Music Interviews

Emily Saliers' solo album, Murmuration Nation, is out August 11.

Music & Culture

On 'Murmuration Nation,' Indigo Girls' Emily Saliers Goes Solo

7:59am August 11, 2017

Thirty years into her career, Saliers is now releasing music on her own. "What I really wanted to do was make a record with a combination of thoughtful lyrics and serious groove," she says.

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Music & Culture

World Cafe Nashville: Tristen

8:40pm August 10, 2017

by Ann Powers

Tristen Gaspadarek performs songs from Sneaker Waves, her meditation on the tragic habits and tender aspirations of people stumbling through the rapid changes of 21st century life.

Music & Culture

Making 'Power Of Peace' With The Isley Brothers Checks One Off Santana's Bucket List

9:45am August 10, 2017

by Felix Contreras

Carlos Santana teamed up with iconic soul and funk band The Isley Brothers for a new album dedicated to peace through music. On this episode, we invite them all to talk about its creation and message.

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Nashville gospel singers the McCrary Sisters have performed with the likes of Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Kirk Franklin.

Music & Culture

On 'McCrary Sisters: Live,' The Spotlight Turns Toward Gospel's Go-To Backup Singers

7:37am August 10, 2017

by Jewly Hight

The sisters have sung with Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and more. And they're Nashville gospel royalty: Their father led the legendary Fairfield Four. Now, they're releasing a live album of their own.

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Music & Culture

Songhoy Blues On World Cafe

3:55pm August 09, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

Imagine if Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin met Ali Farka Touré in a garage in West Africa.

Chinese boyband TFBoys' song "Go!AMIGO" is a big hit in China this summer.

Music & Culture

TFBoys' 'Go!AMIGO' Is A Summery Slice Of Pop Propaganda

3:52pm August 09, 2017

by Rob Schmitz

In China, the song of summer is by a boy band who cleverly promotes communist values to a fanbase that is mostly composed of kids in rural cities.

Chance The Rapper's streaming-only album Coloring Book won him three Grammys this year.

Music & Culture

Chance The Rapper On Mixtapes, Politics And Priorities

8:26am August 09, 2017

by Sami Yenigun

Hip-hop's unsigned overachiever speaks with Stretch and Bobbito about SoundCloud, how parenting has changed his music and his million-dollar donation to Chicago Public Schools.

Waxahatchee performs at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA. Recorded live for this World Cafe session.

Music & Culture

Waxahatchee On World Cafe

11:54am August 08, 2017

by David Dye

Katie Crutchfield visited World Cafe in Philadelphia to perform four songs from her new album, Out In The Storm, and speak with guest host David Dye.

Music & Culture

Sherman Holmes On World Cafe

5:01pm August 07, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

The surviving member of the The Holmes Brothers talks about the courage it took to continue after the loss of his bandmates.

Randy Newman stopped by NPR for a performance and interview with Steve Inskeep.

Music & Culture

Soundtracks, Satire And A Sense Of Place: A Conversation With Randy Newman

2:08pm August 07, 2017

After spending several decades writing beloved children's scores, Newman is back with the acerbic Dark Matter. Hear a conversation with Steve Inskeep, plus a performance of some original songs.

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