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World Cafe Archives

Join the World Cafe through performances and interviews with celebrated and emerging artists.
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Displaying items by tag: atw

Good Old War is an indie-folk trio consisting of three Philly natives. Pulling from each of their surnames to create the band's moniker, these three friends and collaborators have created a great chemistry on stage and a knack for mesmerizing three-part harmonies.

Three years ago a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn named Sharon Van Etten recorded the first Shaking Through session. The session would be the first step toward writing her second album.

January’s Artist To Watch is the Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men. Their American debut EP, Into The Woods, came out December 20, with a full length due in early 2012.

200% soul power! If you dig Fitz and the Tantrums, Daptone Records, Mayer Hawthorne, Otis Redding, Black Joe Lewis and J Geils then chances are you’ll get in to JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound.

The hotly buzzed Alabama Shakes from Athens, Alabama are bringing the soul back to rock and roll. They're quickly growing buzz in other places as well

Twenty-one year-old Laura Marling has the makings of the next great folk singer-songwriter. With a sound characterized by graceful refined lyricism and remarkable, ear-catching melody, Marling has been taking the music world by storm.

Diego Garcia first rose to prominence in the New York indie rock scene as frontman of the moody post-punk group Elefant. After the band split, Garcia pursued a solo career, and released his debut, Laura, earlier this year.

Gary Clark, Jr., impressed a lot of our festival goers this summer. Considered a pioneering guitarist alongside greats such as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Clark Jr. has raised many eyebrows with his ability to cut through styles of rock, blues, soul and R&B with seamless effort. He's released a number of EPs, and has his major label debut on Warner Brothers, August 9. Dubbed Bright Lights, Clark will have a full-length out in January of 2012.

CultsCults has transcended their Internet notoriety.Foster The People, is the hottest band in L.A., is on its way to stardom. Both bands made our ArtistToWatch this month.

Givers infectious energy and ridiculously catchy melodies are propelling this Louisiana outfit to greater and greater heights. It all started with Tiffany Lamson (vocalist and percussionist) crashing on the couch of Taylor Guarisco (vocalist and guitar) while at college in New Orleans

John Paul White and Joy Williams hail from very different parts of the country (Alabama and California, respectively), and have both have been free spirits when it comes to their solo music careers. But when the two crossed paths at a song-writing camp in Nashville, the rest, as they say, is history. Both knew that they had some special collaborative magic, and they've managed to mix their song-writing styles into something truly moving. Their full-length debut, Barton Hollow, was released just this past February, and its emotional chamber-folk showcases the perfectly matched vocals of the duo. Gaining notoriety after their single "Poison and Wine" was featured on Grey's Anatomy, White and Williams have also been building a strong fan base with their electrifying performances across the country.

The Head and the Heart was formed after five twenty somethings met at an open mic night in Seattle. Coming from school, day jobs, and other states to meet at an open mic night, the members of The Head and The Heart recognized they had something special right from the start.

Secret Sisters, XPN's Artist To Watch, November 2010

The Secret Sisters are off to a good start in the music world. Backed by the legendary Jack White, their debut album (produced by White) was just released via Third Man Records. It's full of old-time country and folk, complete with a Johnny Cash cover and the two sisters' take on "Wabash Cannonball."{readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

This Philly-based trio, originally formed while guitarist Tommy Siegel, pianist Ben Thornewill, and drummer Jesse Kristin were in college in Washington, D.C. – is described as whimsical, quirky, energetic indie band featuring melodic pop tunes driven by a sizzling rock momentum.

Singer-songwriter Lissie (Maurus), who was born and raised in the heart of Illinois right beside the Mississippi River, is readily known for her soulful, blues infused Americana tunes.

Born, raised, and tested in the mecca for American rock 'n' roll, Seattle, Washington, Minus The Bear is just about ready to explode. The 5-piece group, consisting of members Jake Snider (guitar, lead vocals), Dave Knudson (guitar), Alex Rose (keyboards, backing vocals), Cory Murchy (bass), and Erin Tate (drums), joined forces in 2001, and after a myriad of EP's and LP's, have finally found their true sound.

A product of New Orleans' historical and musical Treme neighborhood, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews has been a musician since he was smaller than the trombone he plays. A bandleader by the age of 16, Andrews attracts both older and younger generations of fans with his virtuosity and energy.

Banjo-spiked British folk-rockers Mumford & Sons released their breakout album to an overwhelmingly enthusiastic crowd of fans and critics. Striking the UK charts at #11, these guys are bound for bigger things. After bonding over a profound affinity for country, bluegrass and folk music, four friends Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane began

When Philadelphia's own Free Energy formed in 2008, they lived in relative darkness before deciding to step into the light a year ago. Upon their arrival, the five piece outfit was met with an enormous amount of buzz, and with the release of their debut album, they are taking the rock world by storm in 2010.

The debut album North Hills from the local LA quartet Dawes (featuring members of the old Record Collection Simon Dawes) fringes with a blend of classic 70's folk-rock and contemporary embellishments. Ultimately this clever mixture evokes a sense of nostalgia and refreshing anticipation all at the same time.

Robert Francis' official 2010 SXSW showcase will take place Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Stubbs BBQ in Austin, TX. Robert will be performing alongside Broken Social Scene, Band Of Horses, Besnard Lakes, The Soft Pack, and Drive By Truckers! Hope to see you in Austin!

First known as Cavil at Rest, World Cafe: Next artist, Local Natives, is the latest great find out this past year's SXSW fest. A dreamy pop outfit with afro-beats and favorable comparisons to indie greats Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend and Arcade Fire

With a beautifully confident style, Beach House's rich and atmospheric sound have brought them to the forefront of today's indie scene. The dream pop-rock duo formed in 2005 after a chance meeting between guitarist/keyboardist Alex Scally and vocalist/organist Victoria Legrand.

The XX, comprised of four young 20-year-olds from South London, has recently stormed the indie-pop scene with their dark, 80's new wave style. After meeting in London's Elliot School, which claims alumni such as Four Tet, Burial and Hot Chip, the band began toying around with what would become their critically acclaimed debut album.