John Myers : NPR

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Friday July 22, 2022

For Kurt Vile, 'settling down' doesn't necessarily mean 'staying still'

Kurt Vile performs live at at WXPN Free At Noon Concert Paige Walter/WXPN hide caption

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Paige Walter/WXPN

World Cafe

For Kurt Vile, 'settling down' doesn't necessarily mean 'staying still'

WXPN

July 22, 2022 • The Philly rocker's latest album is titled (watch my moves) and he joins me to talk about the moves he's been making, who he's been working with and lots more.

Kurt Vile on World Cafe

39:30

Wednesday June 8, 2022

For Fontaines D.C., a move to London reaffirmed the band's Irish identity

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Paige Walter/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

For Fontaines D.C., a move to London reaffirmed the band's Irish identity

WXPN

June 8, 2022 • A major change for the band taken during the pandemic showed the group's willingness to make concessions to their aspirations.

Fontaines D.C. on World Cafe

25:05

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Wednesday June 1, 2022

Arooj Aftab's life is in a bit of a whirlwind

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Blythe Thomas/Courtest of the artist

World Cafe

Arooj Aftab's life is in a bit of a whirlwind

WXPN

June 1, 2022 • Aftab is the first Pakistani woman not only to win a Grammy, but to even be nominated for one. Hear about her life and how music brought her to America in this episode of World Cafe.

Arooj Aftab on World Cafe

22:22

Monday May 23, 2022

The Dip pulls from soul, R&B, pop and rock to make a sound that's all its own

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Paige Walter/WXPN

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Dip pulls from soul, R&B, pop and rock to make a sound that's all its own

WXPN

May 23, 2022 • In this session of World Cafe, The Dip talks about its journey from playing house parties to having a million Spotify listeners a month.

The Dip on World Cafe

26:28

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Friday May 13, 2022

alt-J has always had a knack for making the unconventional sound appealing

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Galea McGregor/WXPN

World Cafe

alt-J has always had a knack for making the unconventional sound appealing

WXPN

May 13, 2022 • A well-deserved break — and building their own studio — was the spark the group needed to make 'The Dream,' their most adventurous album yet.

alt-J on World Cafe

28:10

Tuesday May 10, 2022

Beach House's latest album embraces maximalism in both size and sound

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David Belisle/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Beach House's latest album embraces maximalism in both size and sound

WXPN

May 10, 2022 • Once Twice Melody was released in four chapters over the course of several months and embraces maximalism in both size and sound.

Beach House on World Cafe

16:34

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Thursday May 5, 2022

PUP stays honest and true to their roots in 'The Unraveling of PupTheBand'

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Vanessa Heins/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

PUP stays honest and true to their roots in 'The Unraveling of PupTheBand'

WXPN

May 5, 2022 • PUP is an acronym for Pathetic Use of Potential ... which has proven to be untrue as they've seen a lot of success over the last decade.

PUP on World Cafe

32:49

Tuesday April 19, 2022

In 'Far In,' Helado Negro speaks to the longing to find solace inside ourselves

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Nathan Bajar/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

In 'Far In,' Helado Negro speaks to the longing to find solace inside ourselves

WXPN

April 19, 2022 • Roberto Carlos Lange, who performs as Helado Negro, lived in Brooklyn until a 2-week trip to Texas to work on an art installation turned into a 6-month stay that led to Far In.

Helado Negro on World Cafe

28:27

Tuesday April 12, 2022

In 'Prospect,' AHI lives like someone before his time is counting on him

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Caitlin Cronenberg/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

In 'Prospect,' AHI lives like someone before his time is counting on him

WXPN

April 12, 2022 • AHI's third album, Prospect, is informed by the past but paving the present road toward the future.

AHI on World Cafe

26:18

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Tuesday April 5, 2022

Buffalo Nichols honed his craft playing in all sorts of bands, from punk to americana

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Dustin Cohen/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Buffalo Nichols honed his craft playing in all sorts of bands, from punk to americana

WXPN

April 5, 2022 • The last few years, Buffalo Nichols' heart led him back to the blues, in the process releasing one of the beat blues albums in recent memory.

Buffalo Nichols on World Cafe

30:02

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Friday April 1, 2022

In their latest album, Parquet Courts remain hard to define

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Pooneh Ghana/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

In their latest album, Parquet Courts remain hard to define

WXPN

April 1, 2022 • In Parquet Court's latest album, Sympathy For Life, The band brings in more synths, keyboards and dance than ever before.

Parquet Courts on World Cafe

26:06

Monday March 28, 2022

Lawrence Rothman drops two deeply personal records

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Mary Rozzi/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Lawrence Rothman drops two deeply personal records

WXPN

March 28, 2022 • The first release, Good Morning, America, features appearances from Lucinda Williams, Katie Pruitt, Mary Lattimore and Amanda Shires.

Lawrence Rothman on World Cafe

27:37

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Friday March 25, 2022

Stevie Van Zandt reflects on his career's highlights in 'Unrequited Infatuations'

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Kirsti Hovde/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Stevie Van Zandt reflects on his career's highlights in 'Unrequited Infatuations'

WXPN

March 25, 2022 • The memoir spans his time with Bruce Springsteen, his diverse and underrated solo career, and of course his work on The Sopranos as Sylvio Dante.

Stevie Van Zandt on World Cafe

27:56

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Tuesday March 22, 2022

ÌFÉ explores the distance between the seen and the unseen worlds

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Trenity Thomas/Courtesy of the artst

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

ÌFÉ explores the distance between the seen and the unseen worlds

WXPN

March 22, 2022 • As Otura Mun's connections to Afro-Cuban rhythms have deepened, so has his commitment to Afro-Cuban spiritual traditions. Hear a live performance.

Courtesy of the artist

31:58

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Friday March 18, 2022

Billy Strings is on a long, strange trip

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Jesse Faatz/Courtesy of the artist

Music

Billy Strings is on a long, strange trip

WXPN

March 18, 2022 • The virtuoso blends his blistering brand of bluegrass with forays into psychedelia and jam band territory.

Billy Stings on World Cafe

37:27

Friday March 11, 2022

Rüfüs du Sol used the big pause to learn some self-care, record new album 'Surrender'

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Eliot Lee Hazel/Courtey of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Rüfüs du Sol used the big pause to learn some self-care, record new album 'Surrender'

WXPN

March 11, 2022 • After years of touring, the trio realized that they'd developed some bad habits — COVID presented the band a much-needed opportunity to hit pause.

Rufus du Sol on World Cafe

31:22

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Monday March 7, 2022

Tears For Fears share a unique bond, heard on their new album 'The Tipping Point'

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Frank Ockenfels/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Tears For Fears share a unique bond, heard on their new album 'The Tipping Point'

WXPN

March 7, 2022 • In this session, Roland and Curt join us for a conversation about making a new record 17 years after the last, as well as their past, their present and the future of Tears for Fears.

Tears For Fears on World Cafe

17:12

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Thursday March 3, 2022

Anaïs Mitchell returns to her roots on a new self-titled album

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Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Anaïs Mitchell returns to her roots on a new self-titled album

WXPN

March 3, 2022 • It's a confessional, intimate album a world away from Midtown Manhattan.

Anais Mitchell on World Cafe

38:16

Tuesday March 1, 2022

Geese outside the World Cafe Performance studio at WXPN in Philadelphia, PA. Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

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Galea McGregor/WXPN

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Geese prefers instruments to Mario Kart

WXPN

March 1, 2022 • Realizing they were spending more time playing instruments than Mario Kart they formed a band and, by the time they graduated high school, Geese had hit its stride.

Geese on World Cafe

31:11

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Friday February 25, 2022

Amos Lee wants to remind us that there is a path to mental wellness

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Amos Lee wants to remind us that there is a path to mental wellness

WXPN

February 25, 2022 • Lee acknowledges how hard it can be to live with anxiety and talks about how he was finding ways to heal.

Amos Lee on World Cafe

30:08

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