Season 7

2014 · 85 episodes

Episodes

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