Tag: tiny desk

Kara Frame | August 1, 2025 On a cold and snowy night this past winter, Sierra Hull and her band brought bluegrass to Washington, D.C. Despite the frigid temperatures outside, barefoot fans danced as if at a summer music festival. Ever since she first picked up the instrument at a young age, the mandolin virtuoso has captivated audiences; it’s no surprise that she still owns the stage two decades later. At the Tiny Desk months later, her set features four songs from A Tip Toe High Wire, her latest album. “Boom” and “Lord, That’s a Long Way” showcase her incredibly [See More…]

Bobby Carter | July 29, 2025 Many artists who’ve played the Tiny Desk have come on the strength of their children. Most recently, Marvin Sapp told us, “My kids said that I had to do this.” In Sasha Keable’s case, it was her dad who introduced her to the Tiny Desk way back when Tom Jones played in 2009. Despite Keable’s early goals, she faced a series of music industry setbacks that could have led her to quit. However, her Tiny Desk performance stands as a testament to her resilience, a victory lap in a race that’s only just begun. [See More…]

Anamaria Sayre | July 22, 2025 Spanish producer and pianist Rusowsky has built a career, thus far, on making other people’s authenticity shine. This year, he released his debut album, DAISY, and took a stab at shifting the spotlight on his own artistry. And, in this Tiny Desk performance, Rusowsky’s soul is revealed for the first time in full force. Ever the producer, DAISY is intentional — beautifully orchestrated and aware of its own ability to manipulate. With all kinds of crashing sounds and fun synths, Rusowsky coats every song with carefully laid diversions. While artistic and bright, the studio [See More…]

Maia Stern | July 15, 2025 “Come on, Tiny D!” Kele Okereke excitedly yelps about a minute into Bloc Party’s Tiny Desk concert. The English rock group’s members were stoked to pay us a visit during their recent trip across the pond — and we were lucky to have them. They approached the Tiny Desk challenge with ease and delivered a carefully curated set with smiles and all. This year marks two decades since the release of Bloc Party’s enduring debut album. To celebrate, this Tiny Desk set begins with the super catchy and energetic pop anthem “Banquet” from Silent [See More…]

Bobby Carter | July 11, 2025 After a 16-year hiatus and with no go-to band in place, Clipse’s Tiny Desk took lots of time to piece together. At first, I didn’t know exactly what they were looking for, in terms of sonics, but it clicked when I was told what they didn’t want: no jazzy renditions of their music. They meant no disrespect to jazz at all, and if you follow the duo’s music, it boils down to hard drums and even harder synths. Hybrid drummer Daru Jones, who played on last year’s Tiny Desk for the LOX, was the [See More…]

Robin Hilton | July 9, 2025 We’ve been chasing a Wet Leg Tiny Desk ever since the Isle of Wight band floored us with the 2021 single “Chaise Longue,” a song that, like much of the group’s work, is as understated and droll as it is frenetic and infectious. So, when we finally got Wet Leg into the office to record this performance, we weren’t surprised by the amount of playful swagger the band brought, or by how carefully calibrated the set was. But fans might be surprised by how much Wet Leg leans into that more understated side. You [See More…]

Lars Gotrich | July 2, 2025 Two guitars. Two voices. Fifteen years since the duo last stopped by the Tiny Desk, not much has changed in how they present themselves, right down to their preferred guitar tuner. This is how it’s been, with some variation, for over three decades, in the timeless music of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. And, yet, everything changes when you listen deeper and live longer. Behind the Desk, facing each other, the ballad “Empty Trainload of Sky” achieves an auditory illusion as their guitars chug and vocal harmonies swirl surrealistic imagery across a classic American [See More…]

This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk honors the anniversaries of landmark albums that have shaped the course of music and culture. Felix Contreras | June 25, 2025 Did we really squeeze the big sound of Living Colour behind the Tiny Desk? Yes, we did. And, yet, the band lost none of its intensity at a slightly lower volume. Living Colour starts with “Cult of Personality,” the shot heard around the world, but spends the rest of the set celebrating 35 years of Time’s Up. The album planted a flag for Black rock bands inspired by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, [See More…]

This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk honors the anniversaries of landmark albums that have shaped the course of music and culture. Bobby Carter | June 23, 2025 Five years ago, Alex Isley gave us a Tiny Desk (home) concert to remember … and ever since, I’ve wanted to bring her into the office for a proper shoot. To preserve everything in her vocal cords, the LA native remained silent until it was time to perform, even pensive as she approached the Desk. Still, her eyes gleamed with enthusiasm for the moment that she and her fans had anticipated for years. [See More…]

This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk honors the anniversaries of landmark albums that have shaped the course of music and culture. Bobby Carter | June 20, 2025 Before he stepped behind the Tiny Desk, Beenie Man contemplated our office space. The man born Moses Anthony Davis is accustomed to performing at maximum velocity, touching every part of a big stage … and here were but a few square feet for him to move. Nevertheless, the king of dancehall brings Kingston to Washington, D.C. As an exemplar of longevity, he pauses to remind us just how long he’s been at it: [See More…]