World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

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

Episodes

January 9, 2026 35 mins
The singer-songwriter joins World Cafe for a new installment of Backtracking, where musicians revisit songs from their back catalog that have shaped their careers.

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The 7-piece Boston outfit performs live in the World Cafe studio.

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Listen to Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory perform at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.

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Kirby Lauryen Dockery has written for stars like Rihanna and Beyoncé, but her latest album centers her own creative legacy.

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Frontman Chino Moreno says the alternative rock band has defied expectations at every turn. Their Grammy-nominated 10th studio album is no different.

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December 25, 2025 35 mins
The Americana band join us to talk about their first-ever holiday album, OCMS Xmas.

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The Hawaiian ukulele marvel is joined by Yo-Yo Ma and Michael McDonald on his new holiday album, Tis The Season.

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December 23, 2025 18 mins
The Australian synth-pop band decamped to scenic Byron Bay to record their latest album.

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The Canadian singer-songwriter talks about working with Jason Isbell, plus Edwards performs songs from Billionaire live.

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The English pop band says their latest album will be their last.

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The Louisiana musicians team up for a set that includes a Haitian folk classic.

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The American funk band, led by George Clinton, made more than just music — they had a revolutionary vision including stage performance, art and more.

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The making of Tweedy's massive triple album was a family affair, with his sons providing percussion, vocals and synthesizer work to the record.

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December 10, 2025 15 mins
The Canadian indie rock musician performs music from her latest album, I Went to Find You.

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The Kentucky-born musician's latest album, Planting by the Signs, ruminates on the Appalachian traditions she grew up with.

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Plant's band, Saving Grace, and singer Suzi Dian helped the rock legend access the "backwoods" of his musical inspiration.

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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.

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The Australian musician performs a set recorded at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.

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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.

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Frontman Jim James, of My Morning Jacket, joins World Cafe for a new installment of Backtracking.

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