NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
NPR Tiny Desk Concerts: Season 4

Air Date

January 3, 2011

Episodes

83 episodes

NPR Tiny Desk Concerts

Season 4

Episodes

Abigail Washburn

1. Abigail Washburn

January 3, 2011

Watch the singer-songwriter mix American bluegrass and Chinese folk from the NPR Music offices.

Gyptian

2. Gyptian

January 5, 2011

The reggae star performs his hit "Hold You" and more from the NPR Music offices in Washington, D.C.

David Wax Museum

3. David Wax Museum

January 9, 2011

The band brings a frenetic, infectious blend of American and Mexican folk to the NPR Music offices.

Ballake Sissoko And Vincent Segal

4. Ballake Sissoko And Vincent Segal

January 17, 2011

The masterful kora-and-cello duo performs a transfixing set combining African and European strings.

Iron And Wine

5. Iron And Wine

January 21, 2011

Sam Beam gives a fresh side of his new songs at NPR, and tops it off with a devastating 2004 gem.

Basia Bulat

6. Basia Bulat

January 24, 2011

The Canadian singer-songwriter sings highlights from her two albums, plus a surprise from Poland.

Richard Thompson

7. Richard Thompson

February 1, 2011

Watch the folk-rock legend perform songs from his 20th solo album, Dream Attic, at NPR Music.

Stars

8. Stars

February 3, 2011

Watch Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell transform three of Stars' songs into spare, pretty folk music.

Ivan And Alyosha

9. Ivan And Alyosha

February 7, 2011

The band showcases its Beatles-esque pop harmonies and sweet melodies from the NPR Music offices.

Esperanza Spalding

10. Esperanza Spalding

February 12, 2011

The jazz bassist, singer and Best New Artist Grammy winner performs in the NPR Music offices.

Turtle Island Quartet

11. Turtle Island Quartet

February 16, 2011

With an eclectic palette of sounds and styles, the Turtle Island Quartet swings at NPR Music.

Adele

12. Adele

February 17, 2011

In a three-song set at the NPR Music offices, the U.K. pop star showcases her brilliant voice.

Local Natives

13. Local Natives

February 21, 2011

The L.A. band brings its euphoric choruses and clattering Afrobeat rhythms to the NPR Music offices.

Damien Jurado

14. Damien Jurado

February 28, 2011

Hear Jurado's raw, time-worn, authentically graceful music, performed in the NPR Music office.

Steve Riley And The Mamou Playboys

15. Steve Riley And The Mamou Playboys

March 7, 2011

Watch the Grammy-nominated Cajun band play an upbeat yet bittersweet set from the NPR Music offices.

Lizz Wright

16. Lizz Wright

March 14, 2011

In this two-song set at the NPR Music offices, Wright channels the gospel and soul of her past.

Nellie McKay

17. Nellie McKay

April 4, 2011

McKay's bold, audacious personality shines in this set recorded at the NPR Music offices.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

18. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

April 6, 2011

Hear the Refugee All Stars' upbeat reggae grooves, performed live at the NPR Music offices.

Josh Ritter

19. Josh Ritter

April 11, 2011

Ritter can't hide his enjoyment of a performance, even when his songs convey obsession or disaster.

Otis Taylor

20. Otis Taylor

April 13, 2011

Watch the banjo player perform his trademark trance-inducing blues at the NPR Music offices.

Mount Kimbie

21. Mount Kimbie

April 18, 2011

Watch the dubstep duo perform our first-ever electronic Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR offices.

Pokey LaFarge

22. Pokey LaFarge

April 20, 2011

Watch LaFarge play '20s- and '30s-inspired music with the help of his band, The South City Three.

Steve Earle

23. Steve Earle

April 25, 2011

A singer, author, actor and activist, Earle showcases many of his talents at the NPR Music offices.

Wu Man

24. Wu Man

April 27, 2011

Watch the world's reigning pipa virtuoso play ancient music from her Chinese homeland.

Booker T. Jones

25. Booker T. Jones

May 2, 2011

Jones' name is synonymous with the Hammond B3 organ. Watch him play one in the NPR Music offices.

Julieta Venegas

26. Julieta Venegas

May 9, 2011

After six albums, including last year's Otra Cosa, Venegas is still defying expectations.

Neil Innes

27. Neil Innes

May 11, 2011

Watch the Rutles alumnus play three of his classic satirical songs in the NPR Music offices.

Future Islands

28. Future Islands

May 16, 2011

Watch the band's short but intense and cathartic set, performed live in the NPR Music offices.

Low

29. Low

May 22, 2011

Singers Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker perform three songs from their gorgeous new album, C'mon.

Jackie Evancho

30. Jackie Evancho

May 23, 2011

Watch the 11-year-old perform Handel's "Ombra mai fu" at the NPR Music offices.

The Kopecky Family Band

31. The Kopecky Family Band

June 6, 2011

The Tennessee band's sweet, swollen folk-rock songs keep blooming into something irresistible.

The Black Angels

32. The Black Angels

June 8, 2011

Hear a bold and surprising mix of sensibilities — at once icy and rustic, cavernous and confined.

Chris Thile And Michael Daves

33. Chris Thile And Michael Daves

June 13, 2011

Watch Thile and Daves play traditional bluegrass with New York intensity at the NPR Music offices.

Charlie Siem

34. Charlie Siem

June 15, 2011

Watch the stylish young violinist pull out a bag of tricks in music by Paganini.

The Decemberists

35. The Decemberists

June 20, 2011

With Chris Funk and Sara Watkins, Colin Meloy plays three sparkling songs from The King Is Dead.

YACHT

36. YACHT

June 22, 2011

Watch the electro-pop band's striking and infectious performance at the NPR Music offices.

The Civil Wars

37. The Civil Wars

June 27, 2011

Watch Joy Williams and John Paul White's swooning chemistry and stirring harmonies at NPR Music.

Milos

38. Milos

June 30, 2011

Watch the newcomer from Montenegro play Spanish standards and a passionate ode to his homeland.

The Blind Boys Of Alabama

39. The Blind Boys Of Alabama

July 5, 2011

Hear the gospel greats' mix of polished blues, swinging soul and from-the-gut expressions of faith.

Julian Lage Trio

40. Julian Lage Trio

July 7, 2011

The guitarist, 23, was once called a prodigy. But he's maturing into a distinctive bandleader, too.

Ben Sollee

41. Ben Sollee

July 11, 2011

The genre-bending cellist and songwriter has created a unique take on folk music.

Joe Boyd And Robyn Hitchcock

42. Joe Boyd And Robyn Hitchcock

July 18, 2011

Boyd reads from White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s, while Hitchcock plays songs from the era.

Y La Bamba

43. Y La Bamba

July 21, 2011

Watch Luzelena Mendoza and Y La Bamba craft joyfully rich vocal harmonies in the NPR Music offices.

Givers

44. Givers

July 24, 2011

At the NPR offices, the band plays a sunny, exuberant set, suitable for dancing and bobbing along.

They Might Be Giants

45. They Might Be Giants

July 28, 2011

Watch the band perform two of its brand-new songs, as well as "Fingertips," a classic 1992 chestnut.

Amanda Shires

46. Amanda Shires

August 3, 2011

The singer plays a charming set featuring songs from Carrying Lightning at the Tiny Desk.

Noah And The Whale

47. Noah And The Whale

August 10, 2011

The London band plugs in its drum machine, but sweet simplicity still reigns in the NPR offices.

Paul Jacobs

48. Paul Jacobs

August 12, 2011

Watch the miraculous hands (and feet) of the Grammy-winning organist in an all-Bach performance.

Gaby Moreno

49. Gaby Moreno

August 15, 2011

Watch the Guatemalan singer's breathtaking and passionate set at the NPR Music offices.

Other Lives

50. Other Lives

August 18, 2011

The Oklahoma band brings its spacious minor-key hymns to the NPR Music offices.

James Vincent McMorrow

51. James Vincent McMorrow

August 25, 2011

The Irishman has one of the most arresting voices of any young singer you're likely to hear.

CALLmeKAT

52. CALLmeKAT

August 29, 2011

Watch the synth-pop musician perform a hauntingly beautiful set at the NPR Music offices.

Phosphorescent

53. Phosphorescent

September 1, 2011

Watch Matthew Houck play a stirring, road-ragged solo Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR Music offices.

King Creosote And Jon Hopkins

54. King Creosote And Jon Hopkins

September 4, 2011

Diamond Mine's unassuming creators lose little of their charm and mystique in the NPR Music office.

Foster The People

55. Foster The People

September 9, 2011

Armed with the summer song of 2011, the band brings "Pumped Up Kicks" and more to NPR Music.

Diego Garcia

56. Diego Garcia

September 12, 2011

Watch the former Elefant frontman perform songs from his album Laura at the NPR Music offices.

Sean Rowe

57. Sean Rowe

September 16, 2011

Rowe brings his booming voice and ever-louder acoustic-guitar set-ups to the NPR Music offices.

Jeremy Messersmith

58. Jeremy Messersmith

September 19, 2011

The Twin Cities singer is a pop genius, with creative ambition to match his considerable charm.

Beirut

59. Beirut

September 21, 2011

Beirut performs worldly, inspired songs from its new album The Rip Tide at the NPR Music offices.

Jenny Lin

60. Jenny Lin

September 26, 2011

The pianist usually plays eight-foot Steinways. See what she does on an electronic keyboard.

The Klezmatics

61. The Klezmatics

September 28, 2011

Ring in Rosh Hashanah with three globe-trotting tunes from one of the world's greatest Jewish bands.

Trombone Shorty

62. Trombone Shorty

September 29, 2011

The New Orleans native achieved stardom with his voice and his horn. But he just wants you to dance.

Mates Of State

63. Mates Of State

October 5, 2011

The band's performance in the NPR Music offices creates a vibe of ragged, awkward intimacy.

Fountains Of Wayne

64. Fountains Of Wayne

October 6, 2011

These songs showcase a band with tremendous narrative gifts and a flair for subtle beauty.

JEFF The Brotherhood

65. JEFF The Brotherhood

October 8, 2011

Of course, the power-punk duo took off their shirts at the NPR Music offices, because why not?

Grouplove

66. Grouplove

October 11, 2011

The upstart band brings youthful, infectious energy to the NPR Music offices.

Chris Bathgate

67. Chris Bathgate

October 14, 2011

The Michigan native's deliberately paced music is too rustic and pretty to be a true downer.

Wilco

68. Wilco

October 17, 2011

Armed with tiny amps and a ton of grace, Wilco plays new songs and an old favorite at the Tiny Desk.

Hilary Hahn

69. Hilary Hahn

October 21, 2011

The classical violinist blends Bach and Charles Ives with flair, then tops it off with a fedora.

Ben Williams And Sound Effect

70. Ben Williams And Sound Effect

October 24, 2011

The jazz star and his band perform two songs from their album State of Art at the NPR Music offices.

Lisa Hannigan

71. Lisa Hannigan

October 29, 2011

Exuding both musical and personal warmth, the Irish singer mesmerized at the NPR Music offices.

Juanes

72. Juanes

November 3, 2011

Watch the charismatic Colombian superstar give an intimate performance at the NPR Music offices.

Jens Lekman

73. Jens Lekman

November 7, 2011

The Swedish singer shows off his humor and charm in this intimate set at the NPR Music offices.

Marketa Irglova

74. Marketa Irglova

November 10, 2011

At the NPR Music offices, Irglova mixes the exotic and the familiar; sweetness and longing.

Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart Duncan

75. Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart Duncan

November 17, 2011

The genre-bending cellist heads a dream team of string players who borrow from bluegrass.

Joe Henry

76. Joe Henry

November 21, 2011

Asking the fearless, easygoing singer to perform in a crowded office never felt like an imposition.

Hospital Ships

77. Hospital Ships

November 23, 2011

Hospital Ships' beautiful, crushing songs pack an emotional punch in this performance at NPR Music.

Gabriel Kahane

78. Gabriel Kahane

November 26, 2011

Hear the agile musician's rigorously crafted songs, which fall somewhere between classical and pop.

tUnE-yArDs

79. tUnE-yArDs

December 1, 2011

tUnE-yArDs sings of rage and inequality, but also celebrates the joy of letting out a wild sound.

I Wayne

80. I Wayne

December 12, 2011

As the cameras rolled, the reggae star came to life, showcasing his smooth voice and vibrant energy.

Gem Club

81. Gem Club

December 16, 2011

Maybe you couldn't hear a pin drop when Gem Club played, but you could hear the click of a keyboard.

The Music Tapes

82. The Music Tapes

December 20, 2011

The Elephant 6 alum plays a holiday set compete with bowed banjos, singing saws and tape machines.

Maria Volonte

83. Maria Volonte

December 27, 2011

The Argentine singer blends tango, Latin blues and the traditional music of Brazil and Peru.

No cast information available