Music

Declan McKenna's new album, What Do You Think About the Car? is out July 21.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Declan McKenna, 'What Do You Think About The Car?'

5:00am July 17, 2017

by Bob Boilen

The British teenager has been a rising star since he took home the Emerging Artist prize at Glastonbury two years ago. His debut album lives up to that early promise.

Offa Rex, a new group composed of The Decemberists and Olivia Chaney (center), reimagines traditional English folk music on The Queen Of Hearts.

Music & Culture

Offa Rex's Olivia Chaney On The 'Dreamlike Nostalgia' Of English Folk

7:33am July 16, 2017

The English vocalist, who's joined forces with The Decemberists in the band Offa Rex, says she's drawn to traditional folk music for its mysticism and age-old themes.

Clemson University doctoral candidate A.D. Carson takes questions during his dissertation defense Feb. 24, 2017.

Music & Culture

After Rapping His Dissertation, A.D. Carson Is UVa's New Hip-Hop Professor

5:09pm July 15, 2017

Carson's doctoral dissertation, a 34-track rap album, went viral. This fall, he'll teach hip-hop history and composition in the hope of giving his students tools to engage in difficult conversations.

Broken Social Scene's "Stay Happy" is one of the new songs we recommend for your weekend playlist.

Music & Culture

Weekend LISTening: 5 Songs You Gotta Hear Right Now

11:25am July 15, 2017

by Bruce Warren

We at World Cafe know there's a lot of new music flying around — so we've selected five current favorite tracks to add to your playlist.

It may look nondescript now, but New Orleans' Congo Square is where the musical foundations of jazz were laid down.

Music & Culture

In New Orleans, There's A Piece Of Music History Around Every Corner

8:52am July 15, 2017

A group of NOLA music lovers has created "A Closer Walk," an interactive map of landmarks like the birthplace of jazz, a recording studio-turned-laundromat and the home of a legendary cornetist.

Bands Prep For The Big Stage At Berklee

8:52am July 15, 2017

by Andrea Shea

Bands and singers get tips on how to perform in front of enormous festival audiences in a program at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

The Floating Symphony

8:52am July 15, 2017

The America Wind Symphony Orchestra plays concerts around the world. Their stage is a 195-foot long boat. The orchestra's conductor, Robert Boudreau, talks about finding a new home for the ship.

Camp staffer Abby Martin (left) and veteran camper Torrin Hallett (right) play their horns at the Kendall Betts Horn Camp.

Music & Culture

At This Summer Camp, Horn Players Of All Ages Find Community

8:52am July 15, 2017

by Patty Wight

High-school students hoping to go pro, adult amateurs and professors of the instrument all gather annually at the Kendall Betts Horn Camp in New Hampshire.

From left to right: Emin Agalarov, Donald Trump and Aras Agalarov (Emin's father) on the red carpet at the Miss Universe Pageant Competition 2013 in Moscow, Russia.

Meet Emin Agalarov, Trump-Connected Russian Pop Star

10:02pm July 14, 2017

by Mandalit del Barco

Get caught up on the singer and real-estate mogul in the news for helping arrange a meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Fleet Foxes On World Cafe

7:13pm July 14, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

Lead singer Robin Pecknold says the band's new album, Crack-Up, is the kind of record he's always wanted to make. Hear a live performance and conversation with Pecknold in this session.