World Cafe Guests

WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe ®

Listen Xpo

24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

Singer Songwriter Radio

Featuring classics from heritage troubadours to new musicians and bands in the singer-songwriter tradition.

Folk Radio

Folk music radio streaming on the web; Americana, Roots Music, recordings, and stories from folk's best.
Listen Live

Y La Bamba

  • Listen:
    Y La Bamba On World Cafe Hear the indie-pop group play songs from its forthcoming album, Oh February, and discuss its fusion of traditional Mexican music and alternative rock.
Y La Bamba Photo Credit: courtesy of artist
One of the most haunting yet captivating bands, Y La Bamba is an alternative latino ensemble hailing from Portland, Oregon. Formed in 2008, the band has enjoyed constant support from the Portland local music scene. Infusing traditional Mexican music and old school Mexican 30’s music with alternative rock, Y La Bamba guides listeners through an emotional journey where one can visit the finely tuned melodies of Latin-inspired music.
The lead vocalist, Luzelena Mendoza, is consistently applauded for her indistinguishable and powerful voice. Capturing the attention of local musicians in Portland, Mendoza was able to collaborate with various talented artists, many of whom ended up completing the Y La Bamba ensemble with her.

Impressed by their local success and distinct talent, Tender Loving Empire decided to sign this harmonious ensemble highly influenced by Mexican culture. The band has recently released a fresh EP entitled Oh February (Tender Loving Empire) and it has already garnered a plethora of critical praise. Produced by Chris Funk, the Decemberists’ band member who engineered the band’s 2010 debut album Lupon, Y La Bamba is well on its way to becoming a more recognizable group. Wrapping up an east coast tour with Grammy-nominated American folk rock band The Lumineers, Y La Bamba is set to continue promoting their music throughout the country with numerous other bands. Listen to their luscious and rich harmonies that continue to trap listeners across the nation.

Website | Facebook

World Cafe Session Setlist
COMO RATONES
OH FEBRUARY
OH FEBRUARY: MAD AS WE ARE

Recent Release: Oh February EP
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Label: Tender Loving Empire
Band Origin: Portland, Oregon

Non-COMM recap: Photos, audio, and setlist from the Mississippi Blues Project concert with Super Chikan and the Fighing...

Award winning Blues guitarist and singer Super Chikan and the Fighting Cocks made the trip from his home in Clarksdale, Mississippi to...Read More

Non-COMM recap: Photos, audio, and setlist from the Mississippi Blues Project concert with Homemade Jamz Blues...

Last Thursday during XPN’s Non-COMMvention, the Tupelo, Mississippi brothers and sister trio, the Homemade Jamz Blues Band,...Read More

RIP Ray Manzarek of The Doors (listen to songs from their Live at The Spectrum show in 1970)

Raymond Daniel Manczarek, Jr., known to most as Ray Manzarek, co-founder and keyboardist of The Doors from 1965 to 1973, has passed...Read More

Listen to Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee and Allison Crutchfield of Swearin’ cover Grimes via Rookie...

This is a pretty awesome track from the fun and talented Crutchfield sisters. For Rookie Mag’s “Theme Song” series,...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: Pete Yorn and J.D. King brought The Olms to World Cafe Live

Photo by Joe Del Tufo | JoeDelTufo.com Pete Yorn and J.D. King developed their new project The Olms out of a shared love of 60s psych...Read More