Accessibility links
Studio Sessions Musicians perform and discuss their work in the studios of NPR and NPR Music station partners. Live music sessions, interviews, and the best new songs in rock, pop, folk, classical, jazz, blues, urban, and world music. Watch video sessions.

Studio Sessions

The song Rush almost nixed and other tales from Geddy Lee's 'My Effin' Life'

Geddy Lee Richard Sibbald/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Richard Sibbald/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The song Rush almost nixed and other tales from Geddy Lee's 'My Effin' Life'

WXPN

Rush's frontman and bassist shares highlights from his new memoir, My Effin' Life.

Geddy Lee on World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1217004402/1217005135" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
McCarthyism and queerness in 'Fellow Travelers'; plus, IBAM unplugged with Olivia Dean
Kurt Iswarienko/SHOWTIME; Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Review

It's Been a Minute

McCarthyism and queerness in 'Fellow Travelers'; plus, IBAM unplugged with Olivia Dean

This week, Brittany chats with New Yorker television critic Inkoo Kang about Showtime's historical romance, Fellow Travelers. The show follows the lives and love of two closeted men - Hawk and Tim. It starts in 1950s Washington DC, at the height of McCarthyism and the lavender scare and continues through the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. Brittany and Inkoo discuss how the politics of the time shape the characters and how survival isn't always pretty.

McCarthyism and queerness in 'Fellow Travelers'; plus, IBAM unplugged with Olivia Dean

Listen · 49:48
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197954356/1216671481" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Before 'GUTS,' Olivia Rodrigo first had to write a lot of 'bad songs'

Olivia Rodrigo Nick Walker/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Nick Walker/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Before 'GUTS,' Olivia Rodrigo first had to write a lot of 'bad songs'

WXPN

Under pressure to repeat the success of her debut album, Rodrigo leaned heavily on her songwriting skills to create her latest record. Now, GUTS is up for six Grammys, and she's gearing up for another stint as SNL's musical guest later this month.

Olivia Rodrigo on World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1216252716/1216255370" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Ring in the holiday season with the sweet sounds of the Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen Jason Kelce (from left), Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson record Christmas music as The Philly Specials. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Ring in the holiday season with the sweet sounds of the Philadelphia Eagles

WXPN

Philadelphia Eagles' offensive tackle Jordan Mailata and The War on Drugs' Charlie Hall join us to talk about the football team's latest Christmas album.

The Philly Specials on World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1216099525/1216103631" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Brandy Clark & Tommy Prine

Brandy Clark and Tommy Prine Victoria Stevens, Emma Delevante/Courtesy of the artists hide caption

toggle caption Victoria Stevens, Emma Delevante/Courtesy of the artists

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Brandy Clark & Tommy Prine

WXPN

Listen to two great performances from this year's festival in Nashville.

Brandy Clark and Tommy Prine on World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1215557035/1215562824" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
How Dizzy sharpened their songwriting on the band's third record

Dizzy Boy Wonder/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Boy Wonder/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

How Dizzy sharpened their songwriting on the band's third record

WXPN

The Ontario indie pop band talks about their latest, self-titled record.

How Dizzy sharpened their songwriting on the band's third record

Listen · 28:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1214772785/1215665589" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Sunny War & Logan Ledger

Logan Ledger and Sunny War Chris Turpin, Joshua Black Wilkins/Courtesy of the artists hide caption

toggle caption Chris Turpin, Joshua Black Wilkins/Courtesy of the artists

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Sunny War & Logan Ledger

WXPN

Today, we bring you live performances from Logan Ledger and Sunny War.

Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Sunny War & Logan Ledger

Listen · 21:01
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1214443594/1215665593" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Devendra Banhart searches for hope on 'Flying Wig'

Devendra Banhart Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Devendra Banhart searches for hope on 'Flying Wig'

WXPN

The singer-songwriter talks about working with Cate Le Bon on his latest album.

Devendra Banhart searches for hope on 'Flying Wig'

Listen · 25:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1214137142/1215665597" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The sky is the limit for Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon Giddens Ebru Yildiz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Ebru Yildiz/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The sky is the limit for Rhiannon Giddens

WXPN

The musician talks about winning the Pulitzer Prize in Music and her latest album, You're The One.

The sky is the limit for Rhiannon Giddens

Listen · 44:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1213824050/1215665601" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Arkells strip down their sound on 'Laundry Pile'

Arkells Scarlet O'Neill/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Scarlet O'Neill/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Arkells strip down their sound on 'Laundry Pile'

WXPN

The Canadian rock band talk about their latest album, Landry Pile, plus they revisit their favorite sports moments.

Arkells strip down their sound on 'Laundry Pile'

Listen · 30:30
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1213183193/1215665605" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Rosanne Cash's 'The Wheel' celebrates 30 years

Rosanne Cash Pamela Springsteen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Pamela Springsteen/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Rosanne Cash's 'The Wheel' celebrates 30 years

WXPN

World Cafe revisits a session with Cash from 1993, featuring live performances.

Rosanne Cash's 'The Wheel' celebrates 30 years

Listen · 31:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1212896387/1215665609" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Nat Myers & Jess Williamson

Nat Myers and Jess Williamson Jim Herrington, Jackie Lee Young/Courtesy of the artists hide caption

toggle caption Jim Herrington, Jackie Lee Young/Courtesy of the artists

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Nat Myers & Jess Williamson

WXPN

Today, we bring you live performances from blues singer Nat Myers and singer-songwriter Jess Williamson.

Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Nat Myers & Jess Williamson

Listen · 17:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1212882813/1215665613" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Tune in to a mini-concert with Lowland Hum

Lowland Hum Tristan Williams/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Tristan Williams/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Tune in to a mini-concert with Lowland Hum

WXPN

The duo from Charlottesville, Va., perform songs from their new album, From Self, With Love.

Tune in to a mini-concert with Lowland Hum

Listen · 15:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1211507245/1215665617" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
For The Chemical Brothers, joy can be a tricky emotion to get right

The Chemical Brothers Hamish Brown/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Hamish Brown/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

For The Chemical Brothers, joy can be a tricky emotion to get right

WXPN

Tom Rowlands of the English electronic music duo joins us to talk about For That Beautiful Feeling and his 30+ year partnership with Ed Simons.

For The Chemical Brothers, joy can be a tricky emotion to get right

Listen · 25:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1211186806/1215665621" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Kevin Drew contemplates the inevitability of 'Aging'

Kevin Drew Richard Briant/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Richard Briant/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Kevin Drew contemplates the inevitability of 'Aging'

WXPN

Kevin Drew, a member of the Broken Social Scene, talks about his new solo album, Aging.

Kevin Drew contemplates the inevitability of 'Aging'

Listen · 42:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1210851545/1215665625" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy on the songs that changed his life

Wilco Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Wilco's Jeff Tweedy on the songs that changed his life

WXPN

Tweedy's new book is World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life, and Life that Changed my Music.

Wilco's Jeff Tweedy on the songs that changed his life

Becca Mancari explores the different facets of forgiveness on 'Left Hand'

Becca Mancari Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Becca Mancari explores the different facets of forgiveness on 'Left Hand'

WXPN

The Nashville-based folk musician talks about how her relationship with her conservative Christian family inspired some of the songwriting on their new album.

Becca Mancari explores the different facets of forgiveness on 'Left Hand'

Mighty Poplar shines a light on 'real deal' bluegrass

Mighty Poplar at Sid the Cat in Los Angeles on May 18, 2023 Jay Blakesberg/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Jay Blakesberg/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Mighty Poplar shines a light on 'real deal' bluegrass

WXPN

The supergroup's self-titled debut album was a chance for five of the world's best bluegrass players to honor the genre's traditional sound.

Mighty Poplar shines a light on 'real deal' bluegrass

Why Radiohead's Philip Selway put down the drumsticks on his latest album

Philip Selway Phil Sharp/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Phil Sharp/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Why Radiohead's Philip Selway put down the drumsticks on his latest album

WXPN

The English musician talks about recording his new solo record, Strange Dream.

Why Radiohead's Philip Selway put down the drumsticks on his latest album

Listen · 48:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198908646/1215665629" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Turnpike Troubadours return with 'A Cat in the Rain'

Turnpike Troubadours David McClister/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption David McClister/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Turnpike Troubadours return with 'A Cat in the Rain'

Recorded in Muscle Shoals, Ala., the country rock band's new album is a triumphant comeback.

Turnpike Troubadours on World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1208753617/1208758121" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Jonathan Wilson goes against the grain on 'Eat The Worm'

Jonathan Wilson Andrea Nakhla/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Andrea Nakhla/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Jonathan Wilson goes against the grain on 'Eat The Worm'

WXPN

Musician and producer Jonathan Wilson talks about his latest album, Eat The Worm, as well as his take on the use of AI in both audio and visual art.

Jonathan Wilson on World Cafe

Courtney Barnett pares down her sound on 'End Of The Day'

Courtney Barnett Pooneh Ghana/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption Pooneh Ghana/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Courtney Barnett pares down her sound on 'End Of The Day'

WXPN

The Australian musician talks about her new instrumental record, End Of The Day, and scoring a documentary about her own career, called Anonymous Club.

Courtney Barnett pares down her sound on 'End Of The Day'

Listen · 19:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198908523/1215665633" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Browse archive or search npr.org