of viral hits, the 20-year-old musician hones his sound on his debut album, Withered.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    helped supernovas withered copyright strikes
    The Culture Corner: 40 years ago, Boyz II Men flipped the script on R&B

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 17:28


    In his new book, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison digs into how the Philadelphia group updated the old-school R&B vocal group archetype for the hip-hop generation.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    philadelphia script years ago flipped boyz ii men john morrison world cafe culture corner
    Tune in to a mini-concert with Miya Folick

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 18:01


    The Los Angeles-based musician performs songs from her latest album, Erotica Veronica.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    los angeles concerts miya folick
    Gigi Perez sails past her viral moment on her debut album

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 41:55


    The singer-songwriter went viral in 2024 with her queer ballad, "Sailor Song." Her debut album, At The Beach, In Every Life, builds a world beyond her hit.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    viral perez sails debut albums at the beach
    Let Uwade take you on a walk through the flowers of her mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 38:36


    The North Carolina singer-songwriter joins us to talk about her debut album, Florilegium.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    walk north carolina flowers florilegium
    Patterson Hood mined strange childhood memories for his latest solo record

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 33:15


    The Drive-By Truckers co-founder talks about his latest solo album, Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    solo record strange childhood memories drive by truckers mined patterson hood
    Grief strengthened Ben Kweller's song on his first album since his son's death

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 37:40


    The Texas singer-songwriter reflects on reconnecting with his musical spirit after losing his teenage son.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    death texas song grief strengthened first album ben kweller
    For The Weather Station, there's power in our shared humanity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 36:37


    Musician and climate activist Tamara Lindeman talks about the Canadian folk band's latest record, Humanhood.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    canadian humanity musician shared weather station tamara lindeman humanhood
    How Hannah Cohen found a muse in the Catskill Mountains

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 34:05


    The singer-songwriter talks about her latest record, Earthstar Mountain.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    muse catskills catskill mountains
    Acadiana Music Showcase: Feufollet

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 12:20


    Led by the late Christopher Stafford, this Cajun band became a staple of the Lafayette music scene.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    led lafayette cajun acadiana music showcase feufollet
    The Culture Corner: The record that made Tricky a legend

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 16:23


    World Cafe correspondent John Morrison digs into the U.K. artist's Angels With Dirty Faces.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    record tricky john morrison world cafe culture corner angels with dirty faces
    To make their country record, Julien Baker and Torres had to lean on each other

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 30:33


    Both raised in the South, the duo tapped into a familiar sound for Send a Prayer My Way.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    south record torres julien baker

    Claim World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel