NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts

Season 2011

Not Rated
National Public Radio brings many different musicians in to play a short concert in the office.

Where to Watch NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts • Season 2011

83 Episodes

  • Abigail Washburn
    E1
    Abigail WashburnWatch the singer-songwriter mix American bluegrass and Chinese folk from the NPR Music offices.
  • Gyptian
    E2
    GyptianThe reggae star performs his hit "Hold You" and more from the NPR Music offices in Washington, D.C.
  • David Wax Museum
    E3
    David Wax MuseumThe band brings a frenetic, infectious blend of American and Mexican folk to the NPR Music offices.
  • Ballake Sissoko And Vincent Segal
    E4
    Ballake Sissoko And Vincent SegalThe masterful kora-and-cello duo performs a transfixing set combining African and European strings.
  • Iron And Wine
    E5
    Iron And WineSam Beam gives a fresh side of his new songs at NPR, and tops it off with a devastating 2004 gem.
  • Basia Bulat
    E6
    Basia BulatThe Canadian singer-songwriter sings highlights from her two albums, plus a surprise from Poland.
  • Richard Thompson
    E7
    Richard ThompsonWatch the folk-rock legend perform songs from his 20th solo album, Dream Attic, at NPR Music.
  • Stars
    E8
    StarsWatch Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell transform three of Stars' songs into spare, pretty folk music.
  • Ivan And Alyosha
    E9
    Ivan And AlyoshaThe band showcases its Beatles-esque pop harmonies and sweet melodies from the NPR Music offices.
  • Esperanza Spalding
    E10
    Esperanza SpaldingThe jazz bassist, singer and Best New Artist Grammy winner performs in the NPR Music offices.
  • Turtle Island Quartet
    E11
    Turtle Island QuartetWith an eclectic palette of sounds and styles, the Turtle Island Quartet swings at NPR Music.
  • Adele
    E12
    AdeleIn a three-song set at the NPR Music offices, the U.K. pop star showcases her brilliant voice.
  • Local Natives
    E13
    Local NativesThe L.A. band brings its euphoric choruses and clattering Afrobeat rhythms to the NPR Music offices.
  • Damien Jurado
    E14
    Damien JuradoHear Jurado's raw, time-worn, authentically graceful music, performed in the NPR Music office.
  • Steve Riley And The Mamou Playboys
    E15
    Steve Riley And The Mamou PlayboysWatch the Grammy-nominated Cajun band play an upbeat yet bittersweet set from the NPR Music offices.
  • Lizz Wright
    E16
    Lizz WrightIn this two-song set at the NPR Music offices, Wright channels the gospel and soul of her past.
  • Nellie McKay
    E17
    Nellie McKayMcKay's bold, audacious personality shines in this set recorded at the NPR Music offices.
  • Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
    E18
    Sierra Leone's Refugee All StarsHear the Refugee All Stars' upbeat reggae grooves, performed live at the NPR Music offices.
  • Josh Ritter
    E19
    Josh RitterRitter can't hide his enjoyment of a performance, even when his songs convey obsession or disaster.
  • Otis Taylor
    E20
    Otis TaylorWatch the banjo player perform his trademark trance-inducing blues at the NPR Music offices.
  • Mount Kimbie
    E21
    Mount KimbieWatch the dubstep duo perform our first-ever electronic Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR offices.
  • Pokey LaFarge
    E22
    Pokey LaFargeWatch LaFarge play '20s- and '30s-inspired music with the help of his band, The South City Three.
  • Steve Earle
    E23
    Steve EarleA singer, author, actor and activist, Earle showcases many of his talents at the NPR Music offices.
  • Wu Man
    E24
    Wu ManWatch the world's reigning pipa virtuoso play ancient music from her Chinese homeland.
  • Booker T. Jones
    E25
    Booker T. JonesJones' name is synonymous with the Hammond B3 organ. Watch him play one in the NPR Music offices.
  • Julieta Venegas
    E26
    Julieta VenegasAfter six albums, including last year's Otra Cosa, Venegas is still defying expectations.
  • Neil Innes
    E27
    Neil InnesWatch the Rutles alumnus play three of his classic satirical songs in the NPR Music offices.
  • Future Islands
    E28
    Future IslandsWatch the band's short but intense and cathartic set, performed live in the NPR Music offices.
  • Low
    E29
    LowSingers Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker perform three songs from their gorgeous new album, C'mon.
  • Jackie Evancho
    E30
    Jackie EvanchoWatch the 11-year-old perform Handel's "Ombra mai fu" at the NPR Music offices.
  • The Kopecky Family Band
    E31
    The Kopecky Family BandThe Tennessee band's sweet, swollen folk-rock songs keep blooming into something irresistible.
  • The Black Angels
    E32
    The Black AngelsHear a bold and surprising mix of sensibilities — at once icy and rustic, cavernous and confined.
  • Chris Thile And Michael Daves
    E33
    Chris Thile And Michael DavesWatch Thile and Daves play traditional bluegrass with New York intensity at the NPR Music offices.
  • Charlie Siem
    E34
    Charlie SiemWatch the stylish young violinist pull out a bag of tricks in music by Paganini.
  • The Decemberists
    E35
    The DecemberistsWith Chris Funk and Sara Watkins, Colin Meloy plays three sparkling songs from The King Is Dead.
  • YACHT
    E36
    YACHTWatch the electro-pop band's striking and infectious performance at the NPR Music offices.
  • The Civil Wars
    E37
    The Civil WarsWatch Joy Williams and John Paul White's swooning chemistry and stirring harmonies at NPR Music.
  • Milos
    E38
    MilosWatch the newcomer from Montenegro play Spanish standards and a passionate ode to his homeland.
  • The Blind Boys Of Alabama
    E39
    The Blind Boys Of AlabamaHear the gospel greats' mix of polished blues, swinging soul and from-the-gut expressions of faith.
  • Julian Lage Trio
    E40
    Julian Lage TrioThe guitarist, 23, was once called a prodigy. But he's maturing into a distinctive bandleader, too.
  • Ben Sollee
    E41
    Ben SolleeThe genre-bending cellist and songwriter has created a unique take on folk music.
  • Joe Boyd And Robyn Hitchcock
    E42
    Joe Boyd And Robyn HitchcockBoyd reads from White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s, while Hitchcock plays songs from the era.
  • Y La Bamba
    E43
    Y La BambaWatch Luzelena Mendoza and Y La Bamba craft joyfully rich vocal harmonies in the NPR Music offices.
  • Givers
    E44
    GiversAt the NPR offices, the band plays a sunny, exuberant set, suitable for dancing and bobbing along.
  • They Might Be Giants
    E45
    They Might Be GiantsWatch the band perform two of its brand-new songs, as well as "Fingertips," a classic 1992 chestnut.
  • Amanda Shires
    E46
    Amanda ShiresThe singer plays a charming set featuring songs from Carrying Lightning at the Tiny Desk.
  • Noah And The Whale
    E47
    Noah And The WhaleThe London band plugs in its drum machine, but sweet simplicity still reigns in the NPR offices.
  • Paul Jacobs
    E48
    Paul JacobsWatch the miraculous hands (and feet) of the Grammy-winning organist in an all-Bach performance.
  • Gaby Moreno
    E49
    Gaby MorenoWatch the Guatemalan singer's breathtaking and passionate set at the NPR Music offices.
  • Other Lives
    E50
    Other LivesThe Oklahoma band brings its spacious minor-key hymns to the NPR Music offices.
  • James Vincent McMorrow
    E51
    James Vincent McMorrowThe Irishman has one of the most arresting voices of any young singer you're likely to hear.
  • CALLmeKAT
    E52
    CALLmeKATWatch the synth-pop musician perform a hauntingly beautiful set at the NPR Music offices.
  • Phosphorescent
    E53
    PhosphorescentWatch Matthew Houck play a stirring, road-ragged solo Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR Music offices.
  • King Creosote And Jon Hopkins
    E54
    King Creosote And Jon HopkinsDiamond Mine's unassuming creators lose little of their charm and mystique in the NPR Music office.
  • Foster The People
    E55
    Foster The PeopleArmed with the summer song of 2011, the band brings "Pumped Up Kicks" and more to NPR Music.
  • Diego Garcia
    E56
    Diego GarciaWatch the former Elefant frontman perform songs from his album Laura at the NPR Music offices.
  • Sean Rowe
    E57
    Sean RoweRowe brings his booming voice and ever-louder acoustic-guitar set-ups to the NPR Music offices.
  • Jeremy Messersmith
    E58
    Jeremy MessersmithThe Twin Cities singer is a pop genius, with creative ambition to match his considerable charm.
  • Beirut
    E59
    BeirutBeirut performs worldly, inspired songs from its new album The Rip Tide at the NPR Music offices.
  • Jenny Lin
    E60
    Jenny LinThe pianist usually plays eight-foot Steinways. See what she does on an electronic keyboard.
  • The Klezmatics
    E61
    The KlezmaticsRing in Rosh Hashanah with three globe-trotting tunes from one of the world's greatest Jewish bands.
  • Trombone Shorty
    E62
    Trombone ShortyThe New Orleans native achieved stardom with his voice and his horn. But he just wants you to dance.
  • Mates Of State
    E63
    Mates Of StateThe band's performance in the NPR Music offices creates a vibe of ragged, awkward intimacy.
  • Fountains Of Wayne
    E64
    Fountains Of WayneThese songs showcase a band with tremendous narrative gifts and a flair for subtle beauty.
  • JEFF The Brotherhood
    E65
    JEFF The BrotherhoodOf course, the power-punk duo took off their shirts at the NPR Music offices, because why not?
  • Grouplove
    E66
    GrouploveThe upstart band brings youthful, infectious energy to the NPR Music offices.
  • Chris Bathgate
    E67
    Chris BathgateThe Michigan native's deliberately paced music is too rustic and pretty to be a true downer.
  • Wilco
    E68
    WilcoArmed with tiny amps and a ton of grace, Wilco plays new songs and an old favorite at the Tiny Desk.
  • Hilary Hahn
    E69
    Hilary HahnThe classical violinist blends Bach and Charles Ives with flair, then tops it off with a fedora.
  • Ben Williams And Sound Effect
    E70
    Ben Williams And Sound EffectThe jazz star and his band perform two songs from their album State of Art at the NPR Music offices.
  • Lisa Hannigan
    E71
    Lisa HanniganExuding both musical and personal warmth, the Irish singer mesmerized at the NPR Music offices.
  • Juanes
    E72
    JuanesWatch the charismatic Colombian superstar give an intimate performance at the NPR Music offices.
  • Jens Lekman
    E73
    Jens LekmanThe Swedish singer shows off his humor and charm in this intimate set at the NPR Music offices.
  • Marketa Irglova
    E74
    Marketa IrglovaAt the NPR Music offices, Irglova mixes the exotic and the familiar; sweetness and longing.
  • Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart Duncan
    E75
    Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart DuncanThe genre-bending cellist heads a dream team of string players who borrow from bluegrass.
  • Joe Henry
    E76
    Joe HenryAsking the fearless, easygoing singer to perform in a crowded office never felt like an imposition.
  • Hospital Ships
    E77
    Hospital ShipsHospital Ships' beautiful, crushing songs pack an emotional punch in this performance at NPR Music.
  • Gabriel Kahane
    E78
    Gabriel KahaneHear the agile musician's rigorously crafted songs, which fall somewhere between classical and pop.
  • tUnE-yArDs
    E79
    tUnE-yArDstUnE-yArDs sings of rage and inequality, but also celebrates the joy of letting out a wild sound.
  • I Wayne
    E80
    I WayneAs the cameras rolled, the reggae star came to life, showcasing his smooth voice and vibrant energy.
  • Gem Club
    E81
    Gem ClubMaybe you couldn't hear a pin drop when Gem Club played, but you could hear the click of a keyboard.
  • The Music Tapes
    E82
    The Music TapesThe Elephant 6 alum plays a holiday set compete with bowed banjos, singing saws and tape machines.
  • Maria Volonte
    E83
    Maria VolonteThe Argentine singer blends tango, Latin blues and the traditional music of Brazil and Peru.

 

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