World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Hayes Carll joins David Dye on this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. Since his debut over ten years ago, the Texas singer-songwriter's become known for his witty country songs about drunken missteps and failed romance. He defies expectation with a new batch of reflective songs, called Lovers and Leavers, which was spurred by a divorce and helping to raise his son. We'll hear more about Carll's musical departure today, and a live set.

David Dye's guest on World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN is Rich Cohen. While working as a contributing editor at Rolling Stone Magazine back in the '90s, he became embedded with The Rolling Stones on tour and in the studio. This led to his new book, a history of the band called The Sun & The Moon & The Rolling Stones. We'll hear about that, as well as Cohen's contributions to the HBO series Vinyl today.

Boogarins join David Dye on this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The Brazilian band makes music influenced by the '60s art movement, Tropicalismo, which gave rise to artists like Caetano Veloso and the band Os Mutantes. We'll hear Boogarins' story today, and they perform songs from their new album, Manual, before a live audience at World Cafe Live.

On this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, David Dye welcomes Quilt. The band debuted five years ago and have become known for their excellent psychedelic music. But their sound has really solidified on the new album, Plaza. We'll hear a live set in the studio today, and co-founders Anna Fox Rochinski and Shane Butler tell the stories behind some of the new songs.

One of America's greatest songwriters, Paul Simon, joins David Dye on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. With Simon and Garfunkel he gave us classics like "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and his prolific solo career includes the landmark album, Graceland. He has a new disc called Stranger to Stranger, which Paul talks about in this interview, and David will highlight some of the new tracks.

On this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, David Dye's guest is Charles Bradley. He was performing as a James Brown impersonator named Black Velvet before being discovered at age 62 by Daptone Records. He released his first album with them in 2011, and a new one, Changes, earlier this year. We'll hear Charles' story today, and he performs some of his new music before an audience at World Cafe Live.

Sunflower Bean joins David Dye on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The three-piece started out with drummer Jacob Faber and guitarist Nick Kivlen, but it wasn't until singer and bassist Julia Cumming joined that the band jelled and set out to play every gig they could in New York City. Today we'll hear a live set of songs from their debut, Human Ceremony, and the trio talks about their quick success after forming only two years ago.

David Dye welcomes alt-country band, Mount Moriah, for World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. In a special live performance from their home studio in Durham, North Carolina, we'll hear songs from the new album, How To Dance. Plus, the band discusses the city's tight-knit music scene and the personal events that inspired some of the new songs.

David Dye's guest is Lucinda Williams on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. Nearly 30 years since her first album, she continues to carve out her own path in country-folk music with the release of The Ghosts of Highway 20. It's a remarkable look back at places along that road that figure into her life. Lucinda performs some of the new songs today, and we'll learn about the family members who have had a great influence on her songwriting.

Nada Surf joins David Dye on this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. After 20 years together, their unique alt-rock sound remains instantly recognizable. They released their eighth album last month, called You Know Who You Are, and today they perform some of the new music live in the studio. Plus, Nada Surf's main songwriter, Matthew Caws, explains why the entire band is credited equally on each record.

David Dye is joined by Mayer Hawthorne on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The Detroit soul man released a new album called Man About Town last month, and we'll hear a live performance from the stage of World Cafe Live. Mayer also sits down with David for a conversation about self-producing the record and some of his influences, including hip hop, which he still spins at DJ gigs.

For this special Sense of Place edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, it's one of the highlights of David Dye's visit to North Carolina's Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill triangle; A live session from MC Taylor's alt-country project, Hiss Golden Messenger, with special guest Tift Merritt sitting in. The band is currently completing a new album, and we'll hear old and new songs today.

The Cactus Blossoms join David Dye on this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The Minneapolis country band is anchored by brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey and their strong vocal harmonies. They were approached by JD McPherson about producing their debut record after opening for him at a hometown show, and the result is You're Dreaming. The Cactus Blossoms talk about the album and play live today.

David Dye's guest is Aubrie Sellers on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. She may be from Nashville and the daughter of country singer Lee Ann Womack, but her music has a rougher sound that she calls "Garage Country." Her debut, New City Blues, came out in January, and today we'll hear some of those songs live. Plus, Sellers plays guest DJ and talks about the wide range of artists who inspire her.

David Dye welcomes singer-songwriter M. Ward on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. He released his first solo album in the late '90s and has since taken on new projects, like She & Him with actress Zooey Deschanel, and Monsters of Folk with Conor Oberst and Jim James. He's back to solo work with the new record, More Rain. We'll hear a live set today, and a conversation with Ward about his love of The Beach Boys, and more.