NPR Tiny Desk Concerts (2008)

Episodes

1. 1 1. Van-Anh Vanessa Vo2014-01-04The musician unpacks an array of traditional Vietnamese instruments — and 1,000 years of culture.
2. 2 2. Lily & Madeleine2014-01-07The teenagers play a restrained, homespun mix of folk and pop with undeniably sweet harmonies.
3. 3 3. Afro Blue2014-01-13The Howard University vocal jazz ensemble performs beautiful African-American spirituals.
4. 4 4. Robert Glasper Experiment2014-01-20Members of the Grammy-winning, organic R&B Experiment band jam with singer Marsha Ambrosius.
5. 5 5. Angel Olsen2014-01-27The expressive, powerful singer previews songs from her new album, Burn Your Fire for No Witness.
6. 6 6. Pixies2014-02-03Hear the legendary band perform 1989's "Monkey Gone to Heaven" and two new songs — one unreleased.
7. 7 7. Fanfare Ciocarlia2014-02-08The joyous Balkan brass band plays at a pace that would make the Ramones burst into a sweat.
8. 8 8. Suzanne Vega2014-02-10The inventive folk-music veteran book-ends a four-song set with her hits "Luka" and "Tom's Diner."
9. 9 9. Cate Le Bon2014-02-18The Welsh singer's set conveys loneliness and doubt with just two guitars and an inviting whisper.
10. 10 10. Sofia Rei2014-02-22For about 20 minutes one sunny afternoon, Rei turned a desk into a small Latin American folk club.
11. 11 11. Brass Bed2014-02-24See the band re-create some of its stellar studio effects with a pedal steel and some novelty mics.
12. 12 12. Asaf Avidan2014-03-02Avidan has an album and no U.S. record label to put it out. But he's on a solo tour that's stunning.
13. 13 13. Lowland Hum2014-03-06It's hard to convey the sound of two people in love, but Lowland Hum does that effortlessly.
14. 14 14. Jake Bugg2014-03-10Watch the 20-year-old English singer-songwriter, who has worked with superproducer Rick Rubin.
15. 15 15. Diane Cluck2014-03-17On record, Cluck's elastic voice and fingerpicking are impressive. Live, they jam the senses.
16. 16 16. Joseph Calleja2014-03-24All the world's top opera houses want the young tenor with the old-school approach.
17. 17 17. The Haden Triplets2014-03-31When the sisters cover classic country music together, the result is a treat and a trip in time.
18. 18 18. The Both2014-04-07Singer-songwriters Aimee Mann and Ted Leo unite from opposite ends of the volume knob.
19. 19 19. Tom Brosseau2014-04-12The North Dakota singer-songwriter possesses one of the most arresting voices in folk music today.
20. 20 20. Courtney Barnett2014-04-14Barnett tells stories like your best friend, provided your best friend is a funny Australian poet.
21. 21 21. Usman Riaz2014-04-19A young Pakistani musician treats the guitar as percussion — with surprisingly shimmering results.
22. 22 22. Federico Aubele2014-04-21The Argentine singer uses his dark, husky voice to produce a specific effect in these three songs.
23. 23 23. Quilt2014-04-26Interweaving harmonies and guitar lines set the tone for these soft, benevolent, dreamy songs.
24. 24 24. Johnnyswim2014-04-28Impossibly telegenic and charming, the band mixes booming intensity with polish and sparkle.
25. 25 25. Cian Nugent2014-05-03The Dublin guitarist runs through a ragtime jaunt, a basement-bar choogle and a sad-sack closer.
26. 26 26. Public Service Broadcasting2014-05-05The duo's sample-laden instrumental music is entertainment as education for the head and feet alike.
27. 27 27. Timber Timbre2014-05-10See the swamp-folk band play a characteristically eerie and mysterious set in the NPR Music offices.
28. 28 28. Chvrches2014-05-12The Scottish synth-pop band turns up with a small arsenal of synthesizers to perform three songs.
29. 29 29. Iestyn Davies2014-05-17See the countertenor and lutenist Thomas Dunford perform John Dowland's melancholy songs.
30. 30 30. Ages And Ages2014-05-20The band makes the kind of music that can at least briefly restore your faith in humanity.
31. 31 31. Yasmine Hamdan2014-05-24The Lebanese singer-songwriter is one of the most groundbreaking musicians in the Middle East.
32. 32 32. Hozier2014-05-27 · 15mAndrew Hozier-Byrne wraps his rich, vital, soulful voice around songs rooted in the blues.
33. 33 33. Juana Molina2014-05-31Molina sounds as if she'd been raised by wolves and discovered the world of music on her own.
34. 34 34. Simone Dinnerstein2014-06-02Watch the celebrated pianist make Bach's Two-part Inventions sing and zing.
35. 35 35. Marian McLaughlin2014-06-07A quirky and wistful performer with a string section, McLaughlin makes music like few others.
36. 36 36. Eliot Fisk And Paco Peña2014-06-14A classical virtuoso and an equally captivating flamenco player combine for a set of duets.
37. 37 37. Rodney Crowell2014-06-16The country singer-songwriter performs with the ease and swagger of a man comfortable in his ways.
38. 38 38. Mali Music2014-06-21The singer-songwriter and musician performs with unabashed positivity and an uplifting spirit.
39. 39 39. Conor Oberst2014-06-23The Bright Eyes singer performs songs from Upside Down Mountain with help from members of Dawes.
40. 40 40. Tracy Silverman2014-06-28See the innovative player create waves of sound with a six-string violin.
41. 41 41. Lydia Loveless2014-07-01The 23-year-old singer-guitarist performs gritty, countrified blues-rock in the NPR Music offices.
42. 42 42. The Foreign Exchange2014-07-05Watch the Tiny Desk turn into a church, comedy club and neo-soul spot.
43. 43 43. Moon Hooch2014-07-07They call what they make "cave music" — but it's just as powerful at the Tiny Desk.
44. 44 44. John Grant2014-07-13Grant's songs don't mess around, with lyrics that function as darts of retort and thought.
45. 45 45. Holly Williams2014-07-14The singer has a magnificent way with phrasing, not to mention a remarkable country-music lineage.
46. 46 46. Marisa Anderson2014-07-19The guitarist kicks up some dirt with a Rev. Gary Davis deconstruction and a Stratocaster hoedown.
47. 47 47. Hamilton Leithauser2014-07-21In this three-song set, the Walkmen singer demonstrates that he's lost none of his vocal power.
48. 48 48. Highasakite2014-07-25Watch an atmospheric Norwegian band with a yearning sound. Also: See a flugabone!
49. 49 49. Saintseneca2014-07-29In the NPR offices, the Ohio band plays three alternately brooding and stomping songs from Dark Arc.
50. 50 50. Quetzal2014-08-02The veteran East L.A. band's music penetrates the intellect even as it makes your hips sway.
51. 51 51. The Family Crest2014-08-04The band's seven players are trained in classical and jazz, led by Liam McCormick's powerful voice.
52. 52 52. Irene Diaz2014-08-09With Carolyn Cardoza, Diaz conjures a place where emotions run deep and beauty is unmistakable.
53. 53 53. Bob Mould2014-08-11The former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman plugs in for a characteristically loud four-song set.
54. 54 54. Ernest Ranglin2014-08-16Watch a talented, charming guitar legend make magic as his band Avila holds down the beat.
55. 55 55. Pacifica Quartet2014-08-18Watch the group play selections from Shostakovich's cycle of introspective string quartets.
56. 56 56. Rodrigo Amarante2014-08-23A veteran of Little Joy and Los Hermanos, Amarante makes warm, tender music as a solo artist.
57. 57 57. Nickel Creek2014-08-26The band was made to sing and play around one microphone, so a Tiny Desk Concert seemed inevitable.
58. 58 58. Sturgill Simpson2014-08-30 · 15mThe Kentucky native writes country songs about loneliness, failed dreams, drinking and drugs.
59. 59 59. Trampled By Turtles2014-09-03Known for the speed of their playing, the Minnesotans are about more than just blistering bluegrass.
60. 60 60. Jessica Lea Mayfield2014-09-06Mayfield's music has gotten more beguiling as she explores the many contrasts in her hypnotic sound.
61. 61 61. Justin Townes Earle2014-09-08In advance of his new album Single Mothers, the singer performs two new songs and an old favorite.
62. 62 62. Luluc2014-09-15Graceful singing and storytelling meet guitars and textures that help create an unforgettable aura.
63. 63 63. Tweedy2014-09-22With his drummer son Spencer, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy performs songs from their new album, Sukierae.
64. 64 64. Bio Ritmo2014-09-29The 10-piece salsa band built its career on dance floors, where it never fails to make people move.
65. 65 65. Ryan Keberle & Catharsis2014-10-04The trombonist's working band established some nifty swing, assisted in absentia by Sufjan Stevens.
66. 66 66. Jackson Browne2014-10-06Browne still writes songs with conviction, craftsmanship and careful attention to detail.
67. 67 67. Raquel Sofia2014-10-11Sofia has spent most of her career 20 feet from stardom as a backup singer for Juanes and Shakira.
68. 68 68. The Bots2014-10-14The band plays with a great rock-duo punch that recalls The White Stripes or JEFF The Brotherhood.
69. 69 69. Ásgeir2014-10-18The Icelandic singer's voice is angelic and yearning, his songs simple and universal.
70. 70 70. Anthony D'Amato2014-10-20D'Amato's music can feel Motown-y, garage-y and Springsteen-y, but he sounds sparer here.
71. 71 71. Danish String Quartet2014-10-25Watch the young, versatile ensemble play folk music from around Denmark and beyond.
72. 72 72. T-Pain2014-10-29We asked the King of Auto-Tune to grace the Tiny Desk without any embellishment or effects.
73. 73 73. Banks2014-10-30Known for lavish electronic productions, Banks serves notice as a powerful singer in her own right.
74. 74 74. Sun Ra Arkestra2014-10-31With costumes inspired by Egyptian symbolism and sci-fi, Ra's band plays a special Halloween set.
75. 75 75. Making Movies2014-11-08A rousing band from Kansas City, Making Movies mixes languages and eras with infectious energy.
76. 76 76. Roomful Of Teeth2014-11-10Watch the group sing new music with yelps, yodels and a few fine harmonies.
77. 77 77. Davíd Garza2014-11-15The Austin singer-songwriter joins his stunning voice with that of touring partner Gaby Moreno.
78. 78 78. J Mascis2014-11-22The Dinosaur Jr. frontman, one of the world's loudest musicians, performs unplugged and acoustic.
79. 79 79. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo2014-11-24Benatar and Giraldo play three classics: "We Live For Love," "We Belong" and "Promises In The Dark."
80. 80 80. Sam Amidon & Bill Frisell2014-12-01Amidon weaves his compositions into traditional music, while Frisell adds atmospheric guitar.
81. 81 81. Dublin Guitar Quartet2014-12-04Hear the Irish ensemble's fresh take on Philip Glass' propulsive yet intimate string quartets.
82. 82 82. St. Paul And The Broken Bones2014-12-06The band's got heart and soul and flair, with a well-worn sound buoyed by strong, fresh songwriting.
83. 83 83. Yusuf/Cat Stevens2014-12-09The singer performs two new songs, as well as "The First Cut Is the Deepest" and "Father and Son."
84. 84 84. Lucinda Williams2014-12-20She came to the desk a little unsure, and left singing "West Memphis" with intensity and passion.
85. 85 85. HMSTR2014-12-24Watch our favorite hamsters play their twee-as-all-get-out holiday pop-punk song, "Snow Day."