Search results for

Two years ago, acclaimed guitarist Kaki King announced that she would tour with a full band. For an artist who made her name as a solo instrumentalist, it marked her move into pop territory. King plays two new songs from her album Dreaming of Revenge in a session with host David Dye.

The Irish rock band Bell X-1 has just returned with a new album of catchy pop and electronica, Blue Lights on the Runway. It's also back on World Cafe for a special session with legendary producer Steve Lillywhite.

The energetic indie-pop band's members were only 20 when their debut, Be He Me, was released in 2006. For their sophomore album, songwriter Adam Baker has discovered new depth, borrowing from ska, psychedelia and country on the colorful and appropriately named Such Fun.

Since leaving his post as guitarist of Drive-By Truckers, Isbell has pursued his own creative voice on two solo albums. The latest, a self-titled release with his new band The 400 Unit, lays down percussion-heavy Southern roots-rock with the perceptive, character-driven songwriting that distinguishes Isbell as one of the best lyricists around.

The new supergroup led by Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody includes members of R.E.M. and Belle and Sebastian. The band's debut album, The Place We Ran From, even features Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. Listen to an interview with Lightbody and Peter Buck and hear tracks from a performance in London.

The World Cafe caught up with Chris Vos and Alex Stiff from the band to talk about the new faces working on their latest album.

In the Montreal music scene, the pop-rock band Malajube has made a name for itself in part by sticking to its roots. Spurning English, the five French-Canadian friends belt out upbeat tunes in their native tongue, but have won over fans in the U.S. in spite of the language barrier.

By the end of last year, Voxtrot was a known quantity without having signed to a label or released a full-length CD. But that changed with the release of the band's self-titled debut. On it, Voxtrot crafts 11 catchy and memorable songs, buoyed by tasteful strings and piano.

The band mixes psychedelic melodies into appealing indie-pop, a blend that's caught on with fans. The group boosted its production values for God Save The Clientele, which singer Alasdair MacLean describes as "a lovely blend of Big Star twisted power-pop and country achin'."

After nearly 25 years, the Canadian band continues to thrive, thanks in part to its live shows. Still, the group remains on the relative outskirts of the U.S. music scene, despite stardom at home. Hear an interview with The Tragically Hip, plus songs performed live in the studio.