Season 9

2016 · 91 episodes

Episodes

1RapsodyWatch the rapper perform three songs from Beauty And The Beast live at the NPR Music offices.
2Mariachi Flor De ToloacheWhile on tour with The Arcs, the powerhouse mariachi band performs live in the NPR Music offices.
3Natalie MerchantThe singer-songwriter gives a warmhearted performance of two new songs, an old favorite and a hymn.
4Benny SingsThe Dutch singer layers R&B, jazz and pop over hip-hop beats in his first-ever U.S. appearance.
5River WhylessThe North Carolina band fills its rootsy music with unexpected instruments and clever ideas.
6Wolf AliceThe band's music can be noisy and primal, but at the Tiny Desk it showed a different side.
7The ArcsIt's our 500th show at the Tiny Desk, featuring The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and his new band.
8EL VYThe National's Matt Berninger and Menomena's Brent Knopf team up in an intimate setting.
9Car Seat HeadrestWill Toledo is a wordsmith with a vision, as well as a DIY sound that's still finely crafted.
10Chelsea WolfeWolfe takes three songs from the metallic Abyss and makes them howl by their lonesome.
11Ben FoldsPerforming solo, Folds performs three songs from his new album and two old favorites.
12WilcoBands don't typically get to play the Tiny Desk more than once, but Wilco is a natural exception.
13Brushy One StringThe word-of-mouth star's sound is made by one big fat E-string and a rich, powerful voice.
14Lake Street DivePerformed live at the Tiny Desk, the band's songs often tilt toward soul or rock danceably.
15Monsieur PerinéThe Colombian band channels an unlikely inspiration: 1920s-era, guitar-driven jazz from the U.S.
16Julien BakerThe young Tennessee singer performs three of her spare, sad, simple songs at the NPR Music offices.
17Gaelynn LeaWatch the singer and violinist who stood out from 6,000-plus entries in NPR's Tiny Desk Contest.
18Graham NashIn a short set that spans 50 years, the CSNY veteran's voice resonates and cuts to the core.
19Tedeschi Trucks BandSinger-guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks celebrate the blues, jazz and much more.
20Anthony HamiltonHear the soul star and his band perform "Amen," plus three songs that have defined his career.
21Ane BrunWatch Brun play three new songs, each of which speaks to newfound freedom and fresh opportunities.
22PWR BTTMThe duo has a keen sense of mischief and a gift for honest, punk-infused, tongue-in-cheek pop gems.
23MothersMothers' members chose a few of their slowest, most languid songs to perform in the NPR offices.
24PalehoundEllen Kempner and her band perform tense and evocative songs amid the silence of a rapt crowd.
25SeratonesThe Louisiana band takes gospel into the garage, and what comes out is fiery rock 'n' roll.
26Benjamin ClementineThere are intimate moments of revelation in Clementine's immersive, breathtaking performance.
27Julia HolterThe most minute details become a grandiose spectacle in Holter's cosmic cabaret.
28Sister Sparrow & The Dirty BirdsThe band's punchy horn section, bluesy vocals and harmonica solos instantly demand attention.
29Peter FramptonFrampton brought some classic songs to the Tiny Desk. We couldn't help but sing along.
30FloristEmily Sprague performs three delicate songs with help from members of New York's Epoch collective.
31Eighth BlackbirdWatch the sextet perform new music by David Lang, Bryce Dessner and Robert Honstein.
32MonikaWhen you hear Monika, life feels good: The singer's performances and presence are simply winning.
33Lara St. JohnWith her intrepid pianist in tow, the violinist performs rowdy tunes that will leave you breathless.
34Daymé ArocenaArocena's voice combines Aretha Franklin's soul and the sabor of Cuban music queen Celia Cruz.
35Steve KimockThe veteran jam-rock guitarist's dedication to his instrument is matched only by his imagination.
36Andy ShaufThe Saskatchewan singer-songwriter performs three quietly affecting songs in the NPR Music offices.
37Robert EllisEllis plays thoughtfully stripped-down arrangements from his ambitious country record.
38Carrie RodriguezWatch the singer, guitarist and fiddler play three songs that reflect her many cultural influences.
39Andrew BirdFor this performance of three new songs, Bird comes with a stripped-down acoustic band.
40Barry DouglasWatch the award-winning Irish pianist play traditional songs from the homeland.
41Sam Beam & Jesca HoopIron & Wine's singer performs three songs with the charming, inventive singer Jesca Hoop.
42WeavesThe band's music is playful and quirky — sometimes loud, sometimes gentle and always a trip.
43Chick Corea & Gary BurtonThe two highly decorated jazz legends could barely fit their instruments behind the Tiny Desk.
44Alessio BaxFor Father's Day, watch the pianist play lullabies to his daughter, who nearly steals the show.
45Brandy ClarkThe country singer-songwriter has a rare gift for making any room feel warmly human.
46Mashrou' LeilaA rock band from Beirut performs songs that mix hedonism and hyper-literate lyrics.
47Charles Lloyd & Jason MoranThe saxophonist and pianist play three tunes that draw from their past while looking to the future.
48Adia VictoriaPerforming at the NPR Music offices, Adia Victoria's voice is powerful and direct, with no artifice.
49Los HacherosLos Hacheros' members tap into the deep groove of Afro-Caribbean music that inspires modern salsa.
50Valley QueenValley Queen plays with nuance and depth, rooted in a California country sound.
51Jane BunnettThe Canadian jazz multi-instrumentalist performs with some of the top young women musicians in Cuba.
52Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel BandThere's a point when a jam is just a jam, but when a jam becomes a journey... man.
53Gregory PorterPorter's music can be serious and heartwarming, but it never loses its sense of wonder and delight.
54John Congleton And The Nighty NiteThe decorated producer seizes the spotlight with songs about how extraordinary it is to be ordinary.
55Xenia RubinosRubinos uses her Afro-Caribbean roots as a jumping-off point for inventive, provocative songs.
56Lucy DacusThe Virginia musician writes songs that can be thoughtful, playful and powerful.
57Kevin MorbyThe singer, known for Woods and The Babies, performs carefully crafted songs with powerful lyrics.
58Rachel Barton PineWatch the genial violinist commune with nearly 300-year-old music for solo violin by J.S. Bach.
59The JayhawksThe beloved band displays its signature country-tinged rock and close harmonies in four new songs.
60René MarieJoined by her Experiment In Truth band, the jazz singer performs songs from Sound Of Red.
61Anderson .Paak & The Free NationalsWatch the invigorating, genre-busting bandleader, drummer, singer and rapper perform four songs.
62Eddie PalmieriAn icon for modern and Latin jazz, the veteran performer continues to break tradition and innovate.
63Margaret GlaspyNo overplaying, no frills, just great music and an artist who sounds thrilled to be playing it.
64Nina DiazAs a solo artist on leave from Girl In A Coma, the singer finds new ways to sound ferocious.
65Big ThiefThe band's songs exude muscular warmth, with lyrics that are both memorable and meaningful.
66William BellThe 77-year-old blues and soul hitmaker returns to the spotlight with the aid of a 12-piece band.
67The Secret SistersThe Alabama sibling duo's music can be hymn-like: plain but powerful, heartsick and hopeful.
68Saul WilliamsYou can feel the singer and poet's passion in every sharp, thoughtful, powerful, provocative word.
69Corinne Bailey RaeThe genre-defying English singer-songwriter performs material from her first album in six years.
70Blue Man GroupThe world-famous entertainers retrofitted their instruments and confetti cannons to fit the desk.
71Joshua Bell & Jeremy DenkTwo A-list classical artists work up a sweat as they revel in the turbulent, tender music of Brahms.
72Common At The White HouseThe veteran rapper fronts an all-star band at the White House.
73Haley BonarThe Minnesota singer-songwriter achieves a nifty balance of intimacy and impeccable polish.
74RDGLDGRNA striking mix of rock, hip-hop, funk, go-go and Brazilian sounds, fused with energy and humor.
75Billy Bragg & Joe HenryThe two songwriters celebrate the romance and vitality of the modern railroad.
76Blind PilotThe folk-pop band performs four songs from its shimmery new album, And Then Like Lions.
77Drive-By TruckersThe long-running rock band holds a mirror to the hard realities of America right now.
78JosephThe trio strips anthemic songs down to the essentials: just sisterly harmonies and acoustic guitar.
79The WesterliesThe self-described "accidental brass quartet" swims comfortably in jazz, classical and pop music.
80Ta-ku & WafiaThe two Australians' chemistry is apparent the instant you hear their voices intertwined in song.
81Adam TorresThe Austin singer-songwriter showcases his high, lonesome voice and atmospheric storytelling.
82John Paul WhiteFormerly half of The Civil Wars, White returns to perform three songs from his solo debut, Beulah.
83Attacca QuartetThe young quartet navigates smoke rings, alligators and the stormy fluctuations of the 18th century.
84Tegan And SaraThe Canadian pop duo crafts acoustic versions of pop anthems like "Closer and "Boyfriend."
85Margo PriceOn the morning after Election Day, Price sang three cathartic country songs loaded with new meaning.
86PinegroveWatch the New Jersey band squeeze four songs into a scrappy, warmhearted 13-minute set.
87Ro JamesThe R&B singer performs three funky, sexy, stripped-down songs from his debut album, Eldorado.
88Alsarah & The NubatonesIn the band's hands, East African music comes alive in a mix of tradition and contemporary sounds.
89Gucci ManeThe rapper has spent the year on an extended victory tour. Here are the spoils.
90Derek GripperThe classically trained guitarist performs songs originally written for the kora.
91The Oh HellosThe nine-piece band returns to the Tiny Desk to fill the air with fake snow and real joy.