World Cafe

Nestled in an alley in Cambridge’s Harvard Square, there’s a music venue that’s been a sanctuary for folk musicians and fans for over 60 years. On the next World Cafe, as part of the Sense of Place Boston series, visit Club Passim, the intimate venue where Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Bob Dylan and many more legends have graced the stage. Managing director Matt Smith shares the story of Club Passim and how the venue has worked to expand the traditional definition of folk music.

Allison Russell won her first Grammy for “Eve Was Black”, a song from her outstanding sophomore solo album, The Returner. On the next World Cafe, Russell talks about why the record is focused on the present, what Americana means to her, and how her daughter challenged her to write some “bangers” on The Returner.

Billy Strings’ latest album answered the prayers of bluegrass fans worldwide. Highway Prayers is one of the best bluegrass records of the modern era. Strings joins us to talk about making the album, working with Kanye West and Fiona Apple producer Jon Brion, and tells the tale of a highly unusual traffic stop. It’s Billy Strings on the next World Cafe.

D’Angelo helped usher in the neo-soul movement, updating the sounds of 70s R&B for the hip-hop generation, with his debut in 1995. Five years later, he put out Voodoo – an album that musicians like Janelle Monáe and Frank Ocean still draw on today. On the next World Cafe, correspondent John Morrison talks about D’Angelo’s lasting influence as Voodoo turns twenty-five years old.

The Weather Station is the musical moniker of Canadian artist Tamara Lindeman. On the next World Cafe, you’ll hear a beautiful performance from The Weather Station and Tamara tells stories about how a toy keyboard, birds and a massive report on climate change inspired her 2021 album, Ignorance. Her new album, Humanhood, comes out at the end of this week.

For the latest installment of World Cafe’s monthly series, Acadiana Music Showcase, tune in to a mini concert with Bruisey Peets, who blends their background in the D.C. DIY scene with their Lafayette, Louisiana roots to create what some have coined as “queer swamp pop.” On the next World Cafe, hear tracks from Bruisey Peet’s unreleased, upcoming EP, Cartwheel Clown.

For years, Willie Watson was an integral part of Old Crow Medicine Show. After he parted ways with the band, the singer wiped the slate clean, releasing a pair of cover albums. On his new self-titled album, Watson’s songwriting and voice are front and center. On the next World Cafe, Willie Watson joins us to play songs from the new record, and he talks about finding the confidence to write and record in his own way.

When Big Thief’s Buck Meek first heard the music of folk artist Tucker Zimmerman he heard a kindred musical soul. Zimmerman, who has been recording since the 1960s, made his latest album, Dance of Love, with Big Thief. Both Zimmerman and Meek talk about how they found each other and made music together on the next World Cafe.

For Brazilian indie pop artist Felipe Puperi, music is about feeling, not thinking. That’s part of what guides his music as the songwriter and producer for the indie-pop band Tagua Tagua. You can clear your mind and feel the music with an exclusive live mini concert from Tagua Tagua, on the next World Cafe.

Peter Cat Recording Co.’s latest album Beta, was self-described as a “collection of stories about the future, told 50 years in the past, to make sense of the present.” The Indian rock band, originally from Delhi, join World Cafe to talk about how retreating to the beachside region of Goa changed the sound of the new record, and we’ll hear songs from Beta.