World Cafe WXPN in Philadelphia and host Talia Schlanger present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

World Cafe

Essential and Emerging Artists

archive
subscribe

featured

John Prine.Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artisthide caption

toggle captionDanny Clinch/Courtesy of the artist

John Prine On World Cafe

Shannon Shaw's "Broke My Own" is featured on this month's <em>Heavy Rotation</em> playlist.Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artisthide caption

toggle captionAlysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

Courtney Barnett performs live at Non-COMM 2018 in Philadelphia, recorded live for this session.Ashley Gellman/WXPNhide caption

toggle captionAshley Gellman/WXPN

Courtney Barnett On World Cafe WXPN-FM

Welles and his band inside the World Cafe Performance Studio. Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Galea McGregor/WXPN

XPN

by Stephen Kallao

June 15, 2018 • Jeh-Sea Welles has the look, the voice, the licks, the hooks and the attitude of a real rock star.

Welles on World Cafe

26:13

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/619242146/619682763" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Natalie Prass inside the World Cafe Performance Studio. John Evin Groome/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

John Evin Groome/WXPN

XPN

by Talia Schlanger

June 14, 2018 • Rather than taking on an acid tongue, Prass digs into the sweeter possibilities — that tough times can make people stick together, stand up and be counted and even dance.

Natalie Prass On World Cafe

32:56

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/619236915/619681990" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Peter Hook Steven Baker/Courtesy of teh artist hide caption

toggle caption

Steven Baker/Courtesy of teh artist

XPN

by Stephen Kallao

June 13, 2018 • Few musicians have more of a signature sound or personality than Hook. Hear a live performance and interview with the post-punk pioneer.

Peter Hook On World Cafe

40:46

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/619219351/619260707" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Willie Nelson sings about outliving friends, surviving death hoaxes and more on his latest album, Last Man Standing. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

XPN

by Talia Schlanger

June 12, 2018 • With a career spanning more than five decades, Nelson is an American treasure. Over a cup of coffee, the 85-year-old talks about outliving old friends, practicing martial arts and life on a tour bus.

Willie Nelson On World Cafe

28:09

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/618912037/619160746" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Rayland Baxter Realizes His 'Strange American Dream'

Rayland Baxter Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

Rayland Baxter Realizes His 'Strange American Dream'

XPN

by Bruce Warren

June 12, 2018 • A song written around the time of the 2016 election captures Baxter's mindset; somewhere between a sense of childlike wonder and disbelief at the good and evil of the country.

'Just Around The Corner': Hozier Shares Details Of His Upcoming Record

Hozier Jokko/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

Jokko/Courtesy of the artist

'Just Around The Corner': Hozier Shares Details Of His Upcoming Record

XPN

by Talia Schlanger

June 11, 2018 • The Irish singer-songwriter talks about the follow-up to his 2014 self-titled debut and shares lyrics from a forthcoming single.

Hozier Interview On World Cafe

8:42

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/618246972/618321481" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Watch The Fairfield Four & The Campbell Brothers Perform Live

Fairfield Four & The Campbell Brothers perform live on Saturday, June 9, 2018. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

toggle caption

Courtesy of the artists

Watch The Fairfield Four & The Campbell Brothers Perform Live

XPN

by Bruce Warren

June 9, 2018 • Enjoy a Gospel Roots Of Rock And Soul concert with a rich variety of material from the African American Holiness-Pentecostal repertoire.

Remembering Anthony Bourdain's Love For Music

Chef Anthony Bourdain speaks at New York Society for Ethical Culture in Oct. 2017. Bourdain died at age 61 on June 8. Craig Barritt/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Craig Barritt/Getty Images

Remembering Anthony Bourdain's Love For Music

XPN

by David Dye

June 8, 2018 • Hear the master chef and truth-telling enthusiast talk about the music he holds close during this 2007 interview.

Anthony Bourdain On World Cafe

10:24

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/618306678/618328454" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

The Wonder Years Lets Go Of The Past In A Cathartic Performance Of 'Pyramids Of Salt'

The Wonder Years inside WXPN's Performance Studio in Philadelphia, PA. Ashley Gellman/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Ashley Gellman/WXPN

The Wonder Years Lets Go Of The Past In A Cathartic Performance Of 'Pyramids Of Salt'

XPN

by John Vettese

June 8, 2018 • Watch the Philadelphia six-piece perform inside WXPN Studios during a Key Studio Session.

Robert Finley performing live for this session. Dylan Eddinger/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Dylan Eddinger/WXPN

XPN

by Stephen Kallao

June 8, 2018 • He's loved music and performing his whole life. Now, he has finally released his debut album in his early 60s.

Robert Finley On World Cafe

23:43

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/617980555/618245090" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Courtney Barnett performs live at Non-COMM 2018 in Philadelphia, recorded live for this session. Ashley Gellman/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Ashley Gellman/WXPN

Courtney Barnett On World Cafe

XPN

by Talia Schlanger

June 6, 2018 • The Australian artist's latest album Tell Me How You Really Feel is marvelous for many reasons. Barnett discusses writing about doubt while exuding total ease and artistic certainty.

Courtney Barnett On World Cafe

29:04

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/617482001/617493767" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

R.LUM.R Nolan Knight/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

Nolan Knight/Courtesy of the artist

XPN

by Ann Powers

June 5, 2018 • His voice and style align him more with rising R&B crooners than with country hunks, but R.LUM.R is part of a Tennessee pop scene pairing classic song craftsmanship with innovative production.

World Cafe Nashville: R.LUM.R

29:25

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/617181038/617210708" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

"There is an element to what I do sometimes where I capture something that I have trouble recreating or beating," Herzig says. "So a lot of times I get stuck with the demo, like, the first time I sang it." Butterfly Boucher/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

Butterfly Boucher/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Nashville Sessions

World Cafe Nashville: Katie Herzig

XPN

by Jewly Hight

June 5, 2018 • Herzig's trajectory probably doesn't much resemble what you'd expect a professional Nashville songwriter's career to look like. That seems to suit her just fine.

John Prine. Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

John Prine On World Cafe

by Talia Schlanger

June 1, 2018 • You don't have to have heard John Prine's music before to feel instantly connected to him. His songs are an invitation to come along.

John Prine On World Cafe

50:54

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/616122495/616174623" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Charley Crockett (center) and band inside the World Cafe Performance Studio. Ashley Gellman/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Ashley Gellman/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Charley Crockett On World Cafe

XPN

by Talia Schlanger

June 1, 2018 • Though he's had some ups and downs, Crockett has come out on the other side with a cowboy hat, some amazing songs and a hard-earned version of optimism that's nothing short of inspiring.

Charley Crockett On World Cafe

37:32

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/616079358/616082855" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Middle Kids inside the World Cafe Performance Studio. Rich McKie/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Rich McKie/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Middle Kids On World Cafe

XPN

by Stephen Kallao

May 31, 2018 • The trio is making waves, joining the likes of Tame Impala, Wolfmother and Courtney Barnett as top Australian rockers breaking big stateside.

Middle Kids On World Cafe

20:19

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/615783658/615799503" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Belly performing live at NON-COMMvention 2018 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. Dylan Eddinger/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Dylan Eddinger/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Belly On World Cafe

XPN

by Talia Schlanger

May 30, 2018 • Members of the beloved 90's rock band discuss getting the party started again after 25 years since its debut album.

Belly On World Cafe

36:38

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/615184851/615528694" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

Shannon Shaw's "Broke My Own" is featured on this month's Heavy Rotation playlist. Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

May 26, 2018 • This month's playlist includes the eclectic meditations of Shannon Shaw and the nostalgic melodies of Coach Phillips.

Dr. Dog performing live at WXPN's Free At Midnight concert on May 5th, 2018 John Vettese/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

John Vettese/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Dr. Dog On World Cafe

XPN

by Talia Schlanger

May 25, 2018 • Hear how Scott McMicken's "F*** Dr. Dog" statement led to the band's latest album, Critical Equation.

Dr. Dog On World Cafe

39:10

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/614119294/614391450" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Donovan Woods with his band inside the World Cafe Performance Studio after recording this session. Galea McGregor/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Galea McGregor/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Donovan Woods On World Cafe

XPN

by Talia Schlanger

May 24, 2018 • Woods found success in Nashville co-writing for artists including Tim McGraw and Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum. It was all just par for the course given his remarkable artistry.

Donovan Woods On World Cafe

38:58

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/614011119/614163589" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Soccer Mommy inside the World Cafe Performance Studio. Ashley Gellman/WXPN hide caption

toggle caption

Ashley Gellman/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Soccer Mommy On World Cafe

XPN

by Stephen Kallao

May 23, 2018 • Leaving NYU and signing to Fat Possum Records, Sophie Allison details her tough decision to drop everything in pursuit of her music career.

Soccer Mommy On World Cafe

22:53

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/613635624/613643193" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Ashley Campbell. Sean M. Flynn/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

Sean M. Flynn/Courtesy of the artist

Nashville Sessions

World Cafe Nashville: Ashley Campbell

XPN

by Ann Powers

May 21, 2018 • She may be the youngest daughter of the late Glen Campbell, but this singer shines all on her own. Campbell's voice comes along with a sly wink and salty humor.

World Cafe Nashville: Ashley Campbell

32:18

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/612978750/612986627" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Browse the section archive or