World Cafe

Every artist’s discography tells a story. On a new Backtracking, Keith Urban looks back at his entire catalogue and tells stories about songs that played a special role in his life and career: the song that changed everything, the song he wrote in just one sitting, the song that surprised him and made him cry, and more. That’s next time on World Cafe.

Each January, music lovers head to the Emerald Coast in sunny Northwestern Florida to bask in the musical warmth of the 30A Songwriter’s Festival. But you don’t need a plane ticket to enjoy it. On the next World Cafe, hear performances by Maggie Rose, Gary Louris, and Jontavious Willis, recorded live at this year’s 30A Songwriter’s Festival.

Do you ever wonder what kind of world we’re leaving for the next generation? That question is woven into the latest album from Tim Heidecker & The Very Good Band, called Slipping Away. On the next World Cafe, Tim Heidecker and Very Good Band bassist Eliana Athayde talk about writing songs that explore anxiety, fatherhood, and the post-apocalypse, and about how much fun they have working together. They also perform live.

Everything Is Recorded is the musical project of Richard Russell, a record producer, and the owner of XL Recordings. His new album, Temporary, features appearances from Sampha, Alabaster DePlume, Noah Cyrus, Florence Welch, Kamasi Washington, and many more. Richard Russell joins us to answer the question: “What if folk had gone digital in the 80’s”, on the next World Cafe.

On Hurray for the Riff Raff’s latest album, The Past is Still Alive, Alynda Segarra is a reanimator – casting the old American cowboy myth in a new light, crafting heroic legends for long lost friends of theirs, and finding ways to commune with their father, who they lost right before making the record. On the next World Cafe, revisit a session with Hurray for the Riff Raff as they gear up to restart their tour this May.

The Head and The Heart have released some brand-new songs and have an album, Aperture, set to be released in May. On the next World Cafe, hear the new music recorded live. And the band talks about how this record represents a new phase in their career – renewed relationships, a new method of songwriting, and a new record label.

Michelle Zauner, of Japanese Breakfast, is on a trajectory. Not only did she author the New York Times bestselling memoir, Crying In H Mart, but she also entered new sonic territory with her 2021 album, Jubilee. The record marked a joyful sonic departure from her earlier, darker songwriting themes. To celebrate the release of Japanese Breakfast’s new album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), we’re listening back to a 2021 interview with Zauner, where she discusses her then new album, her memoir, and the stories behind them.

Kendrick Lamar released his album To Pimp A Butterfly ten years ago this month. On the next World Cafe, Culture Corner correspondent John Morrison talks about the profound impact of that record musically and politically – and why Lamar could be compared to Bob Dylan.

In a departure from their previous sound, Fontaines D.C.’s fourth album, Romance, sees the Irish post-punk band incorporating unlikely influences, such as new wave music and anime, all the while maintaining the band’s edgy, rebellious identity. On the next World Cafe, Fontaines D.C. performs a mini concert of songs from all four of their albums, recorded live in Philadelphia.

Kacey Musgraves’ much-anticipated 2024 album, Deeper Well, sees the songwriter entering her mid-30s with a deeper understanding of herself, what she wants, and what she doesn’t want. Kacey talks about asking big life questions, and about welcoming this new phase by recording in a new setting: Electric Lady Studio in New York City. That’s on the next World Cafe.