World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

On this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, David Dye welcomes David Wax Museum. Singer-songwriter David Wax and his musical and life partner, Suz Slezak, have a new album, called Guesthouse. It strays a bit from the Mexican influences that defined their early career, this time offering more straightforward pop songs. We'll hear a live studio performance, and David and Suz discuss life as touring musicians.

John Grant is David Dye's guest on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. He got his start with Denver alt-rock band The Czars before going solo in 2010, and two more acclaimed albums followed, including the latest, Grey Tickles, Black Pressure. Today, John talks about growing up gay in a conservative community, his permanent relocation to Iceland, and he plays a stripped-down live set.

On this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, David Dye welcomes Portland, Oregon singer, Liz Vice. She was studying to be a filmmaker when her church pastor, Josh White, encouraged her to take up music and even wrote her an album. This would become her debut, called There's a Light. We'll hear Liz's story today, from overcoming lupus to becoming a touring musician, plus a soulful live performance.

Josh Ritter is David Dye's guest on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The singer-songwriter originally from Idaho recorded his debut while studying at Oberlin College, and he's gone on to release seven more albums in his narrative and melodic Americana style. The new one, Sermon on the Rocks, is out now. We'll learn why Josh went to New Orleans to record it, and he plays acoustic versions of some songs live in the studio.

On this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, David Dye welcomes The Mekons. When they formed in England in the '70s, they started out as a punk band, but their later music took heavy influence from British folk music and American country. Documenting the group's evolution is the new film, Revenge of the Mekons, and they're here to talk about it today. Plus, you cannot miss The Mekons' live performance.

David Dye is joined by Irish singer-songwriter, Glen Hansard, on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. He captured an international audience for his starring role in the film, Once, and wrote the soundtrack, including the Oscar-winning song, "Falling Slowly." Today, he performs in front of a live audience with new music from Didn't He Ramble, and we'll learn why Glen rewrote the album entirely when it came time to record.

On this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, David Dye welcomes Shaun Fleming, who performs as Diane Coffee. Along with being the drummer for the band Foxygen, Fleming has now released his second solo album, Everybody's A Good Dog. It's full of fresh pop-rock, as we'll hear in a live set today. Plus, Shaun explains the Diane Coffee moniker and how his early work as a voice actor has influenced his singing.

David Dye welcomes Youth Lagoon on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The band is the work of Idaho musician, Trevor Powers, who writes melodic and experimental indie pop. His latest effort, Savage Hills Ballroom, was deeply influenced by the death of a friend while Trevor was on tour. We'll hear that story and more in today's session, along with a live performance from Youth Lagoon.

David Dye's guest is Kamasi Washington on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The jazz saxophonist from L.A. is best known for his arrangements and playing on Kendrick Lamar's recent album, To Pimp a Butterfly. Kamasi has his own new three-disc release, called The Epic, which features a full orchestra and choir. He's brought an eight-piece band for today's live performance, and he recalls how rap and jazz influenced him early on.

David Dye welcomes Patty Griffin on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. In a recording career that spans 20 years, her acclaimed work has ranged from rock, to folk, to gospel. On her new rootsy release, Servant of Love, she explores the spiritual connection between humanity and nature. Today, Patty talks about her own observations that inspired the new songs, and she performs live.

Nashville's Kopecky join David Dye on this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. They debuted in 2012 as the Kopecky Family Band, and in addition to the name change, they've taken a harder rock approach on their second album, Drug for the Modern Age. The band talks about their mixed feelings about the title track, and we'll hear that one and more live in the studio today with Kopecky.

John Moreland visits David Dye on this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. The Oklahoma singer-songwriter has been making increasingly acclaimed country music over the course of his six self-released albums. High on Tulsa Heat is the latest. He'll share insights into his methods and evolution in a very interesting interview today, and John plays an acoustic set live in the studio.

Sam Outlaw is David Dye's guest on this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. It's a familiar dream, but he's one of the few to make it a reality; Sam decided to leave his job as a digital ad salesman to pursue music full time, and now he has an acclaimed debut, called Angeleno. Today we'll hear how he landed roots rock legend, Ry Cooder, to produce his album, and Sam plays some of his country songs live in the studio.

On this edition of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, David Dye welcomes Australian sensations, DMA's. The first three singles the trio released were immediately embraced by radio, leading to sold out tours in Australia. They played their first U.S. dates recently, including this performance on stage at World Cafe Live.

James McMurtry is David Dye's guest on World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN. Since debuting in 1989, the Texas singer-songwriter has become known for his detailed narrative songs that make the characters come alive. In this session, he's on stage at World Cafe Live performing songs from his first new album in seven years, called Complicated Game.