NPR Tiny Desk Concerts

Season 2014

85 episodes · Jan 4, 2014

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  • Van-Anh Vanessa Vo
    S7E1

    Van-Anh Vanessa Vo

    Jan 4, 2014

    The musician unpacks an array of traditional Vietnamese instruments — and 1,000 years of culture.

    Reviews
  • Lily & Madeleine
    S7E2

    Lily & Madeleine

    Jan 7, 2014

    The teenagers play a restrained, homespun mix of folk and pop with undeniably sweet harmonies.

    Reviews
  • Afro Blue
    S7E3

    Afro Blue

    Jan 13, 2014

    The Howard University vocal jazz ensemble performs beautiful African-American spirituals.

    Reviews
  • Robert Glasper Experiment
    S7E4

    Robert Glasper Experiment

    Jan 20, 2014

    Members of the Grammy-winning, organic R&B Experiment band jam with singer Marsha Ambrosius.

    Reviews
  • Angel Olsen
    S7E5

    Angel Olsen

    Jan 27, 2014

    The expressive, powerful singer previews songs from her new album, Burn Your Fire for No Witness.

    Reviews
  • Pixies
    S7E6

    Pixies

    Feb 3, 2014

    Hear the legendary band perform 1989's "Monkey Gone to Heaven" and two new songs — one unreleased.

    Reviews
  • Fanfare Ciocarlia
    S7E7

    Fanfare Ciocarlia

    Feb 8, 2014

    The joyous Balkan brass band plays at a pace that would make the Ramones burst into a sweat.

    Reviews
  • Suzanne Vega
    S7E8

    Suzanne Vega

    Feb 10, 2014

    The inventive folk-music veteran book-ends a four-song set with her hits "Luka" and "Tom's Diner."

    Reviews
  • Cate Le Bon
    S7E9

    Cate Le Bon

    Feb 18, 2014

    The Welsh singer's set conveys loneliness and doubt with just two guitars and an inviting whisper.

    Reviews
  • Sofia Rei
    S7E10

    Sofia Rei

    Feb 22, 2014

    For about 20 minutes one sunny afternoon, Rei turned a desk into a small Latin American folk club.

    Reviews
  • Brass Bed
    S7E11

    Brass Bed

    Feb 24, 2014

    See the band re-create some of its stellar studio effects with a pedal steel and some novelty mics.

    Reviews
  • Asaf Avidan
    S7E12

    Asaf Avidan

    Mar 2, 2014

    Avidan has an album and no U.S. record label to put it out. But he's on a solo tour that's stunning.

    Reviews
  • Lowland Hum
    S7E13

    Lowland Hum

    Mar 6, 2014

    It's hard to convey the sound of two people in love, but Lowland Hum does that effortlessly.

    Reviews
  • Jake Bugg
    S7E14

    Jake Bugg

    Mar 10, 2014

    Watch the 20-year-old English singer-songwriter, who has worked with superproducer Rick Rubin.

    Reviews
  • Diane Cluck
    S7E15

    Diane Cluck

    Mar 17, 2014

    On record, Cluck's elastic voice and fingerpicking are impressive. Live, they jam the senses.

    Reviews
  • Joseph Calleja
    S7E16

    Joseph Calleja

    Mar 24, 2014

    All the world's top opera houses want the young tenor with the old-school approach.

    Reviews
  • The Haden Triplets
    S7E17

    The Haden Triplets

    Mar 31, 2014

    When the sisters cover classic country music together, the result is a treat and a trip in time.

    Reviews
  • The Both
    S7E18

    The Both

    Apr 7, 2014

    Singer-songwriters Aimee Mann and Ted Leo unite from opposite ends of the volume knob.

    Reviews
  • Tom Brosseau
    S7E19

    Tom Brosseau

    Apr 12, 2014

    The North Dakota singer-songwriter possesses one of the most arresting voices in folk music today.

    Reviews
  • Courtney Barnett
    S7E20

    Courtney Barnett

    Apr 14, 2014

    Barnett tells stories like your best friend, provided your best friend is a funny Australian poet.

    Reviews
  • Usman Riaz
    S7E21

    Usman Riaz

    Apr 19, 2014

    A young Pakistani musician treats the guitar as percussion — with surprisingly shimmering results.

    Reviews
  • Federico Aubele
    S7E22

    Federico Aubele

    Apr 21, 2014

    The Argentine singer uses his dark, husky voice to produce a specific effect in these three songs.

    Reviews
  • Quilt
    S7E23

    Quilt

    Apr 26, 2014

    Interweaving harmonies and guitar lines set the tone for these soft, benevolent, dreamy songs.

    Reviews
  • Johnnyswim
    S7E24

    Johnnyswim

    Apr 28, 2014

    Impossibly telegenic and charming, the band mixes booming intensity with polish and sparkle.

    Reviews
  • Cian Nugent
    S7E25

    Cian Nugent

    May 3, 2014

    The Dublin guitarist runs through a ragtime jaunt, a basement-bar choogle and a sad-sack closer.

    Reviews
  • Public Service Broadcasting
    S7E26

    Public Service Broadcasting

    May 5, 2014

    The duo's sample-laden instrumental music is entertainment as education for the head and feet alike.

    Reviews
  • Timber Timbre
    S7E27

    Timber Timbre

    May 10, 2014

    See the swamp-folk band play a characteristically eerie and mysterious set in the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • Chvrches
    S7E28

    Chvrches

    May 12, 2014

    The Scottish synth-pop band turns up with a small arsenal of synthesizers to perform three songs.

    Reviews
  • Iestyn Davies
    S7E29

    Iestyn Davies

    May 17, 2014

    See the countertenor and lutenist Thomas Dunford perform John Dowland's melancholy songs.

    Reviews
  • Ages And Ages
    S7E30

    Ages And Ages

    May 20, 2014

    The band makes the kind of music that can at least briefly restore your faith in humanity.

    Reviews
  • Yasmine Hamdan
    S7E31

    Yasmine Hamdan

    May 24, 2014

    The Lebanese singer-songwriter is one of the most groundbreaking musicians in the Middle East.

    Reviews
  • Hozier
    S7E32

    Hozier

    May 27, 201415m

    Andrew Hozier-Byrne wraps his rich, vital, soulful voice around songs rooted in the blues.

    Reviews
  • Juana Molina
    S7E33

    Juana Molina

    May 31, 2014

    Molina sounds as if she'd been raised by wolves and discovered the world of music on her own.

    Reviews
  • Simone Dinnerstein
    S7E34

    Simone Dinnerstein

    Jun 2, 2014

    Watch the celebrated pianist make Bach's Two-part Inventions sing and zing.

    Reviews
  • Marian McLaughlin
    S7E35

    Marian McLaughlin

    Jun 7, 2014

    A quirky and wistful performer with a string section, McLaughlin makes music like few others.

    Reviews
  • Eliot Fisk And Paco Peña
    S7E36

    Eliot Fisk And Paco Peña

    Jun 14, 2014

    A classical virtuoso and an equally captivating flamenco player combine for a set of duets.

    Reviews
  • Rodney Crowell
    S7E37

    Rodney Crowell

    Jun 16, 2014

    The country singer-songwriter performs with the ease and swagger of a man comfortable in his ways.

    Reviews
  • Mali Music
    S7E38

    Mali Music

    Jun 21, 2014

    The singer-songwriter and musician performs with unabashed positivity and an uplifting spirit.

    Reviews
  • Conor Oberst
    S7E39

    Conor Oberst

    Jun 23, 2014

    The Bright Eyes singer performs songs from Upside Down Mountain with help from members of Dawes.

    Reviews
  • Tracy Silverman
    S7E40

    Tracy Silverman

    Jun 28, 2014

    See the innovative player create waves of sound with a six-string violin.

    Reviews
  • Lydia Loveless
    S7E41

    Lydia Loveless

    Jul 1, 2014

    The 23-year-old singer-guitarist performs gritty, countrified blues-rock in the NPR Music offices.

    Reviews
  • The Foreign Exchange
    S7E42

    The Foreign Exchange

    Jul 5, 2014

    Watch the Tiny Desk turn into a church, comedy club and neo-soul spot.

    Reviews
  • Moon Hooch
    S7E43

    Moon Hooch

    Jul 7, 2014

    They call what they make "cave music" — but it's just as powerful at the Tiny Desk.

    Reviews
  • John Grant
    S7E44

    John Grant

    Jul 13, 2014

    Grant's songs don't mess around, with lyrics that function as darts of retort and thought.

    Reviews
  • Holly Williams
    S7E45

    Holly Williams

    Jul 14, 2014

    The singer has a magnificent way with phrasing, not to mention a remarkable country-music lineage.

    Reviews
  • Marisa Anderson
    S7E46

    Marisa Anderson

    Jul 19, 2014

    The guitarist kicks up some dirt with a Rev. Gary Davis deconstruction and a Stratocaster hoedown.

    Reviews
  • Hamilton Leithauser
    S7E47

    Hamilton Leithauser

    Jul 21, 2014

    In this three-song set, the Walkmen singer demonstrates that he's lost none of his vocal power.

    Reviews
  • Highasakite
    S7E48

    Highasakite

    Jul 25, 2014

    Watch an atmospheric Norwegian band with a yearning sound. Also: See a flugabone!

    Reviews
  • Saintseneca
    S7E49

    Saintseneca

    Jul 29, 2014

    In the NPR offices, the Ohio band plays three alternately brooding and stomping songs from Dark Arc.

    Reviews
  • Quetzal
    S7E50

    Quetzal

    Aug 2, 2014

    The veteran East L.A. band's music penetrates the intellect even as it makes your hips sway.

    Reviews
  • The Family Crest
    S7E51

    The Family Crest

    Aug 4, 2014

    The band's seven players are trained in classical and jazz, led by Liam McCormick's powerful voice.

    Reviews
  • Irene Diaz
    S7E52

    Irene Diaz

    Aug 9, 2014

    With Carolyn Cardoza, Diaz conjures a place where emotions run deep and beauty is unmistakable.

    Reviews
  • Bob Mould
    S7E53

    Bob Mould

    Aug 11, 2014

    The former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman plugs in for a characteristically loud four-song set.

    Reviews
  • Ernest Ranglin
    S7E54

    Ernest Ranglin

    Aug 16, 2014

    Watch a talented, charming guitar legend make magic as his band Avila holds down the beat.

    Reviews
  • Pacifica Quartet
    S7E55

    Pacifica Quartet

    Aug 18, 2014

    Watch the group play selections from Shostakovich's cycle of introspective string quartets.

    Reviews
  • Rodrigo Amarante
    S7E56

    Rodrigo Amarante

    Aug 23, 2014

    A veteran of Little Joy and Los Hermanos, Amarante makes warm, tender music as a solo artist.

    Reviews
  • Nickel Creek
    S7E57

    Nickel Creek

    Aug 26, 2014

    The band was made to sing and play around one microphone, so a Tiny Desk Concert seemed inevitable.

    Reviews
  • Sturgill Simpson
    S7E58

    Sturgill Simpson

    Aug 30, 201415m

    The Kentucky native writes country songs about loneliness, failed dreams, drinking and drugs.

    Reviews
  • Trampled By Turtles
    S7E59

    Trampled By Turtles

    Sep 3, 2014

    Known for the speed of their playing, the Minnesotans are about more than just blistering bluegrass.

    Reviews
  • Jessica Lea Mayfield
    S7E60

    Jessica Lea Mayfield

    Sep 6, 2014

    Mayfield's music has gotten more beguiling as she explores the many contrasts in her hypnotic sound.

    Reviews
  • Justin Townes Earle
    S7E61

    Justin Townes Earle

    Sep 8, 2014

    In advance of his new album Single Mothers, the singer performs two new songs and an old favorite.

    Reviews
  • Luluc
    S7E62

    Luluc

    Sep 15, 2014

    Graceful singing and storytelling meet guitars and textures that help create an unforgettable aura.

    Reviews
  • Tweedy
    S7E63

    Tweedy

    Sep 22, 2014

    With his drummer son Spencer, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy performs songs from their new album, Sukierae.

    Reviews
  • Bio Ritmo
    S7E64

    Bio Ritmo

    Sep 29, 2014

    The 10-piece salsa band built its career on dance floors, where it never fails to make people move.

    Reviews
  • Ryan Keberle & Catharsis
    S7E65

    Ryan Keberle & Catharsis

    Oct 4, 2014

    The trombonist's working band established some nifty swing, assisted in absentia by Sufjan Stevens.

    Reviews
  • Jackson Browne
    S7E66

    Jackson Browne

    Oct 6, 2014

    Browne still writes songs with conviction, craftsmanship and careful attention to detail.

    Reviews
  • Raquel Sofia
    S7E67

    Raquel Sofia

    Oct 11, 2014

    Sofia has spent most of her career 20 feet from stardom as a backup singer for Juanes and Shakira.

    Reviews
  • The Bots
    S7E68

    The Bots

    Oct 14, 2014

    The band plays with a great rock-duo punch that recalls The White Stripes or JEFF The Brotherhood.

    Reviews
  • Ásgeir
    S7E69

    Ásgeir

    Oct 18, 2014

    The Icelandic singer's voice is angelic and yearning, his songs simple and universal.

    Reviews
  • Anthony D'Amato
    S7E70

    Anthony D'Amato

    Oct 20, 2014

    D'Amato's music can feel Motown-y, garage-y and Springsteen-y, but he sounds sparer here.

    Reviews
  • Danish String Quartet
    S7E71

    Danish String Quartet

    Oct 25, 2014

    Watch the young, versatile ensemble play folk music from around Denmark and beyond.

    Reviews
  • T-Pain
    S7E72

    T-Pain

    Oct 29, 2014

    We asked the King of Auto-Tune to grace the Tiny Desk without any embellishment or effects.

    Reviews
  • Banks
    S7E73

    Banks

    Oct 30, 2014

    Known for lavish electronic productions, Banks serves notice as a powerful singer in her own right.

    Reviews
  • Sun Ra Arkestra
    S7E74

    Sun Ra Arkestra

    Oct 31, 2014

    With costumes inspired by Egyptian symbolism and sci-fi, Ra's band plays a special Halloween set.

    Reviews
  • Making Movies
    S7E75

    Making Movies

    Nov 8, 2014

    A rousing band from Kansas City, Making Movies mixes languages and eras with infectious energy.

    Reviews
  • Roomful Of Teeth
    S7E76

    Roomful Of Teeth

    Nov 10, 2014

    Watch the group sing new music with yelps, yodels and a few fine harmonies.

    Reviews
  • Davíd Garza
    S7E77

    Davíd Garza

    Nov 15, 2014

    The Austin singer-songwriter joins his stunning voice with that of touring partner Gaby Moreno.

    Reviews
  • J Mascis
    S7E78

    J Mascis

    Nov 22, 2014

    The Dinosaur Jr. frontman, one of the world's loudest musicians, performs unplugged and acoustic.

    Reviews
  • Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
    S7E79

    Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

    Nov 24, 2014

    Benatar and Giraldo play three classics: "We Live For Love," "We Belong" and "Promises In The Dark."

    Reviews
  • Sam Amidon & Bill Frisell
    S7E80

    Sam Amidon & Bill Frisell

    Dec 1, 2014

    Amidon weaves his compositions into traditional music, while Frisell adds atmospheric guitar.

    Reviews
  • Dublin Guitar Quartet
    S7E81

    Dublin Guitar Quartet

    Dec 4, 2014

    Hear the Irish ensemble's fresh take on Philip Glass' propulsive yet intimate string quartets.

    Reviews
  • St. Paul And The Broken Bones
    S7E82

    St. Paul And The Broken Bones

    Dec 6, 2014

    The band's got heart and soul and flair, with a well-worn sound buoyed by strong, fresh songwriting.

    Reviews
  • Yusuf/Cat Stevens
    S7E83

    Yusuf/Cat Stevens

    Dec 9, 2014

    The singer performs two new songs, as well as "The First Cut Is the Deepest" and "Father and Son."

    Reviews
  • Lucinda Williams
    S7E84

    Lucinda Williams

    Dec 20, 2014

    She came to the desk a little unsure, and left singing "West Memphis" with intensity and passion.

    Reviews
  • HMSTR
    S7E85

    HMSTR

    Dec 24, 2014

    Watch our favorite hamsters play their twee-as-all-get-out holiday pop-punk song, "Snow Day."

    Reviews