World Cafe

Take a trip to Louisiana’s Cajun Country with a new installment of our monthly series, Acadiana Music Showcase. Marc Broussard was raised in Louisiana, the son of a Louisiana Hall of Famer guitarist – and his “bayou soul” sound has garnered him attention both at home and nationwide. Broussard performs songs from his latest album, Time Is a Thief, on the next World Cafe.

Carter Vail was working as an engineer and producer in Nashville when he started making playful music videos on social media. One of those songs, “Dirt Man”, went viral, and introduced folks not only to Vail’s humorous songs, but his serious work as a solo musician too. Carter Vail joins World Cafe to talk about his latest album, 100 Cowboys, how he crafts his 30 second music videos, and why he thinks you shouldn’t delete your posts.

Between Bright Eyes, his other collaborative projects and his own solo work, Conor Oberst has released over 20 studio albums. So, it might surprise you that he says when he finishes one, he’s never sure if he’ll be able to write another. Conor talks about the spark that got him going on Bright Eyes latest album, Five Dice, All Threes, and you’ll hear the band perform live, on the next World Cafe.

Sammy Rae and the Friends are one of the best live bands in New York City. They spent years touring and honing their sound before heading into the studio to record their debut album, Something for Everybody. The seven-piece band brings their live energy to a mini-concert recorded in Philadelphia, 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. No one has ever embodied that theme quite like the bold and brash funk artist Betty Davis. John talks about Davis’ legacy, her resurgence, and how she was “punk before punk”, on the next World Cafe.

Michael Kiwanuka’s latest album, Small Changes, strips away excess production elements, to remind people why we fell in love with him in the first place, his voice. Kiwanuka, who once again worked with Danger Mouse and Inflo, will talk about big life events and the small changes he made to navigate them. Plus, we will hear songs from Small Changes. It’s Michael Kiwanuka on the next World Cafe.

Charles Wesley Godwin always dreamed of being a professional football player, until he didn’t make the team in college and decided to pursue other hobbies, like the guitar. On the next World Cafe, Godwin talks about switching from sports to music, playing his first gig (in Estonia), and eventually opening for folks like Luke Combs and Jason Isbell.

When you hear Teddy Swims sing, you’re hearing the powerful sound of a man baring his soul. That vulnerability is part of what made his debut album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Part 1, such a success. On the next World Cafe, Teddy talks about what it means to be emotionally open, and he talks about his new album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Part 2.

This Sunday, millions of people around the globe will tune into Super Bowl 59 to witness one of the biggest stars on the planet. Not Patrick Mahomes, but hip-hop’s reigning MVP, Kendrick Lamar. On the next World Cafe, the theme is Super Bowl halftime performers, featuring music from Prince, Tom Petty, Lady Gaga and many more.

Throughout Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison is showcasing trailblazers and mavericks of Black music; artists who took risks and pushed boundaries. This week, John discusses the visionary composer, poet, and bandleader Sun Ra, and talks about his experimentation as well as his widespread influence.