World Cafe

Weathervanes is the name of Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit’s 2023 album, and it is a record of powerful songs about everyday people. On the next World Cafe, Jason Isbell talks about what draws him to write about people that others may judge, and how the more difficult the topic, the more he personalizes the song. Plus, Jason performs live recordings of songs from Weathervanes.

Every artist’s discography tells a story. On a new episode of Backtracking, David Gray looks back at his entire catalogue and tells stories about songs that have played a special role in his life and career, such as the one he wrote at a difficult time, the one that took him the longest to write, the one he has a complicated relationship with, and more. That’s on the next World Cafe.

Jessica Dobson of the band Deep Sea Diver was working on her latest album when she didn’t like what she was hearing…and decided to start over. The indie-rock singer-songwriter, who’s played guitar for Beck and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, talks about letting go of her inner critic and getting back to her “kid self.” Deep Sea Diver performs songs from her new album, Billboard Heart, on the next World Cafe.

What Now, the title of Brittany Howard’s latest album, is not just a rhetorical question about the uncertain state of the world. It’s also a nod to the wildly diverse – and often unexpected – sonic turns Howard took on her sophomore solo effort. On the next World Cafe, Howard talks about experimenting with unconventional tools with producer Shawn Everett, everything from PVC pipes and garbage bags to crystal singing bowls.

Each week of Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison has been bringing you Trailblazers and Mavericks of Black music, and for the final week, John talks about an artist who helped define the sound of the early 2000s and is still getting weirder and better with every release: Santigold. Hear why, on the next World Cafe.

Pete Yorn has been a fixture of the singer-songwriter world since the release of his debut album, Musicforthemorningafter, in 2001. More than two decades later, Pete just released his 11th album, The Hard Way. On the next World Cafe, hear a mini concert of songs from the new album.

When Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus first joined forces in 2018 to release an EP as boygenius, their musical chemistry was obvious from first listen. In 2023, they put out their debut full-length album, called the record, and it’s clear that they’re much more than great bandmates; they’re best friends. On the next World Cafe, Julien, Phoebe and Lucy talk about why friendship is at the heart of their album.

SAYA may be Saya Gray’s debut album, but the Japanese-Canadian songwriter and producer has been releasing sonically ambitious, album-length projects since 2022. Before then, the multi-instrumentalist cut her teeth as a music director for other musical acts. On the next World Cafe, Gray talks about why it was finally time to create a proper debut album, why traveling is so important to her creative process, plus she and her band perform live in the studio.

The British born singer, songwriter, and producer Yola carved a new path with her latest EP, My Way. She says it was heavily influenced by her time in the broken beat scene, a subgenre of dance music from the 2000’s. Yola will talk about why she wanted to switch up her sound and why no one will ever steer her career again. Plus, live performances in studio of new songs from My Way, it’s Yola on the next World Cafe.

Each week of Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison is bringing you Trailblazers and Mavericks of Black Music. This week, John discusses the life and legacy of disco icon Sylvester, whose distinct falsetto and fearless personal expression defied expectations in every way. That’s on the next World Cafe.