World Cafe

What would it sound like if Thin Lizzy cut a disco record? That’s one of the questions Chicago singer-songwriter Neal Francis asked himself as he began working on his latest album Return to Zero. Hear what he came up with in an exclusive live mini concert from Neal Francis, on the next World Cafe.

What would it sound like if Thin Lizzy cut a disco record? That’s one of the questions Chicago singer-songwriter Neal Francis asked himself as he began working on his latest album Return to Zero. Hear what he came up with in an exclusive live mini concert from Neal Francis, on the next World Cafe.

Lucius is releasing a new album this week, so World Cafe is looking back at their 2022 appearance on the show, when they delivered a defiant dance party with their album Second Nature. Holly and Jess of Lucius perform and talk about their unique bond as best friends and how it has changed over the last few years. That’s next time, on an encore World Cafe.

There is real, heartfelt emotion in the music of Palmyra. The band first met on the campus of James Madison University in Virginia, and have a new album called Restless. On the next World Cafe, the indie-rock trio talk about their collaborative spirit and why they share songwriting duties. Plus, you’ll hear live performances from the stage of World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

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.