The prolific and unpredictable rocker has just released a new, self-titled album. Hear a conversation and live performance.

World Cafe revisits magical moments in music history when orchestras have starred in rock recordings.

Eleven musicians squeeze into the World Cafe studio to recreate some of the danceable splendor of the band's new album, Hang.

Banished from Mexico by her family, Vazquez fought long and hard to earn respect as a female mariachi musician.

With lyrics lifted from Mercutio's speech in Romeo And Juliet, Stevens tangles beauty with terror in a way that would give Shakespeare the shivers.

Heavy rock 'n' roll chops earned the California band the keys to Tom Petty's studio and a tour with Mudcrutch.

Listen to the blues legend share his memories of the powerful message Dr. King delivered when they met.

Tucked in alongside wailing guitars and warbling synths, frontman Gavin Gardiner shares a powerful story about sexual abuse.

Olsen's latest album, My Woman, made a number of best-of-2016 lists — and shatters any wrongful assumptions anyone may have made about her melancholy tendencies.

Happy holidays? More like Sappy Bawlidays. If Christmas sends you down the chimney of despair, these 10 of the season's saddest ditties will meet you there.

Feeling a little jingle belled out? Here's your musical stocking stuffer — plus a holiday bedtime story.

World Cafe's contributing host shines a spotlight on the brilliant artists who provided the soundtrack to an eventful year.

The Moscow-born singer turns back to her roots for her latest record, Remember Us To Life. Hear her tell the stories behind the songs and perform an old Russian lullaby.

The prolific guitarist performs songs from his latest album, Golden Sings That Have Been Sung, which showcases his subtle humor and stellar fingerpicking.

Calle 13 singer and rapper Ileana Cabra has gone solo. Hear a live set recorded at Philadelphia's NuevoFest.

Naoko Yamano of the pioneering Japanese pop-punk band Shonen Knife recommends some of her favorite rising stars from the Land of the Rising Sun.

After 35 years, the three women who make up this Japanese band have cemented their status as cult heroes and pop-punk icons.

The natural-born fiddler performs songs from a new album born just a few days before her daughter.

It's a pop-culture phenomenon: The people of Mexico love Morrissey. A lot. Hear a set from the band that's giving the Smiths singer's music a Latin makeover.

Ease into the season of "best-of" lists with a handful of standout tracks from 2016: five retro-sounding, five cutting-edge.