World Cafe

Grammy winning, singer-songwriter Sarah Jarosz is opening up on her latest album, Polaroid Lovers. She’s not only opening up emotionally (the first time she ever cried in the studio was while recording one of the songs on the album), but she’s also opening up creatively by working with more collaborators and co-writers. Hear her talk about that, and the instrument she calls her soulmate: the octave mandolin, on the next World Cafe.

After the departure of their longtime lead guitarist, Toronto band Valley pressed the reset button, putting pen to paper immediately. Rob Laska and Karah [like Sarah] James join us to talk about how that experience taught the band how to press on. Valley will also play songs from their new album, Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden, on the next World Cafe.

Recording icon Herb Alpert’s latest album, 50, marks a significant milestone, it’s his 50th full-length recording. The Tijuana Brass bandleader, A&M Records Co-founder, and philanthropist joins the Cafe to look back on his weighty career, including stories about Quincy Jones and The Carpenters. Plus, when it comes to writing songs, why it’s all about the melody. It’s Herb Alpert on the next World Cafe.

Wasia Project is sibling duo Olivia Hardy and William Gao, who’ve been songwriting together since their mid-teens. They talk about melding their classical music upbringing with modern day pop on their latest EP, Isotope – and about how Will’s side hustle as star in Netflix’s Heartstopper helps keep them growing creatively. That’s on the next World Cafe.

Lupe Fiasco is one hip-hop’s most gifted lyricists; words seem to effortlessly flow out of him. But, he doesn’t think there’s anything magical about that talent. As he explains on the next World Cafe, rap is a purely scholastic endeavor for him – a skill that takes practice and study to hone. Lupe also talks about his role as co-founder of the Society of Spoken Arts and as a visiting professor at MIT. Join us.

Kacey Musgraves’ new 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.

Elsy Wameyo was born in Kenya but grew up in Australia. Duality is at the heart of Saint Sinner – the standout debut from the up-and-coming singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer. Elsy talks about writing and recording Saint Sinner with a newfound perspective, and how she found her true home. With performances from Nairobi, it’s Elsy Wameyo on the next World Cafe.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of longtime indie-rock outfit Local Natives. The Orange County band first made their mark in the late aughts with the release of Gorilla Manor, and this year, the band released But I’ll Wait For You, a companion album to 2023’s Time Will Wait For No One. On the next World Cafe, hear Local Natives play a mini-concert recorded live at KUTX in Austin, Texas.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of longtime indie-rock outfit Local Natives. The Orange County band first made their mark in the late aughts with the release of Gorilla Manor, and this year, the band released But I’ll Wait For You, a companion album to 2023’s Time Will Wait For No One. On the next World Cafe, hear Local Natives play a mini-concert recorded live at KUTX in Austin, Texas.

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 the 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.