NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts

Season 2014

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 2014

85 Episodes

  • Van-Anh Vanessa Vo
    E1
    Van-Anh Vanessa VoThe musician unpacks an array of traditional Vietnamese instruments — and 1,000 years of culture.
  • Lily & Madeleine
    E2
    Lily & MadeleineThe teenagers play a restrained, homespun mix of folk and pop with undeniably sweet harmonies.
  • Afro Blue
    E3
    Afro BlueThe Howard University vocal jazz ensemble performs beautiful African-American spirituals.
  • Robert Glasper Experiment
    E4
    Robert Glasper ExperimentMembers of the Grammy-winning, organic R&B Experiment band jam with singer Marsha Ambrosius.
  • Angel Olsen
    E5
    Angel OlsenThe expressive, powerful singer previews songs from her new album, Burn Your Fire for No Witness.
  • Pixies
    E6
    PixiesHear the legendary band perform 1989's "Monkey Gone to Heaven" and two new songs — one unreleased.
  • Fanfare Ciocarlia
    E7
    Fanfare CiocarliaThe joyous Balkan brass band plays at a pace that would make the Ramones burst into a sweat.
  • Suzanne Vega
    E8
    Suzanne VegaThe inventive folk-music veteran book-ends a four-song set with her hits "Luka" and "Tom's Diner."
  • Cate Le Bon
    E9
    Cate Le BonThe Welsh singer's set conveys loneliness and doubt with just two guitars and an inviting whisper.
  • Sofia Rei
    E10
    Sofia ReiFor about 20 minutes one sunny afternoon, Rei turned a desk into a small Latin American folk club.
  • Brass Bed
    E11
    Brass BedSee the band re-create some of its stellar studio effects with a pedal steel and some novelty mics.
  • Asaf Avidan
    E12
    Asaf AvidanAvidan has an album and no U.S. record label to put it out. But he's on a solo tour that's stunning.
  • Lowland Hum
    E13
    Lowland HumIt's hard to convey the sound of two people in love, but Lowland Hum does that effortlessly.
  • Jake Bugg
    E14
    Jake BuggWatch the 20-year-old English singer-songwriter, who has worked with superproducer Rick Rubin.
  • Diane Cluck
    E15
    Diane CluckOn record, Cluck's elastic voice and fingerpicking are impressive. Live, they jam the senses.
  • Joseph Calleja
    E16
    Joseph CallejaAll the world's top opera houses want the young tenor with the old-school approach.
  • The Haden Triplets
    E17
    The Haden TripletsWhen the sisters cover classic country music together, the result is a treat and a trip in time.
  • The Both
    E18
    The BothSinger-songwriters Aimee Mann and Ted Leo unite from opposite ends of the volume knob.
  • Tom Brosseau
    E19
    Tom BrosseauThe North Dakota singer-songwriter possesses one of the most arresting voices in folk music today.
  • Courtney Barnett
    E20
    Courtney BarnettBarnett tells stories like your best friend, provided your best friend is a funny Australian poet.
  • Usman Riaz
    E21
    Usman RiazA young Pakistani musician treats the guitar as percussion — with surprisingly shimmering results.
  • Federico Aubele
    E22
    Federico AubeleThe Argentine singer uses his dark, husky voice to produce a specific effect in these three songs.
  • Quilt
    E23
    QuiltInterweaving harmonies and guitar lines set the tone for these soft, benevolent, dreamy songs.
  • Johnnyswim
    E24
    JohnnyswimImpossibly telegenic and charming, the band mixes booming intensity with polish and sparkle.
  • Cian Nugent
    E25
    Cian NugentThe Dublin guitarist runs through a ragtime jaunt, a basement-bar choogle and a sad-sack closer.
  • Public Service Broadcasting
    E26
    Public Service BroadcastingThe duo's sample-laden instrumental music is entertainment as education for the head and feet alike.
  • Timber Timbre
    E27
    Timber TimbreSee the swamp-folk band play a characteristically eerie and mysterious set in the NPR Music offices.
  • Chvrches
    E28
    ChvrchesThe Scottish synth-pop band turns up with a small arsenal of synthesizers to perform three songs.
  • Iestyn Davies
    E29
    Iestyn DaviesSee the countertenor and lutenist Thomas Dunford perform John Dowland's melancholy songs.
  • Ages And Ages
    E30
    Ages And AgesThe band makes the kind of music that can at least briefly restore your faith in humanity.
  • Yasmine Hamdan
    E31
    Yasmine HamdanThe Lebanese singer-songwriter is one of the most groundbreaking musicians in the Middle East.
  • Hozier
    E32
    HozierAndrew Hozier-Byrne wraps his rich, vital, soulful voice around songs rooted in the blues.
  • Juana Molina
    E33
    Juana MolinaMolina sounds as if she'd been raised by wolves and discovered the world of music on her own.
  • Simone Dinnerstein
    E34
    Simone DinnersteinWatch the celebrated pianist make Bach's Two-part Inventions sing and zing.
  • Marian McLaughlin
    E35
    Marian McLaughlinA quirky and wistful performer with a string section, McLaughlin makes music like few others.
  • Eliot Fisk And Paco Peña
    E36
    Eliot Fisk And Paco PeñaA classical virtuoso and an equally captivating flamenco player combine for a set of duets.
  • Rodney Crowell
    E37
    Rodney CrowellThe country singer-songwriter performs with the ease and swagger of a man comfortable in his ways.
  • Mali Music
    E38
    Mali MusicThe singer-songwriter and musician performs with unabashed positivity and an uplifting spirit.
  • Conor Oberst
    E39
    Conor OberstThe Bright Eyes singer performs songs from Upside Down Mountain with help from members of Dawes.
  • Tracy Silverman
    E40
    Tracy SilvermanSee the innovative player create waves of sound with a six-string violin.
  • Lydia Loveless
    E41
    Lydia LovelessThe 23-year-old singer-guitarist performs gritty, countrified blues-rock in the NPR Music offices.
  • The Foreign Exchange
    E42
    The Foreign ExchangeWatch the Tiny Desk turn into a church, comedy club and neo-soul spot.
  • Moon Hooch
    E43
    Moon HoochThey call what they make "cave music" — but it's just as powerful at the Tiny Desk.
  • John Grant
    E44
    John GrantGrant's songs don't mess around, with lyrics that function as darts of retort and thought.
  • Holly Williams
    E45
    Holly WilliamsThe singer has a magnificent way with phrasing, not to mention a remarkable country-music lineage.
  • Marisa Anderson
    E46
    Marisa AndersonThe guitarist kicks up some dirt with a Rev. Gary Davis deconstruction and a Stratocaster hoedown.
  • Hamilton Leithauser
    E47
    Hamilton LeithauserIn this three-song set, the Walkmen singer demonstrates that he's lost none of his vocal power.
  • Highasakite
    E48
    HighasakiteWatch an atmospheric Norwegian band with a yearning sound. Also: See a flugabone!
  • Saintseneca
    E49
    SaintsenecaIn the NPR offices, the Ohio band plays three alternately brooding and stomping songs from Dark Arc.
  • Quetzal
    E50
    QuetzalThe veteran East L.A. band's music penetrates the intellect even as it makes your hips sway.
  • The Family Crest
    E51
    The Family CrestThe band's seven players are trained in classical and jazz, led by Liam McCormick's powerful voice.
  • Irene Diaz
    E52
    Irene DiazWith Carolyn Cardoza, Diaz conjures a place where emotions run deep and beauty is unmistakable.
  • Bob Mould
    E53
    Bob MouldThe former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman plugs in for a characteristically loud four-song set.
  • Ernest Ranglin
    E54
    Ernest RanglinWatch a talented, charming guitar legend make magic as his band Avila holds down the beat.
  • Pacifica Quartet
    E55
    Pacifica QuartetWatch the group play selections from Shostakovich's cycle of introspective string quartets.
  • Rodrigo Amarante
    E56
    Rodrigo AmaranteA veteran of Little Joy and Los Hermanos, Amarante makes warm, tender music as a solo artist.
  • Nickel Creek
    E57
    Nickel CreekThe band was made to sing and play around one microphone, so a Tiny Desk Concert seemed inevitable.
  • Sturgill Simpson
    E58
    Sturgill SimpsonThe Kentucky native writes country songs about loneliness, failed dreams, drinking and drugs.
  • Trampled By Turtles
    E59
    Trampled By TurtlesKnown for the speed of their playing, the Minnesotans are about more than just blistering bluegrass.
  • Jessica Lea Mayfield
    E60
    Jessica Lea MayfieldMayfield's music has gotten more beguiling as she explores the many contrasts in her hypnotic sound.
  • Justin Townes Earle
    E61
    Justin Townes EarleIn advance of his new album Single Mothers, the singer performs two new songs and an old favorite.
  • Luluc
    E62
    LulucGraceful singing and storytelling meet guitars and textures that help create an unforgettable aura.
  • Tweedy
    E63
    TweedyWith his drummer son Spencer, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy performs songs from their new album, Sukierae.
  • Bio Ritmo
    E64
    Bio RitmoThe 10-piece salsa band built its career on dance floors, where it never fails to make people move.
  • Ryan Keberle & Catharsis
    E65
    Ryan Keberle & CatharsisThe trombonist's working band established some nifty swing, assisted in absentia by Sufjan Stevens.
  • Jackson Browne
    E66
    Jackson BrowneBrowne still writes songs with conviction, craftsmanship and careful attention to detail.
  • Raquel Sofia
    E67
    Raquel SofiaSofia has spent most of her career 20 feet from stardom as a backup singer for Juanes and Shakira.
  • The Bots
    E68
    The BotsThe band plays with a great rock-duo punch that recalls The White Stripes or JEFF The Brotherhood.
  • Ásgeir
    E69
    ÁsgeirThe Icelandic singer's voice is angelic and yearning, his songs simple and universal.
  • Anthony D'Amato
    E70
    Anthony D'AmatoD'Amato's music can feel Motown-y, garage-y and Springsteen-y, but he sounds sparer here.
  • Danish String Quartet
    E71
    Danish String QuartetWatch the young, versatile ensemble play folk music from around Denmark and beyond.
  • T-Pain
    E72
    T-PainWe asked the King of Auto-Tune to grace the Tiny Desk without any embellishment or effects.
  • Banks
    E73
    BanksKnown for lavish electronic productions, Banks serves notice as a powerful singer in her own right.
  • Sun Ra Arkestra
    E74
    Sun Ra ArkestraWith costumes inspired by Egyptian symbolism and sci-fi, Ra's band plays a special Halloween set.
  • Making Movies
    E75
    Making MoviesA rousing band from Kansas City, Making Movies mixes languages and eras with infectious energy.
  • Roomful Of Teeth
    E76
    Roomful Of TeethWatch the group sing new music with yelps, yodels and a few fine harmonies.
  • Davíd Garza
    E77
    Davíd GarzaThe Austin singer-songwriter joins his stunning voice with that of touring partner Gaby Moreno.
  • J Mascis
    E78
    J MascisThe Dinosaur Jr. frontman, one of the world's loudest musicians, performs unplugged and acoustic.
  • Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
    E79
    Pat Benatar & Neil GiraldoBenatar and Giraldo play three classics: "We Live For Love," "We Belong" and "Promises In The Dark."
  • Sam Amidon & Bill Frisell
    E80
    Sam Amidon & Bill FrisellAmidon weaves his compositions into traditional music, while Frisell adds atmospheric guitar.
  • Dublin Guitar Quartet
    E81
    Dublin Guitar QuartetHear the Irish ensemble's fresh take on Philip Glass' propulsive yet intimate string quartets.
  • St. Paul And The Broken Bones
    E82
    St. Paul And The Broken BonesThe band's got heart and soul and flair, with a well-worn sound buoyed by strong, fresh songwriting.
  • Yusuf/Cat Stevens
    E83
    Yusuf/Cat StevensThe singer performs two new songs, as well as "The First Cut Is the Deepest" and "Father and Son."
  • Lucinda Williams
    E84
    Lucinda WilliamsShe came to the desk a little unsure, and left singing "West Memphis" with intensity and passion.
  • HMSTR
    E85
    HMSTRWatch our favorite hamsters play their twee-as-all-get-out holiday pop-punk song, "Snow Day."

 

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