Thursday, June 4th, 2026 – Encore: Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo is returning with a new album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, on June 12th. We talk about her rise to superstardom, how her seemingly overnight success was actually the result of years of practice, and about her previous album, Guts, as we revisit her 2023 session, next time on an encore World Cafe.

Friday, June 5th, 2026 – Death Cab for Cutie

While Death Cab For Cutie was on tour celebrating 20 years of the band’s albums Transatlanticism and Plans, frontman Ben Gibbard was also dealing with a divorce. On the next World Cafe, Gibbard talks about how that experience shaped the band’s latest record, I Built You A Tower. Plus, Death Cab for Cutie performs live.

Monday, June 8th, 2026 – Say She She

Come for the harmonies of Say She She and stick around for songs of joy, protest and empowerment. The Brooklyn and London based trio of Sabrina Cunningham, Piya Malik and Nya Brown stop by the Cafe to talk about their latest album, Cut and Rewind, and why they believe in the power of “honest music”. Plus, we’ll hear live performances taped in studio. It’s Say She She, on the next World Cafe.

Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 – Encore: Lucinda Williams

Every artist’s discography tells a story. On an Encore edition of Backtracking, Lucinda Williams looks back at her catalogue and talks about songs that played a special role in her life and career, like the song she’s “most proud of”, the song she “still loves performing”, and more. Lucinda is on tour with Bob Dylan, so we’re revisiting Backtracking with Lucinda Williams, next time on World Cafe.

Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 – Courtney Barnett

Courtney Barnett’s search for meaning amidst a sea of change in Southern California sets the backdrop for Creature of Habit, her first new album with lyrics in five years. Coming up, Courtney talks about recording in Joshua Tree, she digs into her songwriting process, and we’ll learn about how a praying mantis led to an epiphany. Plus, live performances of songs from Creature of Habit. It’s Courtney Barnett on the next World Cafe.

Thursday, June 11th, 2026 – Sotomayor Mini Concert

Sotomayor’s new album takes it’s name from the ancient Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection. It’s called Wabi Sabi. Coming up, the Mexico City duo of brother and sister Raúl and Paulina Sotomayor plays songs from Wabi Sabi, fusing, electronic music, Latin rhythms and Afrobeat in a mini concert, on the next World Cafe.

Friday, June 12th, 2026 – Rostam

Rostam’s new album is full of sounds you’d hear on an Americana album, like twangy guitars. But he’s also folded in Middle Eastern instruments, like the “saz”. On the next World Cafe, Rostam talks about fusing those cultures on American Stories, plus he performs live.

Monday, June 15th, 2026 – Snail Mail

Tuesday, June 16th, 2026– Michael Imperioli Personal Records

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 – Hiss Golden Messenger

Thursday, June 18th, 2026 – KRVS Mini Concert with Dwight James and The Royals

Friday, June 19th, 2026 – Sense of Place, Philadelphia: Dyana Williams