World Cafe

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová have recently released their first new music together as The Swell Season in 16 years. On the next World Cafe, the Oscar-winning duo discuss the ways their personal and songwriting relationship has changed over time, and they perform songs both new and old.

Los Angeles singer Jordana has shapeshifted throughout her career. From bedroom indie to club style pop, her latest album embraces the sound of her backyard, Laurel Canyon. Jordana joins us to talk about growing up playing violin, and after years putting it to the side, why she decided to pick it up for her new record, Lively Premonition. Plus, hear live performances from Jordana, on the next World Cafe.

Kamasi Washington is one of the biggest names in contemporary jazz. He calls his third album, Fearless Movement, a “dance record,” but he views dance as movement and expression. It features appearances from George Clinton, BJ the Chicago Kid, Thundercat, and Andre 3000. Kamasi Washington joins World Cafe to talk about how fatherhood has changed his priorities, and we’ll hear a special live performance, recorded in Philadelphia.

After the massive success of Purple Rain, Prince took a left turn in 1985 with his more psychedelic album, Around the World in a Day. On the next World Cafe, correspondent John Morrison talks about the influences inspiring Prince at the time, and explains how “Raspberry Beret” wasn’t originally intended to be a single, but then became a hit.

World Cafe’s Acadiana Music Showcase puts the spotlight on up-and-coming artists from Louisiana’s Cajun Country. This month, meet the hip-hop collective Good Prblms, comprised of students and alumni from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Hear a mini concert from Good Prblms, on the next World Cafe.

As a kid, Bartees Strange would watch scary movies in an attempt to conquer fear. On his new album, Horror, the Baltimore-based musician embraces the many facets of that emotion. Bartees Strange joins us on the next World Cafe to talk about crafting Horror, from working with Jack Antonoff, to writing about stability and being a Black musician in the predominantly white indie-rock sphere.

Noeline Hofmann grew up in Alberta, spending time herding cattle as a ranch hand. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter has a gift for conveying the imagery of the rugged West in songs like “Purple Gas”. Coming up, Noeline Hofmann joins World Cafe to talk about what being a ranch hand has in common with writing songs, and we’ll hear live performances recorded in studio.

Five years ago, MJ Lenderman was working at an ice cream shop – now, he’s being profiled by GQ and The New York Times, with his latest album, Manning Fireworks, being called one of the best of last year. MJ Lenderman performs songs from the new album live and talks about how he stays creative in a world full of distractions, on the next World Cafe.

Brooklyn band Momma’s latest album, Welcome to My Blue Sky, is a compilation of stories from their first tour, including the changes and challenges that come with being on the road. On the next World Cafe, Momma performs songs from Welcome to My Blue Sky, live, plus they discuss the album, as well as the strangest experience they’ve had on stage.

Yasmin Williams can do incredible things with an acoustic guitar. On her latest album, Acadia, the virtuoso explores the past, present, and future of the instrument, with collaborations from Aoife O’Donovan, Darlingside, and Don Flemons. Coming up, Yasmin Williams talks about why she’ll sometimes spend hours refining a single note, and shares dazzling live performances.