Season 2016 poster
91 episodes

NPR Tiny Desk Concerts - Season 2016

First aired Jan 5, 2016Season 9

Browse all 91 episodes in this season, including available images, air dates, runtimes, ratings and episode summaries from TMDB.

Episodes

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Episode 1

Rapsody

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Jan 5, 2016

Watch the rapper perform three songs from Beauty And The Beast live at the NPR Music offices.

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Episode 2

Mariachi Flor De Toloache

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Jan 8, 2016

While on tour with The Arcs, the powerhouse mariachi band performs live in the NPR Music offices.

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Episode 3

Natalie Merchant

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Jan 12, 2016

The singer-songwriter gives a warmhearted performance of two new songs, an old favorite and a hymn.

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Episode 4

Benny Sings

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Jan 15, 2016

The Dutch singer layers R&B, jazz and pop over hip-hop beats in his first-ever U.S. appearance.

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Episode 5

River Whyless

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Jan 19, 2016

The North Carolina band fills its rootsy music with unexpected instruments and clever ideas.

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Episode 6

Wolf Alice

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Jan 22, 2016

The band's music can be noisy and primal, but at the Tiny Desk it showed a different side.

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Episode 7

The Arcs

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Jan 25, 2016

It's our 500th show at the Tiny Desk, featuring The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and his new band.

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Episode 8

EL VY

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Jan 29, 2016

The National's Matt Berninger and Menomena's Brent Knopf team up in an intimate setting.

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Episode 9

Car Seat Headrest

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Feb 8, 2016

Will Toledo is a wordsmith with a vision, as well as a DIY sound that's still finely crafted.

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Episode 10

Chelsea Wolfe

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Feb 12, 2016

Wolfe takes three songs from the metallic Abyss and makes them howl by their lonesome.

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Episode 11

Ben Folds

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Feb 16, 2016

Performing solo, Folds performs three songs from his new album and two old favorites.

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Episode 12

Wilco

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Feb 23, 2016

Bands don't typically get to play the Tiny Desk more than once, but Wilco is a natural exception.

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Episode 13

Brushy One String

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Feb 27, 2016

The word-of-mouth star's sound is made by one big fat E-string and a rich, powerful voice.

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Episode 14

Lake Street Dive

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Feb 29, 2016

Performed live at the Tiny Desk, the band's songs often tilt toward soul or rock danceably.

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Episode 15

Monsieur Periné

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Mar 4, 2016

The Colombian band channels an unlikely inspiration: 1920s-era, guitar-driven jazz from the U.S.

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Episode 16

Julien Baker

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Mar 7, 2016

The young Tennessee singer performs three of her spare, sad, simple songs at the NPR Music offices.

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Episode 17

Gaelynn Lea

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Mar 11, 2016

Watch the singer and violinist who stood out from 6,000-plus entries in NPR's Tiny Desk Contest.

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Episode 18

Graham Nash

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Mar 14, 2016

In a short set that spans 50 years, the CSNY veteran's voice resonates and cuts to the core.

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Episode 19

Tedeschi Trucks Band

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Mar 25, 2016

Singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks celebrate the blues, jazz and much more.

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Episode 20

Anthony Hamilton

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Mar 28, 2016

Hear the soul star and his band perform "Amen," plus three songs that have defined his career.

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Episode 21

Ane Brun

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Apr 1, 2016

Watch Brun play three new songs, each of which speaks to newfound freedom and fresh opportunities.

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Episode 22

PWR BTTM

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Apr 4, 2016

The duo has a keen sense of mischief and a gift for honest, punk-infused, tongue-in-cheek pop gems.

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Episode 23

Mothers

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Apr 8, 2016

Mothers' members chose a few of their slowest, most languid songs to perform in the NPR offices.

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Episode 24

Palehound

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Apr 11, 2016

Ellen Kempner and her band perform tense and evocative songs amid the silence of a rapt crowd.

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Episode 25

Seratones

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Apr 15, 2016

The Louisiana band takes gospel into the garage, and what comes out is fiery rock 'n' roll.

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Episode 26

Benjamin Clementine

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Apr 18, 2016

There are intimate moments of revelation in Clementine's immersive, breathtaking performance.

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Episode 27

Julia Holter

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Apr 22, 2016

The most minute details become a grandiose spectacle in Holter's cosmic cabaret.

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Episode 28

Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds

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Apr 25, 2016

The band's punchy horn section, bluesy vocals and harmonica solos instantly demand attention.

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Episode 29

Peter Frampton

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Apr 27, 2016

Frampton brought some classic songs to the Tiny Desk. We couldn't help but sing along.

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Episode 30

Florist

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Apr 29, 2016

Emily Sprague performs three delicate songs with help from members of New York's Epoch collective.

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Episode 31

Eighth Blackbird

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May 2, 2016

Watch the sextet perform new music by David Lang, Bryce Dessner and Robert Honstein.

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Episode 32

Monika

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May 6, 2016

When you hear Monika, life feels good: The singer's performances and presence are simply winning.

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Episode 33

Lara St. John

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May 9, 2016

With her intrepid pianist in tow, the violinist performs rowdy tunes that will leave you breathless.

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Episode 34

Daymé Arocena

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May 13, 2016

Arocena's voice combines Aretha Franklin's soul and the sabor of Cuban music queen Celia Cruz.

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Episode 35

Steve Kimock

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May 16, 2016

The veteran jam-rock guitarist's dedication to his instrument is matched only by his imagination.

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Episode 36

Andy Shauf

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May 20, 2016

The Saskatchewan singer-songwriter performs three quietly affecting songs in the NPR Music offices.

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Episode 37

Robert Ellis

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May 23, 2016

Ellis plays thoughtfully stripped-down arrangements from his ambitious country record.

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Episode 38

Carrie Rodriguez

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May 27, 2016

Watch the singer, guitarist and fiddler play three songs that reflect her many cultural influences.

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Episode 39

Andrew Bird

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May 31, 2016

For this performance of three new songs, Bird comes with a stripped-down acoustic band.

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Episode 40

Barry Douglas

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Jun 3, 2016

Watch the award-winning Irish pianist play traditional songs from the homeland.

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Episode 41

Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop

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Jun 6, 2016

Iron & Wine's singer performs three songs with the charming, inventive singer Jesca Hoop.

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Episode 42

Weaves

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Jun 10, 2016

The band's music is playful and quirky — sometimes loud, sometimes gentle and always a trip.

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Episode 43

Chick Corea & Gary Burton

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Jun 13, 2016

The two highly decorated jazz legends could barely fit their instruments behind the Tiny Desk.

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Episode 44

Alessio Bax

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Jun 17, 2016

For Father's Day, watch the pianist play lullabies to his daughter, who nearly steals the show.

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Episode 45

Brandy Clark

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Jun 20, 2016

The country singer-songwriter has a rare gift for making any room feel warmly human.

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Episode 46

Mashrou' Leila

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Jun 24, 2016

A rock band from Beirut performs songs that mix hedonism and hyper-literate lyrics.

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Episode 47

Charles Lloyd & Jason Moran

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Jun 28, 2016

The saxophonist and pianist play three tunes that draw from their past while looking to the future.

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Episode 48

Adia Victoria

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Jun 30, 2016

Performing at the NPR Music offices, Adia Victoria's voice is powerful and direct, with no artifice.

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Episode 49

Los Hacheros

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Jul 5, 2016

Los Hacheros' members tap into the deep groove of Afro-Caribbean music that inspires modern salsa.

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Episode 50

Valley Queen

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Jul 8, 2016

Valley Queen plays with nuance and depth, rooted in a California country sound.

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Episode 51

Jane Bunnett

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Jul 12, 2016

The Canadian jazz multi-instrumentalist performs with some of the top young women musicians in Cuba.

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Episode 52

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band

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Jul 15, 2016

There's a point when a jam is just a jam, but when a jam becomes a journey... man.

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Episode 53

Gregory Porter

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Jul 18, 2016

Porter's music can be serious and heartwarming, but it never loses its sense of wonder and delight.

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Episode 54

John Congleton And The Nighty Nite

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Jul 22, 2016

The decorated producer seizes the spotlight with songs about how extraordinary it is to be ordinary.

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Episode 55

Xenia Rubinos

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Jul 25, 2016

Rubinos uses her Afro-Caribbean roots as a jumping-off point for inventive, provocative songs.

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Episode 56

Lucy Dacus

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Jul 29, 2016

The Virginia musician writes songs that can be thoughtful, playful and powerful.

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Episode 57

Kevin Morby

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Aug 1, 2016

The singer, known for Woods and The Babies, performs carefully crafted songs with powerful lyrics.

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Episode 58

Rachel Barton Pine

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Aug 5, 2016

Watch the genial violinist commune with nearly 300-year-old music for solo violin by J.S. Bach.

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Episode 59

The Jayhawks

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Aug 8, 2016

The beloved band displays its signature country-tinged rock and close harmonies in four new songs.

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Episode 60

René Marie

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Aug 12, 2016

Joined by her Experiment In Truth band, the jazz singer performs songs from Sound Of Red.

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Episode 61

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

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Aug 15, 2016

Watch the invigorating, genre-busting bandleader, drummer, singer and rapper perform four songs.

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Episode 62

Eddie Palmieri

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Aug 19, 2016

An icon for modern and Latin jazz, the veteran performer continues to break tradition and innovate.

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Episode 63

Margaret Glaspy

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Aug 22, 2016

No overplaying, no frills, just great music and an artist who sounds thrilled to be playing it.

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Episode 64

Nina Diaz

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Aug 26, 2016

As a solo artist on leave from Girl In A Coma, the singer finds new ways to sound ferocious.

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Episode 65

Big Thief

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Aug 29, 201610 min

The band's songs exude muscular warmth, with lyrics that are both memorable and meaningful.

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Episode 66

William Bell

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Sep 7, 2016

The 77-year-old blues and soul hitmaker returns to the spotlight with the aid of a 12-piece band.

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Episode 67

The Secret Sisters

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Sep 12, 2016

The Alabama sibling duo's music can be hymn-like: plain but powerful, heartsick and hopeful.

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Episode 68

Saul Williams

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Sep 16, 2016

You can feel the singer and poet's passion in every sharp, thoughtful, powerful, provocative word.

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Episode 69

Corinne Bailey Rae

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Sep 19, 2016

The genre-defying English singer-songwriter performs material from her first album in six years.

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Episode 70

Blue Man Group

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Sep 26, 2016

The world-famous entertainers retrofitted their instruments and confetti cannons to fit the desk.

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Episode 71

Joshua Bell & Jeremy Denk

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Sep 30, 2016

Two A-list classical artists work up a sweat as they revel in the turbulent, tender music of Brahms.

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Episode 72

Common At The White House

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Oct 4, 2016

The veteran rapper fronts an all-star band at the White House.

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Episode 73

Haley Bonar

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Oct 11, 2016

The Minnesota singer-songwriter achieves a nifty balance of intimacy and impeccable polish.

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Episode 74

RDGLDGRN

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Oct 14, 2016

A striking mix of rock, hip-hop, funk, go-go and Brazilian sounds, fused with energy and humor.

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Episode 75

Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

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Oct 17, 2016

The two songwriters celebrate the romance and vitality of the modern railroad.

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Episode 76

Blind Pilot

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Oct 21, 2016

The folk-pop band performs four songs from its shimmery new album, And Then Like Lions.

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Episode 77

Drive-By Truckers

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Oct 24, 2016

The long-running rock band holds a mirror to the hard realities of America right now.

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Episode 78

Joseph

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Oct 28, 2016

The trio strips anthemic songs down to the essentials: just sisterly harmonies and acoustic guitar.

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Episode 79

The Westerlies

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Nov 2, 2016

The self-described "accidental brass quartet" swims comfortably in jazz, classical and pop music.

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Episode 80

Ta-ku & Wafia

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Nov 7, 2016

The two Australians' chemistry is apparent the instant you hear their voices intertwined in song.

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Episode 81

Adam Torres

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Nov 11, 2016

The Austin singer-songwriter showcases his high, lonesome voice and atmospheric storytelling.

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Episode 82

John Paul White

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Nov 14, 2016

Formerly half of The Civil Wars, White returns to perform three songs from his solo debut, Beulah.

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Episode 83

Attacca Quartet

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Nov 18, 2016

The young quartet navigates smoke rings, alligators and the stormy fluctuations of the 18th century.

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Episode 84

Tegan And Sara

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Nov 21, 2016

The Canadian pop duo crafts acoustic versions of pop anthems like "Closer and "Boyfriend."

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Episode 85

Margo Price

10.0
Nov 28, 20161 votes

On the morning after Election Day, Price sang three cathartic country songs loaded with new meaning.

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Episode 86

Pinegrove

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Dec 2, 2016

Watch the New Jersey band squeeze four songs into a scrappy, warmhearted 13-minute set.

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Episode 87

Ro James

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Dec 5, 2016

The R&B singer performs three funky, sexy, stripped-down songs from his debut album, Eldorado.

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Episode 88

Alsarah & The Nubatones

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Dec 9, 2016

In the band's hands, East African music comes alive in a mix of tradition and contemporary sounds.

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Episode 89

Gucci Mane

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Dec 12, 2016

The rapper has spent the year on an extended victory tour. Here are the spoils.

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Episode 90

Derek Gripper

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Dec 16, 2016

The classically trained guitarist performs songs originally written for the kora.

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Episode 91

The Oh Hellos

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Dec 19, 2016

The nine-piece band returns to the Tiny Desk to fill the air with fake snow and real joy.