NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 4

January. 03,2011
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8.5
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NR
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Intimate musical performances, recorded live at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.

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NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 4 Full Episode Guide

Episode 83 - Maria Volonte
First Aired: December. 27,2011

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

Episode 82 - The Music Tapes
First Aired: December. 20,2011

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

Episode 81 - Gem Club
First Aired: December. 16,2011

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

Episode 80 - I Wayne
First Aired: December. 12,2011

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

Episode 79 - tUnE-yArDs
First Aired: December. 01,2011

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

Episode 78 - Gabriel Kahane
First Aired: November. 26,2011

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

Episode 77 - Hospital Ships
First Aired: November. 23,2011

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

Episode 76 - Joe Henry
First Aired: November. 21,2011

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

Episode 75 - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart Duncan
First Aired: November. 17,2011

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

Episode 74 - Marketa Irglova
First Aired: November. 10,2011

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

Episode 73 - Jens Lekman
First Aired: November. 07,2011

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

Episode 72 - Juanes
First Aired: November. 03,2011

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

Episode 71 - Lisa Hannigan
First Aired: October. 29,2011

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

Episode 70 - Ben Williams And Sound Effect
First Aired: October. 24,2011

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

Episode 69 - Hilary Hahn
First Aired: October. 21,2011

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

Episode 68 - Wilco
First Aired: October. 17,2011

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

Episode 67 - Chris Bathgate
First Aired: October. 14,2011

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

Episode 66 - Grouplove
First Aired: October. 11,2011

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

Episode 65 - JEFF The Brotherhood
First Aired: October. 08,2011

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

Episode 64 - Fountains Of Wayne
First Aired: October. 06,2011

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

Episode 63 - Mates Of State
First Aired: October. 05,2011

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

Episode 62 - Trombone Shorty
First Aired: September. 29,2011

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

Episode 61 - The Klezmatics
First Aired: September. 28,2011

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

Episode 60 - Jenny Lin
First Aired: September. 26,2011

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

Episode 59 - Beirut
First Aired: September. 21,2011

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

Episode 58 - Jeremy Messersmith
First Aired: September. 19,2011

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

Episode 57 - Sean Rowe
First Aired: September. 16,2011

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

Episode 56 - Diego Garcia
First Aired: September. 12,2011

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

Episode 55 - Foster The People
First Aired: September. 09,2011

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

Episode 54 - King Creosote And Jon Hopkins
First Aired: September. 04,2011

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

Episode 53 - Phosphorescent
First Aired: September. 01,2011

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

Episode 52 - CALLmeKAT
First Aired: August. 29,2011

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

Episode 51 - James Vincent McMorrow
First Aired: August. 25,2011

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

Episode 50 - Other Lives
First Aired: August. 18,2011

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

Episode 49 - Gaby Moreno
First Aired: August. 15,2011

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

Episode 48 - Paul Jacobs
First Aired: August. 12,2011

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

Episode 47 - Noah And The Whale
First Aired: August. 10,2011

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

Episode 46 - Amanda Shires
First Aired: August. 03,2011

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

Episode 45 - They Might Be Giants
First Aired: July. 28,2011

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

Episode 44 - Givers
First Aired: July. 24,2011

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

Episode 43 - Y La Bamba
First Aired: July. 21,2011

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

Episode 42 - Joe Boyd And Robyn Hitchcock
First Aired: July. 18,2011

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

Episode 41 - Ben Sollee
First Aired: July. 11,2011

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

Episode 40 - Julian Lage Trio
First Aired: July. 07,2011

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

Episode 39 - The Blind Boys Of Alabama
First Aired: July. 05,2011

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

Episode 38 - Milos
First Aired: June. 30,2011

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

Episode 37 - The Civil Wars
First Aired: June. 27,2011

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

Episode 36 - YACHT
First Aired: June. 22,2011

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

Episode 35 - The Decemberists
First Aired: June. 20,2011

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

Episode 34 - Charlie Siem
First Aired: June. 15,2011

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

Episode 33 - Chris Thile And Michael Daves
First Aired: June. 13,2011

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

Episode 32 - The Black Angels
First Aired: June. 08,2011

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

Episode 31 - The Kopecky Family Band
First Aired: June. 06,2011

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

Episode 30 - Jackie Evancho
First Aired: May. 23,2011

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

Episode 29 - Low
First Aired: May. 22,2011

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

Episode 28 - Future Islands
First Aired: May. 16,2011

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

Episode 27 - Neil Innes
First Aired: May. 11,2011

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

Episode 26 - Julieta Venegas
First Aired: May. 09,2011

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

Episode 25 - Booker T. Jones
First Aired: May. 02,2011

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

Episode 24 - Wu Man
First Aired: April. 27,2011

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

Episode 23 - Steve Earle
First Aired: April. 25,2011

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

Episode 22 - Pokey LaFarge
First Aired: April. 20,2011

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

Episode 21 - Mount Kimbie
First Aired: April. 18,2011

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

Episode 20 - Otis Taylor
First Aired: April. 13,2011

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

Episode 19 - Josh Ritter
First Aired: April. 11,2011

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

Episode 18 - Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
First Aired: April. 06,2011

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

Episode 17 - Nellie McKay
First Aired: April. 04,2011

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

Episode 16 - Lizz Wright
First Aired: March. 14,2011

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

Episode 15 - Steve Riley And The Mamou Playboys
First Aired: March. 07,2011

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

Episode 14 - Damien Jurado
First Aired: February. 28,2011

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

Episode 13 - Local Natives
First Aired: February. 21,2011

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

Episode 12 - Adele
First Aired: February. 17,2011

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

Episode 11 - Turtle Island Quartet
First Aired: February. 16,2011

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

Episode 10 - Esperanza Spalding
First Aired: February. 12,2011

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

Episode 9 - Ivan And Alyosha
First Aired: February. 07,2011

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

Episode 8 - Stars
First Aired: February. 03,2011

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

Episode 7 - Richard Thompson
First Aired: February. 01,2011

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

Episode 6 - Basia Bulat
First Aired: January. 24,2011

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

Episode 5 - Iron And Wine
First Aired: January. 21,2011

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

Episode 4 - Ballake Sissoko And Vincent Segal
First Aired: January. 17,2011

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

Episode 3 - David Wax Museum
First Aired: January. 09,2011

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

Episode 2 - Gyptian
First Aired: January. 05,2011

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

Episode 1 - Abigail Washburn
First Aired: January. 03,2011

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

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