All Songs Considered: Tiny Desk Concerts
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Mohammad Reza Shajarian: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Every Tiny Desk Concert provides its own particular thrill, but it's not every day that we get to welcome one of NPR's 50 Great Voices to our offices. With the visit of the incredible, honey-voiced Mohammad Reza Shajarian from Iran, we lucked out by having him sing on not just any day, but on the biggest holiday of the Persian calendar: Nowruz, the New Year.Joined by three excellent collaborators, brothers Sohrab and Tahmoures Pournazeri (celebrated musicians in their own right as leaders of...
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Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
There's something endearing, old-timey and almost vaudevillian aboutBuddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale — even the way they bill themselves as "Buddy and Jim." Both veteran musicians are in love with country music in all its many forms and influences; their music incorporates the blues and bluegrass, rock 'n' roll and a good deal of craft.Buddy Miller is the guitar player to hire if you're playing heartfelt, not-so-shiny country-rock songs. Ask Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, with whom Miller...
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Olafur Arnalds, Live At Le Poisson Rouge
Icelandic composer and piano player Olafur Arnalds managed to squeeze a 28 piece orchestra onto the stage of Le Poisson Rouge...a nightclub in Greenwich Village. The orchestra is known as The LPR Ensemble and the music made that evening was simply magical.
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Nicola Benedetti: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
You might never tell by her youth or her warm and approachable demeanor, but 26-year-old Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti has already had an extraordinary career. Mentored by Yehudi Menuhin starting at age 10, Benedetti won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Award a decade ago — and, really, that was just a warm-up.Benedetti has since become an international performer of note: She's recently appeared as soloist with groups like the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and...
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Father Figures: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
In a small, packed Washington, D.C., living room late one December night, I heard a cacophony of horns, keys, drums and guitars that simply floored me. It was brash, zany, brainy, scary and danceable. At the end of a long year of amazing live music, this would turn out to be one of the most memorable concerts I'd seen.I walked up to Adam Schatz, the man behind the saxophone and chief instigator in Father Figures, and told him his band needed to play the Tiny Desk. How this music would...
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Omar Sosa & Paolo Fresu: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
You don't really listen to an Omar Sosa concert so much as experience it. The Cuban-born pianist's overall demeanor exudes a sense of calm and deep reflection, while a spiritual connection to music and his ancestors comes through in his piano playing.You can hear Sosa draw on more than 100 years of Cuban piano in the recognizable rhythms of his country's music. But in Sosa's hands, it's not all fiery and bombastic; he's most effective when he uses Afro-Cuban tradition as a guide to his...
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Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Live from SXSW
Sinewy and powerful as ever, and backed by his longtime band, Nick Cave works the crowd like a revival preacher at half-speed during NPR Music's SXSW showcase at Stubb's in Austin, Texas. Here are 3 songs from the set: "Jubilee Street" - "From Her To Eternity" and "Push The Sky Away."
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Waxahatchee Live from SXSW
Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield was tucked in a back room at Stubb's during SXSW on March 14. She opened her 25-minute set with a string of fragile solo songs, each more delicate than the last. This was interior music, made of guts and nerves and other viscera we don't share easily.
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Alt-J Live from SXSW
An easy way to embrace Alt-J's idiosyncratic charm is to witness the band live; hear how often Joe Newman sings quietly and subtly, and get a feel for the prettiness at the core of Alt-J's songs.
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Le1f Live from SXSW
Le1f is a New Yorker and Wesleyan graduate who raps, produces and happens to be observably out of the closet. Hisboundless, arty individuality pops out over every jittery beat; he stands out in virtually every possible way
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Youth Lagoon Live from SXSW
Youth Lagoon's Trevor Powers is the band's sole member. He layers strange but alluring synth textures under quirky melodies and simple pop beats, in the process creating an expansive and endlessly engrossing world of sonic curiosities.
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Efterklang: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Bands with big ideas work well at the Tiny Desk. Efterklang is a Danish group whose recent album Piramida took its members to an abandoned mining town between the North Pole and Norway. There, they recorded sounds of empty oil tanks, old pianos and pretty much anything they could strike or record.It's precisely that creative energy that led to Efterklang ransacking our kitchen utensils and desks in search of sound-making material. The band is a joy to witness live with a small orchestra, but...
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Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Live From The Rock And Roll...
Hear the psych-rock trio douse a sold-out Washington, D.C., crowd in an epic wash of guitar noise during an hour-long performance at the Rock and Roll Hotel.
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Foxygen, Live From The Rock And Roll Hotel, 2013
Hear the trippy pop group give a thrilling, sometimes chaotic live performance at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, D.C. Along the way, Foxygen channels everyone from The Velvet Underground to The Rolling Stones and Ramones.
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Josh Ritter, Live At Le Poisson Rouge, 2013
Ritter's new album, The Beast in Its Tracks, is by any definition a breakup record; he wrote it following his own divorce, and every song finds him picking through a relationship's wreckage in pursuit of root causes and a way forward. Hear him perform the album's songs live from New York City.
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Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
You're about to watch one of the best fiddlers on the planet and a subtle guitar master work their magic. For too many of us, Irish music is something that merely gets trotted out around this time of year, associated with St. Patrick's Day and the coming of spring — and made a cliche by commercialism and whatever other shallow notions make cliches what they are.But for a moment, stop, put aside your notion of jigs and reels, and just listen. Martin Hayes plays his fiddle with an exquisite...
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The Lone Bellow: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
After hearing The Lone Bellow's self-titled debut, I couldn't wait to play it for friends and on All Songs Considered — I knew people would love it. Still, honestly, I was unprepared for the stunning power of the band's live show. When you see this Tiny Desk Concert, I'm sure you'll experience the same sensation I did. The Lone Bellow features three brilliant players, with Zach Williams singing every word as if it's the last time he'll ever get the chance. He's got a bit of Springsteen in...
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Mary Halvorson Quintet: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Today, when you see a saxophonist and a trumpeter in front of a jazz group, it's par for the course. It's a particular combination that's defined many landmark recordings: Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry, John Coltrane andMiles Davis. Done right, it's a classic meat-and-potatoes sound: open to reinvention, comfortable with tradition.Guitarist Mary Halvorson didn't come to this standard practice just by playing standards. As a sidewoman, she's often tapped...
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Night Beds: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Winston Yellen didn't start singing until he was 18 — he's 23 now — but he's already got one of 2013's most arresting new voices. As the singer for the country-rock group Night Beds, Yellen often performs a cappella, with tremendous soul and nuance.We thought Yellen might show up for this Tiny Desk set by himself — all the better to show off that amazing voice, with maybe just his own guitar as backup. But he opted to go all-in with the full Night Beds touring band, including lap steel and...
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The xx: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
It's easy to think of The xx as a fashionable band: Its members have a sleek all-in-black look, its typography and cover art is coolly and distinctively styled, and the group itself has been showered with validation, including Britain's 2010 Mercury Prize. But beneath all that tightly controlled image-making lays music that's raw and vulnerable; shy, worried tentativeness is wired into a sound that shimmers powerfully, but remains as fragile and delicate as a soap bubble.The xx's second...
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Cantus: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Is there some kind of weird vocal vortex in Minnesota? The state turns out so many excellent choral groups — at the school, church and professional levels — that it can arguably be dubbed the choral center of the U.S.The members of the male vocal ensemble called Cantus, who huddled around Bob Boilen's desk to sing for us, hail from that vortex — specifically Minneapolis-St. Paul.A quick note on the group's name, because it's more appropriate than you might think. "Cantus" means "singing" in...
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Of Montreal: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
About halfway into Of Montreal's Tiny Desk Concert in the NPR Music offices, I showed a friend a Post-It note on which I'd just scribbled, "Was I wrong to expect more of a decadent, pan-sexual carnival?" I'd thought we were going to need to throw plastic sheeting over our desks, like at a GWAR concert, and there we were, watching a miniaturized Of Montreal — just Kevin Barnes solo, albeit with the assistance of singer Rebecca Cash and guitarist Bryan Poole for "Feminine Effects" — as it...
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Black Prairie: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
The charming roots-folk band Black Prairie got its start as an outlet for The Decemberists' Chris Funk and Nate Query, who wanted an outlet for some of their rootsy, mostly instrumental string-band wanderings. As the new group expanded to incorporate more members — including another wayward Decemberist, Jenny Conlee, on accordion — its sound has grown as well, with Annalisa Tornfelt's sweetly countrified vocals and violin lending Black Prairie's songs an added dimension.As if to flesh out...
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La Santa Cecelia Live From globalFEST 2013
The Los Angeles band, named after the patron saint of musicians, blends Latin styles such as cumbia, norteo and ranchera. Hear La Santa Cecilia, recorded live in concert from New York City's Webster Hall.
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Christine Salem Live From globalFEST 2013
Hear the extraordinary singer from the Indian Ocean island of Reunion as she performs with her band, recorded live at Webster Hall in New York City.
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Oliver Mtukudzi And The Black Spirits
Hear one of Zimbabwe's greatest artists, recorded live in concert with his band The Black Spirits at New York City's Webster Hall.
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Lucius: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
We brought Lucius to the Tiny Desk because I fell in love with one joyous, catchy song: "Don't Just Sit There." That's all I had to go on — I'd never seen the group live — and though I expected fun, we also got fabulous. Not only are Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig a winning singing duo, but their charisma and charm helps turn good pop songwriting into an endearing performance.Both Berklee School of Music alumni, the two women moved to a Victorian home they'd found on Craigslist. As it turns...
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Miguel: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Miguel turned up in the NPR Music offices early one morning, after playing a show late the night before. He appeared light and calm, and betrayed no hint that he was nervous about stripping his highly produced hits down to their bones. Accompanied by just his guitarist, Dru DeCaro, Miguel eschewed flash and went big on small gestures — ingratiating ad libs, only one full spin and voice control that kept the songs close to his chest but emotive enough to translate to the back of the room. He...
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The Polyphonic Spree: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
This year marks the tenth anniversary for The Polyphonic Spree's annual holiday music show - an extravaganza they've held in Dallas each December - and the band is celebrating it with a live tour and new CD called Holidaydream, a collection of reworked versions of classics such as "Do You Hear What I Hear" and "White Christmas."On a recent morning, The Polyphonic Spree rolled up to NPR in their packed-to-the-gills bus and unloaded a small army of horn players, singers, and assorted gear for...
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Alt-J: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
There's mystery in the music of Alt-J: The band's songs are wrapped in enigmatic textures, with swift shifts in arrangements inside every song and an oddness to the drums. Mere glimpses of lyrics are discernible, even after listening over and over — and if you can decipher the words, the meanings don't necessarily follow immediately. Still, those words reside at the core of Alt-J, and they're cinematic and stunning and sometimes brutal.Seeing Alt-J live in concert — or here at the Tiny Desk...
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Lyle Lovett: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
For all of Lyle Lovett's considerable artistic gifts — a distinctive voice, easygoing charisma, rare talent for wordplay — his greatest attribute may be the way he radiates infectious calm. He's a one-time tabloid fixture who writes wry, bittersweet songs of longing, but Lovett in person is like a vortex into which stress and drama disappear. That's especially true now that he's fulfilled his obligations to his longtime record label: Lovett not only showed up at NPR Music's offices without...
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Daniel Bachman: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
For an early-twentysomething, Daniel Bachman has roots buried deep. His approach to the American Primitive style of acoustic guitar — a sonically vivid fingerpicking technique developed by John Fahey and expanded by the likes of Robbie Basho and, later, Jack Rose and Glenn Jones — is conversational and uplifting, much like the man himself. After a rousing performance of "Honeysuckle Reel" from a forthcoming seven-inch single, however, Bachman turned beet-red in the NPR Music office and said,...
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Anais Mitchell: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Her voice is soft and sweet, her guitar work deft and evocative, but Anas Mitchell is a songwriting storyteller first and foremost. Robbed of a gift for melody and poetry, Mitchell would probably (and may yet) write some tremendous novels. Her ambitious recent discography bears out that notion: The 2010 album version of her star-packed folk opera Hadestown recasts Greek legend in America, while this year's Young Man in America turns her thoughts to the pitfalls of modern life, inspired in...
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Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Tears and laughter in the span of about 15 minutes — that's what's so astonishing about these Macklemore & Ryan Lewis songs.The first time I heard "Same Love," it brought tears to the eyes of a roomful of people, myself included. The song is about equality, specifically gay rights, with an unambiguous message: "It's human rights for everybody / There is no difference." Then, in a flip of a backing-track beat, Macklemore (a.k.a. Ben Haggerty) sings about wearing a velour jumpsuit and some...
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Taken By Trees: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
The power of Taken by Trees lies in understatement. Victoria Bergsman sings almost as if she doesn't care — but that contrast to almost every other singer I know is what makes me hear her words, and grants me space to think about her emotions. It's almost as if she etches the lines of a song and leaves listeners to fill in the rest.In 2009, Taken by Trees put out one of my favorite records of that decade, East of Eden. The album explored and was inspired by a visit to Pakistan, while her new...
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Ben Gibbard: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Ben Gibbard has spent so much time at the head of various bands —Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, All-Time Quarterback — that it's easy to forget how well his sweetly brainy songs work in a solo acoustic setting. His melodies are sturdy enough to withstand skeletal arrangements, and though his persona is unassuming by nature, he remains a charismatic and charming live performer.Gibbard just released a solo album, Former Lives, which he's said is a repository for material that didn't...
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Martha Wainwright: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Martha Wainwright's songs examine uncomfortable moments and life experiences gone wrong, but as she acknowledges in between songs at this Tiny Desk Concert, she often has to fudge her own life story to make the details more unsettling. ("Take everything with a grain of salt," she says, "except the good stuff.") What she does is the opposite of sugarcoating: She roughs up life's smooth spots, then digs her fingertips into the cracks that form.Wainwright's new album, Come Home to Mama,...
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Andy Stott: Live From Moogfest 2012
The U.K. producer is known for deep, brooding techno that's shrouded in fuzzy tones. His latest album, Luxury Problems, is dark, textural and balanced with haunting, elegant vocals. Here, Stott performs live at Moogfest 2012 in Asheville, N.C.
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Flaco Jimenez: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Watching Flaco Jimenez play his button accordion is like looking back in time. His grandfather started playing an accordion in cantinas and family parties along the Texas/Mexican border around the late 1800s. Then Flaco's dad, Santiago Jimenez Sr., carried on the family tradition when he released his first record in 1936.Two of the songs you hear Flaco Jimenez play in this Tiny Desk Concert are traditional German polkas; they were popular in the mid-1800s as German immigrants settled in...
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Jason Lytle: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Sometimes, it's hard to know what constitutes a band. Billy Corgan wrote and sang all the songs for The Smashing Pumkpins and still records under the name, even though the other original members are long gone. Same deal with James Mercer and The Shins. Jason Lytle, on the other hand, spent nearly 15 years leading Grandaddy, dissolved the group in 2006 and decided to continue as a solo artist, even though he wrote, sang and recorded Grandaddy's songs almost entirely on his own.You've got to...
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Morton Subotnick: Silver Apples Of The Moon, Live At...
Morton Subotnick released the first all-electronic album, Silver Apples of the Moon, in 1967. Last Friday, he returned to Moogfest 2012 in Asheville, N.C., to perform the whole thing live. Hear the performance in its entirety.
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Lord Huron: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Lord Huron is a band for just about anyone: The rich harmonies are welcoming, the lyrics relatable and the live performances thrilling. The group started out as a solo project for singer Ben Schneider, but is now a full assortment of terrific musicians, all based in Los Angeles.The band's first album, Lonesome Dreams, just came out — you might have seen the Western-style film that accompanied the first single, "Time to Run," which Scheider describes as, "A tragic tale of the foolish things a...
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Dirty Three: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Every member ofDirty Threehas a highly respectable career outside of the band: Violinist Warren Ellis works closely withNick Cave, drummerJim Whiteis a sought-after collaborator with an instantly recognizable sound, and guitaristMick Turnerhas released a string of gorgeous instrumental solo albums when he's not working as a visual artist. But when the three musicians share a stage as Dirty Three — as they've done on and off for 20 years now — the result can be both beautiful and bonkers, as...
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Spirit Family Reunion: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Spirit Family Reunionwas my favorite find atthis year's Newport Folk Festival. The group makes music I'd call "new old-timey," but which its members call "open-door gospel" — gospel music that's not tied to any particular religious denomination.You'll hear fiddle, banjo, guitar and washboard, all gathered around a single microphone in an old-style tradition. An unsigned band living in Brooklyn, Spirit Family Reunion makes music filled with joy, perfect for a Tiny Desk Concert. Its...
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Yva Las Vegass: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
At NPR Music, we get stacks of CDs in the mail, as well as countless links to music streams, from bands trying to stand out and get some attention. It's safe to say that we all share similar previewing procedures: At some point, we just sit and listen.What are we listening for? I can't speak for the others, but I'm constantly in search of music I haven't heard, but which sounds as if it's been in my life forever.That's exactly what happened when I put on Yva Las Vegass' album, I was born in...
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Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra: Tiny Desk...
Theatre Is Evil is genius, savvy pop filled with smart storytelling that won't let go. Its songs' fervor is the product of a singer armed with intensity and musicians who can match it. Watch Palmer and her band perform "The Killing Type," "Want It Back" and the appropriately titled "Ukulele Anthem."
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Renaud Garcia-Fons: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Double bassist Renaud Garcia-Fons was destined to create music that spans genres and borders: He was born in France to a family with roots in the Catalonia region of Spain, and he's fluent in French, Spanish and English. Classical, jazz and flamenco represent equal parts of his musical DNA, and his technique reflects the delicate arco stylings of concert halls, the deep groove of jazz and the raw vitality of flamenco.This appearance behind Bob Boilen's desk captures more than just...
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Rufus Wainwright: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
We'd never tried to squeeze a piano behind the Tiny Desk, but when I saw a chance to have Rufus Wainwright play here, I wouldn't — and he probably wouldn't — have had it any other way. Somehow, we managed to fit a glossy black Yamaha upright against my full bookshelves. Then we tuned it and waited for some glorious moments.Wainwright was touring behind his new album, Out of the Game, and had scheduled a more formal appearance at Wolf Trap in Virginia that evening. Here, sporting a T-shirt...
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Passion Pit: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
by STEPHEN THOMPSONPassion Pit's Michael Angelakos is a fussy sonic craftsman: A keyboardist and singer who started out working solo on his laptop, he now makes fizzily catchy electro-pop that orbits around monster hooks. He's not, in other words, the first musician you'd associate with a stripped-down performance behind NPR Music's Tiny Desk, where Technicolor production tends to give way to unfiltered voices and bare instrumental essentials. But Angelakos, a gifted songwriter who's been...
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The Zombies: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Predicting music that will survive the ages just isn't possible. In a stripped-down performance at the NPR Music office, The Zombies founding members Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone still have the chemistry that began 51 years ago.She's Not There""Any Other Way""Time of the Season""I Don't Believe In Miracles"
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Robert Cray: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Bringing blues music to the Top 40 isn't easy: Only a handful of musicians have done it in the 30 years Robert Cray has spent winning awards, selling millions of records and otherwise kicking around on the national stage. But Cray has, crossing over from blues-club stages to arenas with the double-platinum 1986 album Strong Persuader and its single "Smoking Gun," and has continued to stick around as one of the most reliably gifted and accessible guitarists around.For all the attention Cray...
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Antibalas: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
There just aren't many bands like Antibalas. These are jazz players making dance music: Their music is big and fun, and their guiding spirit is Fela Kuti, the brilliant big-band leader and Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer. Afrobeat is a musical style featuring nearly endless songs, mixing funk and jazz, grooves and riffs, with the rhythm carried by not only the drums, but everyone. Everyone — horn players, bass players, guitarists — plays rhythm in Afrobeat music.Antibalas (Spanish for...
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Kat Edmonson: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
We first met Kat Edmonson nearly four years ago, when All Songs Considered put out a challenge to songwriters on the eve of Barack Obama's inauguration. We asked musicians around the country to capture the moment in song, and Edmonson, a native of Texas, wrote and sent us "Be the Change." It was clearly the best song we received, and she sang it with a unique voice and wonderful phrasing — so spot on. Later, we loved her cover of the George Gershwin-DuBose Heyward standard...
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The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
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The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
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The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
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The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
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The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
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The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
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The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
-
The Tallest Man On Earth Live From The Newport Folk...
Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records, with an emphasis on this summer's terrific 'There's No Leaving Now.'
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Beth Orton: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from Beth Orton's Tiny Desk Concert. Known for mixing folk and electronic music, Orton unveils three new songs with just an acoustic guitar. Her next album, Sugaring Season, doesn't come out until Oct. 2, so consider this a sneak preview — alongside a lovely, spare version of 1999's "Sweetest Decline." To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Sharon Van Etten, Live At Newport, 2012
All I CanWarsawSave YourselfKevin's WayMagic ChordsGive OutAskLife Of His OwnLeonardSerpentsI'm Wrong
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Sigur R?s, Live In Concert From Celebrate Brooklyn
It's not hyperbolic to suggest that Sigur Rs is one of the world's greatest live bands, creating a hypnotic, almost overwhelming experience. Hear the group, back on tour after four years, as it plays a sweeping two-hour set at Brooklyn's Prospect Park Bandshell during Celebrate Brooklyn recorded live on July 31, 2012.Set List:"Ekki mkk""Var""N batter"" Gr""Vaka" (Untitled 1)"Sglpur""Svefn-g-englar""Virar vel til loftrsa""Hopppolla""Med blnasir""Olsen...
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The Walkmen: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from The Walkmen's Tiny Desk Concert. Singer Hamilton Leithauser may wield an acoustic guitar in these three songs, but this is no awkward attempt to shoehorn booming rock anthems into arrangements that don't suit them. It's clear that these guys were making the Tiny Desk accommodate their sound rather than the other way around. To watch the video, and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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The Head & The Heart Live From The Newport Folk Festival
Impeccable, sweet-voiced folk-pop hangs heavy over the Pacific Northwest — it's infused in every droplet of drizzle. But The Head and the Heart is a particularly lovable practitioner, making a nationwide name for itself alongside the harmony-rich likes of Fleet Foxes. Here, the band performs at the 2012 Newport Folk Festival, recorded live on Sunday, July 29 in Newport, R.I. For more of NPR's coverage of the Newport Folk Festival visit www.npr.org/newportfolk
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tUnE-yArDs Live From The Newport Folk Festival
tUnE-yArDs' strange, joyous concoction is wild, rhythmic, layered and swirling with surprises. Leader Merrill Garbus forms a cut-up collage of coos, howls and bold statements of purpose, but her live shows fan out into epic rave-ups, complete with a pair of saxophonists. tUnE-yArDs performs here as part of the 2012 Newport Folk Festival, recorded live on Sunday, July 29 in Newport, R.I. For more of NPR's coverage of the Newport Folk Festival visit www.npr.org/newportfolk.
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Megafaun Live From The Newport Folk Festival
The North Carolina band has a knack for blending classic-rock traditionalism with a real ear for experimentation. The songs on last year's self-titled album can whisper or rage, meander or kick. Megafaun performs here as part of the 2012 Newport Folk Festival, recorded live on Friday, July 27 in Newport, R.I. For more of NPR's coverage of the Newport Folk Festival visit www.npr.org/newportfolk.
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Blitzen Trapper Live From The Newport Folk Festival
Blitzen Trapper's sixth album, last year's American Goldwing, finds the group settling ever further into a breezy classic-rock vibe. But sharp edges poke out, as the Portland, Ore., band finds ways to indulge its gift for psychedelic freakouts. Here, Blitzen Trapper performs live in Newport, R.I. For more of NPR's coverage of the Newport Folk Festival, visit www.npr.org/newportfolk.
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First Aid Kit Live From The Newport Folk Festival
Early this year, the Swedish sister act broke through with a lovely album called The Lion's Roar, which mixes wearily winsome mountain music with a welcome sunny side in tracks like "Emmylou" — an ode to musical couples seemingly made for the Newport crowd. First Aid Kit performs here as part of the 2012 Newport Folk Festival, recorded live on Saturday, July 28 in Newport, R.I. For more of NPR's coverage of the Newport Folk Festival, visit www.npr.org/newportfolk.
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Dawes Live From The Newport Folk Festival
The L.A. band Dawes carries a serious torch for the greatest moments of rock's collision with folk and country. The group, a Newport staple, benefits from its heart-on-sleeve warmth and willingness to explore bold concepts. Dawes performs here as part of the 2012 Newport Folk Festival, recorded live on Saturday, July 28 in Newport, R.I. Find NPR's complete coverage of the Newport Folk Festival at www.npr.org/newportfolk
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Alabama Shakes Live From The Newport Folk Festival
In concert, the soulful blues-rock band's music reached ecstatic, rafter-shaking heights. Singer Brittany Howard has the bearing, power and charisma of a star twice her age, but on stage, she's positively dominant.Here, the band performs at the 2012 Newport Folk Festival, recorded live on Saturday, July 28 in Newport, R.I. Find NPR's complete Newport Folk Festival coverage at www.npr.org/newportfolk.
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Janet Feder: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from Janet Feder's Tiny Desk Concert.Guitarist Janet Feder marries classical technique and folk song structures with a curiosity and imagination that lets her custom nylon-string baritone electric take on otherworldly textures and sounds.To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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The Milk Carton Kids: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from the Milk Carton Kids' Tiny Desk Concert. Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale get a lot done with subtle gestures, but there's real sophistication to the three gorgeous, harmony-rich folk-pop songs they recently performed in the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Best Coast, Live From The 9:30 Club
Hear the band recorded live in concert from the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. Best Coast is currently on tour for its latest record 'The Only Place,' acaptivating collection of sparkling pop."The End""Crazy For You""Goodbye""Last Year""Summer Mood""The Only Place""No One Like You""How They Want Me To Be""Why I Cry""Dreaming My Life Away""Let's Go Home""Our Deal""When The Sun Don't Shine""Do You Love Me Like You Used To""Something In The Way""I Want To""Sun Was High (So Was I)""When I'm With...
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Souad Massi: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Audio from Souad Massi's Tiny Desk Concert. A soulful yet steely singer-songwriter from Algeria charts her own course, from withstanding death threats in her native country to selling hundreds of thousands of records around the globe. Hear her perform four songs in the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Laura Marling: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from Laura Marling's Tiny Desk Concert. In this performance at the NPR Music offices, two pieces from Laura Marling's newest record, 2011's 'A Creature I Don't Know,' bookend a gorgeous new song called "Once." She'd never even recorded "Once," let alone released it, so consider this performance a premiere of sorts. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Brandi Carlile: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
In the tradition of the best bluesy folk-rock singers who preceded her (think Janis Joplin or Melissa Etheridge, but with less bluster than either), Carlile sings with restrained power and from-the-gut force. Here, she and her band perform three tremendously assured songs from Bear Creek.
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Exitmusic: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Exitmusic's Tiny Desk Concert. The songs of Exitmusic are so romantically rich, they could envelop a cavernous hall. Luckily, the band didn't defang that cinematic power and anguish in the intimate confines of the NPR Music offices. Here, Exitmusic plays a beautifully buzzing set, marked by vocal nuance and stirring melodies. To watch the video, and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Reggie Watts: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from Reggie Watts' Tiny Desk Concert. Comedian and musician Reggie Watts recently visited the NPR Music offices with a simple setup of loop and delay pedals and a microphone. But the spontaneous improvisations he created by building up layers of sound and melody provide a magical showcase for his soulful musicianship and deadpan humor. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Mariachi El Bronx: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from Mariachi El Bronx' Tiny Desk Concert. Even though its members started out as the L.A. punk band The Bronx, Mariachi El Bronx isn't faking it. They play with just right amount of passion and pathos, strum as if they've studied the masters and don't look out of place in those pants and little jackets. Watch a fun set at the NPR offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Glen Hansard: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from Glen Hansard's Tiny Desk Concert. While the new 'Rhythm and Repose' feels like a low-key '70ssinger-songwriter record (think Cat Stevens or Van Morrison), thisfive-song set gives Hansard a chance to flex his neck muscles a bit, ashe lends blustery force to an assortment of new songs and deep cuts. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Daniel Johnston: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from Daniel Johnston's Tiny Desk Concert. A troubled soul with a talent for writing honest, disarmingly directsongs, Johnston performs in the NPR Music offices. His short set closeswith one of his classics: "True Love Will Find You in the End." To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom: Tiny Desk Concert (audio)
Music from Boom Tic Boom's Tiny Desk Concert. The drummer is an awfully busy player — as likely to improvise with jazz musicians as she is to back Brandi Carlile — but in recent years, she's carved out time to write music for her own group. A few tunes are dedicated to friends like her first teacher, a "sometimes great guy." To watch the video, and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Kelly Hogan: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Kelly Hogan's Tiny Desk Concert. Hogan brings confidence and unflappable professionalism to her new album, I Like to Keep Myself in Pain. That carries over to this performance in the NPR Music offices, as she and her ace band knock out three songs with seeming effortlessness and easygoing charm. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Patrick Watson: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Patrick Watson's Tiny Desk Concert. With a gifted backing band on hand to help flesh out three songs from Adventures in Your Own Backyard, Watson conducts a swirl of interlocking loveliness that still finds room for surprises, from a singing saw to a microphone that makes his voice sound as if it's bouncing off some faraway satellite. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Canadian Brass: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Canadian Brass' Tiny Desk Concert. Chuck Daellenbach and his fresh-faced players, each with red-striped sneakers and matching outfits, strolled into the NPR Music offices, took their places behind Bob Boilen's desk and started blowing as if they'd played this peculiar gig a hundred times. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Yann Tiersen: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Yann Tiersen's Tiny Desk Concert. The French singer and multi-instrumentalist just released a new album called Skyline, and it captures his aesthetic perfectly: Its rich, buzzy, liltingly eccentric pop music is constructed from lots of sweet, intricate pieces. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Arborea: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Arborea's Tiny Desk Concert. While clearly rooted in acoustic traditions, the folk music of Arborea stands out for its calm beauty and rough edges. The duo incorporates harmonium, electric guitars played with an EBow, and a Ban-Jammer — a hybrid instrument that's part banjo, part mountain dulcimer. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Pedro Soler and Gaspar Claus: Tiny Desk Concert (audio...
Music from Pedro Soler and Gaspar Claus' Tiny Desk Concert. The improvisational music of father and son Pedro Soler and Gaspar Claus functions as a beautiful conversation. Soler plays a delicate flamenco guitar, while Claus turns the cello into an exquisitely expressive voice. The two bring that spirit to their intimate performance in the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Spiritualized In Concert
Spiritualized, led by Jason Pierce (a.k.a. J. Spaceman), has experienced agony, recovery, redemption and two near-death experiences in its 13 years as a band. Hear it explode into space-rock bliss at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. in a concert recorded live on May 10, 2012.Set List:"Hey Jane""Lord Let It Rain On Me""Headin' for the Top Now""Walkin' with Jesus""Oh Baby""Rated X""Born Never Asked""Electric Mainline""Soul on Fire""I Am What I Am""Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in...
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Kishi Bashi: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Kishi Bashi's Tiny Desk Concert. K Ishibashi is a master of building his music from the ground up, from live violin loops to layered singing to beatboxing, in order to create pocket symphonies steeped in classical music and 21st-century pop. He brings that ingenuity and songcraft to the Tiny Desk at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subsribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit NPR.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Endangered Blood: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Endangered Blood's Tiny Desk Concert. The Brooklyn jazz quartet began by playing benefit concerts for an ill friend, but the band soon realized it had potential for more. Endangered Blood's music draws from post-bop, 20th-century chromaticism and New Orleans funeral marches, showcasing compositions both cerebral and gritty. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Kishi Bashi In Concert
Juggling violin, beatboxing and both English and Japanese vocals, Kishi Bashi is a one-man orchestra who blends a mess of ingredients into a symphony of loop-pedaled wonders. Watch him build his music one melody at a time, live in concert at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. on April 3, 2012.Set List:"Atticus, In The Desert""Bright Whites""I Am The Antichrist To You""It All Began With A Burst""Manchester"
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Lost In The Trees In Concert
Lost in the Trees finds beauty in the darkest places, mixing breathtaking string arrangements with acoustic guitars to tell tragic stories of depression, suicide and family strife. The band performed its deeply affecting songs, recorded live from Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on April 11, 2012.Set List:"Walk Around the Lake""Red""Tall Ceilings""An Artist's Song""This Dead Bird Is Beautiful""Garden""Song for the Painter""Golden Eyelids""Neither Here Nor There""Fireplace""All Alone In An...
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Nathan Salsburg: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Nathan Salsburg's Tiny Desk Concert. With his brilliant debut, Affirmed, Salsburg is likely to become one of those names we all associate with American folk guitar. Here, he showcases his intricate and melodic fingerpicking in two instrumental songs inspired by the stories of racehorses from the Kentucky Derby. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Hospitality: Tiny Desk Concert
Music from Hospitality's Tiny Desk Concert. The New York band Hospitality makes music that's unmistakably friendly and welcoming — it's hug-and-a-handshake pop that lives up to its name by jangling and chiming comfortably. The group doesn't overwhelm so muchas it wears listeners down with a subtle charm offensive. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Cowboy Junkies: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Cowboy Junkies' Tiny Desk Concert. Make a list of bands with integrity, still highly respected and still making music after 25 years, and that list will have Cowboy Junkies near the top. The band remains prolific, tender and poignant, as evidenced by this performance at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Of Montreal In Concert
The Athens, Ga., rock group Of Montreal has built its reputation on wildly theatrical live performances. Sprung from the twisted imagination of flamboyant frontman Kevin Barnes, the band's shows include elaborate costumes and stage sets, synchronized dancing and massive bursts of psychedelic lighting effects. For Of Montreal's latest album, Paralytic Stalks, Barnes and his bandmates call their tour and stage show "hallucinatory and transportive," with more than a dozen projection screens and...
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Of Montreal In Concert
The Athens, Ga., rock group Of Montreal has built its reputation on wildly theatrical live performances. Sprung from the twisted imagination of flamboyant frontman Kevin Barnes, the band's shows include elaborate costumes and stage sets, synchronized dancing and massive bursts of psychedelic lighting effects. For Of Montreal's latest album, Paralytic Stalks, Barnes and his bandmates call their tour and stage show "hallucinatory and transportive," with more than a dozen projection screens and...
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Cowboy Junkies: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Cowboy Junkies' Tiny Desk Concert. Make a list of bands with integrity, still highly respected and still making music after 25 years, and that list will have Cowboy Junkies near the top. The band remains prolific, tender and poignant, as evidenced by this performance at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Hospitality: Tiny Desk Concert
Music from Hospitality's Tiny Desk Concert. The New York band Hospitality makes music that's unmistakably friendly and welcoming — it's hug-and-a-handshake pop that lives up to its name by jangling and chiming comfortably. The group doesn't overwhelm so muchas it wears listeners down with a subtle charm offensive. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Jolie Holland: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Jolie Holland's Tiny Desk Concert. It'll take just a few seconds to find out if you're likely to fall in love with Jolie Holland. In this intimate performance at the NPR Music offices, Holland plays songs from 2011's Pint of Blood with an unadorned style that makes her lyrics and voice all the more touching. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Soweto Gospel Choir: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Soweto Gospel Choir's Tiny Desk Concert. Singing in a number of South African languages, as well as English, Soweto Gospel Choir fuses the praise music of many Christian cultures, with nods to traditional African songs of celebration — complete with occasional clicks and bird songs. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Novalima: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Novalima's Tiny Desk Concert performance. Novalima infuses traditional Peruvian music with new life by adding electronic sounds to create songs that sound both familiar and new. In this performance at the NPR Music offices, the band plays in a lean, funky configuration that gets the room grooving along. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Caveman: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Caveman's Tiny Desk Concert. Caveman writes guitar-based pop songs full of subtlety and space and melodies you can carry around in your head. The band's songcraft and handcrafted instruments are on display in this performance at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Kathleen Edwards: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Kathleen Edwards' Tiny Desk Concert. Edwards isn't a flashy singer-songwriter, but her music sticks: Easygoing and accessible, it burrows in deep and then stays put. In the NPR Music offices, she sings four sweet, warm, relatable songs that soothe as they nourish. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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So Percussion: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from So Percussion's Tiny Desk Concert. The minute its members were ensconced in our office, So Percussion started borrowing items to add to its set, from an amplified cactus and bells to a mug filled with spare change and an empty padded envelope. The ensemble performs original pieces and the works of John Cage at the Tiny Desk. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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First Aid Kit: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from First Aid Kit's Tiny Desk Concert. Composed of two young Swedish sisters whose charming, folk-infused pop music lulls and enchants, First Aid Kit nods to late-'60s and early-'70s bands like Crosby, Stills & Nash. Watch the pair perform three songs from The Lion's Roar. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Kayhan Kalhor: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Kayhan Kalhor's Tiny Desk Concert. A soulful master musician from Iran, Kayhan Kalhor gives a beautiful and introspective performance to celebrate the Persian New Year, Nowruz — and shows us something about the art of improvisation. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Late Night Dispatches From SXSW 2012: Saturday
The final night at the South By Southwest music conference offered our team in Austin new favorites, classic performances and a few welcome surprises.
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Late Night Dispatches From SXSW 2012: Friday
Day three at South by Southwest included death metal, hip-hop from Seattle, a set from the band with the number one song in the country and the emergence of a newAll Songsfavorite.
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Late Night Dispatches From SXSW 2012: Thursday
On Thursday at SXSW, our intrepid team hosted a day party, caught two performances by Bruce Springsteen and experienced a whole lot of emotion.
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SXSW 2012: Lower Dens In Concert
Lower Dens' music is about mood more than stage-stalking showmanship: Singer Jana Hunter's icy-cool demeanor sets a hauntingly atmospheric tone that's all about mystery, washes of guitar-saturated noise and the difficult emotions that lie, unexpressed, beneath the surface. Mixing songs from 2010's majestic Twin Hand Movement with material from the hotly anticipated Nootropics, Lower Dens seethed through a gorgeous, brooding set at NPR Music's SXSW day party, held Thursday at The Parish in...
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SXSW 2012: Polica In Concert
Not many bands can boast two drummersandan uncluttered sound, but Polica made it work at NPR Music's SXSW day party, held Thursday at The Parish in Austin, Texas. At The Parish, the band toned down the heavily manipulated vocals of Channy Leaneagh — on the newGive You the Ghost, her voice slides lithely all over the place — to reveal her as a bold, even ferocious singer in her own right. Hear the band, recorded live from Austin on March 15, 2012.
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SXSW 2012: Sugar Tongue Slim In Concert
The first thing that jumps out about rising rapper Sugar Tongue Slim is his playful, funny, generous spirit. Surrounded by a lively and crackling backing band — a laptop, turntables, bass and a full drum kit — STS cut a smiling and conspiratorial figure on stage at NPR Music's SXSW day party, held Thursday at The Parish in Austin, Texas on March 15, 2012.Language Advisory: This is a live concert recording, and may contain languagenotsuitable for all audiences.
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SXSW 2012: La Vida Boheme In Concert
Backs to the stage, shirts drenched and spattered with blue paint, La Vida Boheme opened NPR Music's SXSW day party in kinetically jumpy style Thursday.A boundlessly gleeful young band, La Vida Boheme invigorates Latin rock with the grit and viscera of punk and the churning drive of dance music. Hear the band perform live at The Parish during the South by Southwest music festival on March 15, 2012.
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Late Night Dispatches From SXSW 2012: Wednesday
Highlights from day one at SXSW included discoveries, old favorites and NPR Music's official showcase at Stubbs, featuring the return of Fiona Apple.
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SXSW 2012: Andrew Bird In Concert
Classically trained and once known as a purveyor of old-time hot jazz, Andrew Bird is now the picture of indie-pop sophistication, known for employing $10 words and the clearest, most identifiable whistle in the business. Naturally, both came into play when Bird took the Stubb's stage as the headliner of NPR Music's SXSW showcase in Austin, Texas on March 14, 2012.
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SXSW 2012: Alabama Shakes In Concert
Led by Brittany Howard, one of the most charismatic up-and-coming singers in the business, the group enjoyed an auspicious breakthrough with a self-titled record last year. But this is a full, tight, ridiculously proficient rock/soul band with remarkable live chemistry and a strong, consistent catalog.A staple of "Bands To Watch" lists far and wide, Alabama Shakes sure didn't shrink under the open Texas skies during NPR Music's SXSW showcase at Stubb's in Austin, Texas. Hear the band perform...
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SXSW 2012: Dan Deacon In Concert
Few high-profile musicians fit into the SXSW crowd as seamlessly as Dan Deacon, who doesn't exactly cut a lithe, otherworldly, Mick Jagger-esque figure offstage. But everything about his live show is a raving, raging bundle of surprises: Deacon puts on some of the most rivetingly unpredictable, oddly interactive concerts in the business, whether he's teaching the crowd how to move in choreographed unison or issuing a long spoken riff that somehow invokes bothAvatarand the mom from the...
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SXSW 2012: Sharon Van Etten In Concert
At SXSW in 2010, Sharon Van Etten slunk shyly onstage at a church to tentatively sang breathtakingly fragile songs from her breakthrough album,Because I Was in Love. It's almost impossible to comprehend the transformation she's made since, as her wounded acoustic material gives way to "Serpents," the bracing and caustic rocker which closes Van Etten's performance during NPR Music's showcase at Stubb's in Austin, Texas.Without sacrificing the intimacy of a small club Van Etten flexed her...
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SXSW 2012 Preview
All Songs Considered is Austin-bound! On this week's show, host Bob Boilen, producer and co-host Robin Hilton, editor Stephen Thompson and NPR Music critic Ann Powers talk about the bands they're most excited to see this year at South by Southwest. The four-day music festivalkicks off on Wednesday, March 14 in Austin, Texas, and features roughly 2,000 artists, spanning countless genres.On the show:Bad Sports: "Can't Just Be Friends"Lady Leshurr: "Lego"Filastine: "Colony Collapse"Quiet...
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Real Estate: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Real Estate's Tiny Desk Concert. Real Estate wears placidity well: It's a band born and bred to convey and celebrate laconic comfort. In its three-song concert in the NPR Music offices, the quintet re-creates its studio sound with airy precision. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Julia Holter Live From NYC's Le Poisson Rouge
Julia Holter's music is hard to pin down. With 'Ekstasis,' she blurs the line between composer and songwriter, between ambient and pop. Hear Holter turn pop music inside-out in her first-ever New York City performance, recorded live from Le Poisson Rouge on Tuesday March 6, 2012.
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Rudresh Mahanthappa: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Audio from Rudresh Mahanthappa's Tiny Desk Concert. The saxophonist's new repertoire salutes electric funk, South Indian modes and swarming improvisation. It's impressive on record, but it becomes a bug-eyed, mouth-agape experience when you see and hear it live. Naturally, he left a few contorted faces at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Laura Gibson: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Laura Gibson's Tiny Desk Concert. Her gorgeous, whispery voice inspired the Tiny Desk Concerts series in 2008. Now, Laura Gibson returns with her band to perform four songs from her new 2012 album, 'La Grande.' To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Pistolera: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Pistolera's Tiny Desk Concert. Pistolera conjures the sounds of the Mexican desert by way of a cold basement in New York City's Chinatown. With the aid of a stellar band and insightful lyrics, songwriter Sandra Velasquez performs the music of her youth in California at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Milagres: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Milagres' Tiny Desk Concert. A band of selective minimalism, Milagres gets the most of simple sounds at the NPR Music offices. The result is songs which sound big and strong — delicately built, yet sturdy enough for the emotive sounds of Kyle Wilson's voice. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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The Cranberries: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from the Cranberries' Tiny Desk Concert. After a long hiatus, the best-selling Irish pop-rock band is about to return with a new album called 'Roses.' But if this performance at the NPR Music offices is any indication, the group isn't afraid to dip into its arsenal of early hits. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Joyce El Khoury And Brian Jagde: Tiny Desk Concert...
Music fromJoyce El-Khoury and Brian Jagde's Tiny Desk Concert.Soprano Joyce El-Khoury and tenor Brian Jagde are young, fresh-facedopera singers at the dawn of promising careers. Here, their deliciouslysung Puccini reverberates off the walls of NPR Music. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Joan Soriano: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Joan Soriano's Tiny Desk Concert. With his songs of heartache, Soriano is an essential piece of thebachata story. Known as "El Duque de la Bachata" ("The Duke ofBachata"), Soriano gives a raw but beautiful performance at the NPRMusic offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Red Baraat: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Red Baraat's Tiny Desk Concert. One of the best party bands around, Red Baarat plays rollicking funkmusic steeped in Northern India's wedding celebrations, with a dash ofD.C. go-go beats and hip-hop. The dance-friendly group performs a loud,high-energy set at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Craig Finn: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Craig Finn's Tiny Desk Concert. All these mournful, inward-facing songs (including the unreleased"Jeremiah's Blues") require is the Hold Steady singer, his acousticguitar and the indispensable pedal steel of Ricky Ray Jackson. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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The Creole Choir Of Cuba: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Creole Choir of Cuba's Tiny Desk Concert. With a musical history that dates back to the late 18th century, the group has revitalized a long-lost culture through music performed largely a cappella and entirely in Haitian Creole. The Creole Choir of Cuba mash up Cuban and Haitian cultures performs aspirited set at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Bill Frisell: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Bill Frisell's Tiny Desk Concert. The brilliant and nimble guitarist reinvents the songs of John Lennon at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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JEFF The Brotherhood, Live at the 9:30 Club
It got loud when NPR Music live webcast these full concerts from two of the grittiest rock duos of the past decade, The Kills and JEFF The Brotherhood. Each band has an outsize sound, fueled by deafening guitar noise and trashy rhythms, and is known for feverish but playful live performances. JEFF The Brotherhood opened the webcast from Washington, D.C.'s 9:30 Club, followed by The Kills.Real-life brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall founded the duo JEFF The Brotherhood in Nashville in 2001. Over...
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The Kills Live in Concert at the 9:30 Club
It got loud when NPR Music live webcast these full concerts from two of the grittiest rock duos of the past decade, The Kills and JEFF The Brotherhood. Each band has an outsize sound, fueled by deafening guitar noise and trashy rhythms, and is known for feverish but playful live performances. JEFF The Brotherhood opened the webcast from Washington, D.C.'s 9:30 Club, followed by The Kills.Singer-guitarist Alison Mosshart and drummer Jamie Hince formed The Kills in 2001 after bonding over...
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Girl In A Coma: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Girl In A Coma's Tiny Desk Concert. Girl In A Coma is known for crunchy guitars, seamless musical interplay and Nina Diaz's alluring voice. But here, the San Antonio trio deftlygets back to basics to explore not just the form of its songs, but also the soul of its lyrics. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Anna Calvi: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Anna Calvi's Tiny Desk Concert. The slow build that takes place in just three short songs performed at theNPR Musicoffices — from a guitar instrumental to the final primal cry of "Jezebel" — is nothing short of astonishing. Calvi plays three songs from her self-titled debut in this powerful performance at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Glenn Jones: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Glenn Jones' Tiny Desk Concert. Jones' most recent album, The Wanting, is a compelling work ofAmerican folk music that tells stories without a single word. Themasterful guitarist performs a lovely set at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Jake Schepps' Expedition Quartet: Tiny Desk Concert...
Music from Jake Schepps' Expedition Quartet's Tiny Desk Concert. Banjo master Schepps and friends create an intriguing goulash of Bartok, bluegrass and bebop. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Screaming Females: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Screaming Females' Tiny Desk Concert. Don't let the size of the amps at the NPR Music office fool you: Screaming Females' music is louder than bombs. Pared down at the Tiny Desk, the band's keen sense of song stays front and center — especially in "It All Means Nothing," a new song from Screaming Females' next album. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Tinariwen: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Tinariwen's Tiny Desk Concert. Even in a stripped-down acoustic formation, Tinariwen's trance-inducing desert music doesn't disappoint. Watch the Tuareg musicians adorn their beautiful, flowing robes for a stunning set in the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Debo Band In Concert: globalFEST 2012
Earth-rattling horns and mesmerizingly oscillating vocals: Boston's Debo Band takes the funky, psychedelic groove of 1960s Ethiopiaand transplants it firmly onto a 21st-century dance floor.With 11 musicians crammed every which way onto the tiniest stage of the night — the sousaphone barely cleared overhead pipes — Debo Band closed globalFEST in serious, sweaty, funky style. For more concerts, visit npr.org/liveconcerts.Set List:"Musicawi Silt""Yene Neger""Belomi Benna""Ney Ney Waleba""Asha...
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Tinariwen: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Tinariwen's Tiny Desk Concert. Even in a stripped-down acoustic formation, Tinariwen's trance-inducing desert music doesn't disappoint. Watch the Tuareg musicians adorn their beautiful, flowing robes for a stunning set in the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Le Butcherettes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Le Butcherettes' Tiny Desk Concert. Le Butcherettes' Teri Gender Bender can transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast on a dime. Hear the haunting, spectacular performer as she howls, bangs on her guitar and stares into the eyes of individuals assembled at theNPR Musicoffices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Maria Volonte: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Maria Volonte's Tiny Desk Concert. Argentine singer Maria Volonte's powerful, refreshing interpretation of tango is fully capable of transplanting itself into folk, Latin blues or the traditional music ofPeru,UruguayandBrazil. With its mature sensuality, her music is filled with a potent brew of nostalgia and melancholy. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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The Music Tapes: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from The Music Tapes' Tiny Desk Concert. Somewhere inside Julian Koster lives a 13-year-old boy filled with wonder and imagination. Performing with his band The Music Tapes, the Elephant 6 and Neutral Milk Hotel alumnus plays a holiday set complete with bowed banjos, singing saws and tape machines at the NPR Music offices. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Gem Club: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Gem Club's Tiny Desk Concert. Maybe you couldn't hear a pin drop when Gem Club played, but you couldhear the click of a keyboard. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Beirut in Concert From The 9:30 Club
Beirut's latest album, The Rip Tide, was recorded in New York during the winter of 2010 and takes a surprise turn away from the group's early, ?o?ek-influenced sound and toward more mainstream indie rock. But the band hasn't reinvented itself entirely: Anyone drawn to the trumpet and ukulele on Beirut's first album, Gulag Orkestar, will find those familiar sounds on The Rip Tide, but set amidst wurlitzer, pump organ and percussion that can sound almost electronic at times.Beirut showcased...
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I Wayne: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from I Wayne's Tiny Desk Concert. The reggae star said little between his van and the NPR Music offices.But as soon as the cameras started rolling, he came to life right oncue, showcasing his smooth voice and vibrant energy. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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JEFF The Brotherhood: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from JEFF The Brotherhood's Tiny Desk Concert.Like theRamonesor earlyWeezer, the Nashville power-punk duo JEFF The Brotherhood is really good at being funny without writing gimmicky songs. And, while "Bummer" ostensibly comes off a breakup record,We Are the Champions, it functions in the same humorously harsh way as Weezer'sPinkerton. You really feel for these guys, but you still want to bum-rush the mic and sing along, especially during the fuzzy rager "Shredder." And,of course, the...
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Mates Of State: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Mates Of State's Tiny Desk Concert. The modesty of Mates of State's performance both suits and complements a band whose music is about generosity of spirit, forgiveness of failing, and the celebration of all things hard-won enough to be worth celebrating. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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tUnE-yArDs: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from tUnE-yArDs' Tiny Desk Concert. With loop pedals and an irrepressible voice, tUnE-yArDs' Merrill Garbusmakes powerful and danceable songs that spring to life before your eyes.Garbus performs three buoyant songs from this year's stunning 'wh o k i l l.' To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Gabriel Kahane: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Gabriel Kahane's Tiny Desk Concert. Hear the agile musician's rigorously crafted songs that fall somewhere between classical and pop. To watch the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Hospital Ships: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Hospital Ships' Tiny Desk Concert. On 'Lonely Twin,' Hospital Ships' poppy folk songs and brash rockers are packed with instrumental flourishes and bursts of feedback. But in this stripped-down performance at the NPR Music offices, Jordan Geiger's beautifully crushing songs pack an emotional punch. To download the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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Joe Henry: Tiny Desk Concert (audio only)
Music from Joe Henry's Tiny Desk Concert. Henry's new 'Reverie' reflects his fearlessly easygoing style, so asking him to sing in a crowded office never felt like an imposition. To download the video and subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.
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