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World Cafe

DJ Shadow on World Cafe

For his latest album, DJ Shadow turned to a curious eBay purchase: 200 tapes recorded off an 80s radio mix. Those tapes, along with the producer’s massive personal vinyl collection, form the foundation of Action Adventure. On the next World Cafe, DJ Shadow talks about making his seventh album, and how he approaches music curation and collecting during an era of information overload.

Future Islands on World Cafe

Sam Herring of Future Islands thought he was writing a record about being in love. It turned out to be a breakup album in disguise. The Baltimore band’s new album, People Who Aren’t There Anymore, is filled with their signature indie synth-pop sound. Future Islands join us to talk about making it, including having two people co-mix the album, on the next World Cafe.

Encore: Nanna on World Cafe

Nanna, the vocalist from Of Monsters and Men, just released her debut album, How To Start a Garden. It’s a fresh start for the Icelandic singer-songwriter, who took time during the pandemic to craft her own songs, while teaming up with The National’s Aaron Dessner. We’ll catch up with Nanna to hear performances of songs from How to Start a Garden, on the next World Cafe.

Yard Act on World Cafe

In 2022, Yard Act released their debut album, collaborated with Elton John, and the band was nominated for the Mercury Prize. But their sudden success didn’t solve all the band’s problems. On their new album, Where’s My Utopia?, Yard Act grapples with what it means to get everything you wanted, and then to keep on going. That’s on the next World Cafe.

Encore: Rhiannon Giddens on World Cafe

Rhiannon Giddens is a two-time Grammy award winner, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, and Pulitzer Prize winning singer, instrumentalist, and composer. Her album, You’re the One, is a departure from previous material. Featuring all original compositions, it was a chance for Giddens to expand her sonic palette. Rhiannon Giddens talks about her new album and winning a Pulitzer for her opera, Omar, on the next World Cafe.

Billy Porter on World Cafe

Billy Porter is known for many things – his Tony award winning Broadway performance in Kinky Boots, his Emmy award winning role in HBO’s Pose, and his head turning red carpet looks. Now he is on a mission to become known for something else – his music! Billy Porter talks about his deeply personal new album, Black Mona Lisa, on the next WorldCafe.

John Morrison Black History Month Special, Week 4 on World Cafe

Dance and electronic music in the new millennium has taken turns that few could have anticipated. On the next World Cafe, correspondent John Morrison explains how dance music in the 2000s and beyond has been shaped by rapidly evolving tech and social media. Join us for this final installment of our special Black History Month series on dance music.

Sen Morimoto Mini Concert on World Cafe

Complex drum patterns, layered synths, and a healthy dose of saxophone makes Chicago musician Sen Morimoto a force to be reckoned with, both in live performance and on his latest record, Diagnosis. On the next World Cafe, Sen, along with World Cafe alum KAINA, joins us to perform a set of songs from the album.

MGMT on World Cafe

MGMT once again has made a record that sounds nothing like you’d expect, but that’s no surprise for the psychedelic pop outfit. On their fifth album, Loss of Life, the band grows up. Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser join us to talk about how less acid, more stability, and a slight nod to 80s metal goes a long way, on the next World Cafe.

Encore: Tracy Chapman on World Cafe

Tracy Chapman gave a breathtaking performance of “Fast Car” alongside country singer Luke Combs earlier this month at the Grammys. On the next World Cafe, hear Tracy Chapman talk about that beloved song and more. It’s an interview recorded in 2000, backstage on the tour for her album Telling Stories.