World Cafe

Monday - Friday 7pm
David Dye

Since 1991, World Cafe has been a premier showcase for contemporary music serving up an eclectic blend that includes blues, rock, world, folk, and alternative country. The show is hosted by long-time Philadelphia radio personality David Dye.

Search World Cafe playlists here.


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Audio Archive

  • Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:13am
    The Seattle six-piece Pickwick started out performing singer Galen Disstons acoustic songs, but have since changed course to a more groove oriented band sound. Cant Talk Medicine is their debut studio album, which the band showcases live today, and they will explain their musical transformation, and play live.
  • Monday, May 6, 2013 10:33am
    Michaela Majoun welcomes Dawes on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The L.A. rock band made a big impact when they debuted in 2009 with what' has been described as their So-Cal, Laurel Canyon sound. Dawes style has expanded a bit on their new album, Stories Don't End, as we will hear in today's set from the stage of World Cafe Live. Plus, singer and songwriter, Taylor Goldsmith, explains why the group decided to self-release this, their third, disc.
  • Thursday, May 2, 2013 11:44am
    Formed in 1995, Eels is a fixture of the indie-rock scene led by Mark Oliver Everett, who performs under the stage name E. His latest, _Wonderful, Glorious_ marks the first record to include the other members of Eels in the writing process. Learn why in this interview, plus a stellar live set drawn from the new album.
  • Tuesday, April 23, 2013 4:30pm
    On this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, host David Dye is joined by English singer-songwriter, Billy Bragg. His first release in five years is a more introspective record than the political catalog he's become known for since the '70s. It's called Tooth and Nail and was produced by Bragg's friend and fellow musician, Joe Henry. In this interview, Bragg explains how the new album relates to Mermaid Avenue, his 1998 tribute to Woody Guthrie, and he'll discuss how frustration drives much of his songwriting.
  • Monday, April 15, 2013 4:14pm
    David Dye welcomes Jim James on this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. As the frontman of My Morning Jacket, James has been making exciting rock for fifteen years and has also recorded collaborations under the alias Yim Yames, but now comes his first solo effort, Regions of Light and Sound of God. James departs from his band's sound on this album, which draws inspiration from '70s soul as well as Lynd Ward's graphic novel, God's Man. In this interview, James talks about the role of spirituality on the record and in his own songwriting practice, and he'll explain how the solo project came about, starting with his recuperation period after falling off the stage during a 2008 show.

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11:16am

Tue September 27, 2011
World Cafe

Fruit Bats And Vetiver On World Cafe

Credit Annie Beedy/Courtesy of the artist

As labelmates and tour companions, San Francisco's Vetiver and Chicago's Fruit Bats have strong ties to one another.

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12:37pm

Fri September 23, 2011
World Cafe

Beirut On World Cafe

Originally published on Mon November 7, 2011 7:37 am

Credit Courtesy of the artist

The story of Beirut, the sweetly melancholy musical venture of Zach Condon, is like something out of a movie. The New Mexico native dropped out of college in 2006 to focus on writing and recording music. He produced Gulag Orkestar, celebrating old-world weirdness and nostalgia with bawdy Balkan organ pumps and trumpets. The album sparked a meteoric rise for the young artist.

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11:37am

Thu September 22, 2011
World Cafe

Milagres On World Cafe

Credit Cameron Wittig

The Brooklyn dream-pop band Milagres might bring to mind some juggernauts of the past: "Here to Stay" calls to mind Arcade Fire and R.E.M., where the certified slow jam "Glowing Mouth" conjures Prince's Purple Rain deep cut "The Beautiful Ones." Don't be mistaken, though — Milagres is rightfully hard to pin down.

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12:30pm

Wed September 21, 2011
World Cafe

The War On Drugs On World Cafe

Credit Graham Tolbert

Philadelphia's The War on Drugs is an arena rock band that doesn't play arenas yet. On its second and most recent record, Slave Ambient, the band rollicks like a lost early U2 demo, pairing massive melodies and expansive instrumentation to powerful effect.

Peaking on songs like "Your Love Is Calling My Name," or the '80s Springsteen-style anthem "Baby Missiles," the grandeur of Slave Ambient conjures Americana in a way few bands can.

This World Cafe session features songs from the band's recent concert at World Cafe Live.

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10:36am

Tue September 20, 2011
World Cafe

Amanda Shires On World Cafe

Credit Courtesy of the artist

West Texas fiddler and singer Amanda Shires is a storyteller.

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