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NPR Tiny Desk Concerts

Season 2011

2011 · 83 episodes

Episodes

  1. 1. Abigail Washburn

    3 Jan 2011

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

  2. 2. Gyptian

    5 Jan 2011

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

  3. 3. David Wax Museum

    9 Jan 2011

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

  4. 4. Ballake Sissoko And Vincent Segal

    17 Jan 2011

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

  5. 5. Iron And Wine

    21 Jan 2011

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

  6. 6. Basia Bulat

    24 Jan 2011

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

  7. 7. Richard Thompson

    1 Feb 2011

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

  8. 8. Stars

    3 Feb 2011

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

  9. 9. Ivan And Alyosha

    7 Feb 2011

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

  10. 10. Esperanza Spalding

    12 Feb 2011

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

  11. 11. Turtle Island Quartet

    16 Feb 2011

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

  12. 12. Adele

    17 Feb 2011

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

  13. 13. Local Natives

    21 Feb 2011

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

  14. 14. Damien Jurado

    28 Feb 2011

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

  15. 15. Steve Riley And The Mamou Playboys

    7 Mar 2011

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

  16. 16. Lizz Wright

    14 Mar 2011

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

  17. 17. Nellie McKay

    4 Apr 2011

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

  18. 18. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

    6 Apr 2011

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

  19. 19. Josh Ritter

    11 Apr 2011

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

  20. 20. Otis Taylor

    13 Apr 2011

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

  21. 21. Mount Kimbie

    18 Apr 2011

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

  22. 22. Pokey LaFarge

    20 Apr 2011

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

  23. 23. Steve Earle

    25 Apr 2011

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

  24. 24. Wu Man

    27 Apr 2011

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

  25. 25. Booker T. Jones

    2 May 2011

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

  26. 26. Julieta Venegas

    9 May 2011

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

  27. 27. Neil Innes

    11 May 2011

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

  28. 28. Future Islands

    16 May 2011

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

  29. 29. Low

    22 May 2011

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

  30. 30. Jackie Evancho

    23 May 2011

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

  31. 31. The Kopecky Family Band

    6 Jun 2011

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

  32. 32. The Black Angels

    8 Jun 2011

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

  33. 33. Chris Thile And Michael Daves

    13 Jun 2011

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

  34. 34. Charlie Siem

    15 Jun 2011

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

  35. 35. The Decemberists

    20 Jun 2011

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

  36. 36. YACHT

    22 Jun 2011

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

  37. 37. The Civil Wars

    27 Jun 2011

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

  38. 38. Milos

    30 Jun 2011

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

  39. 39. The Blind Boys Of Alabama

    5 Jul 2011

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

  40. 40. Julian Lage Trio

    7 Jul 2011

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

  41. 41. Ben Sollee

    11 Jul 2011

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

  42. 42. Joe Boyd And Robyn Hitchcock

    18 Jul 2011

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

  43. 43. Y La Bamba

    21 Jul 2011

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

  44. 44. Givers

    24 Jul 2011

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

  45. 45. They Might Be Giants

    28 Jul 2011

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

  46. 46. Amanda Shires

    3 Aug 2011

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

  47. 47. Noah And The Whale

    10 Aug 2011

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

  48. 48. Paul Jacobs

    12 Aug 2011

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

  49. 49. Gaby Moreno

    15 Aug 2011

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

  50. 50. Other Lives

    18 Aug 2011

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

  51. 51. James Vincent McMorrow

    25 Aug 2011

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

  52. 52. CALLmeKAT

    29 Aug 2011

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

  53. 53. Phosphorescent

    1 Sept 2011

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

  54. 54. King Creosote And Jon Hopkins

    4 Sept 2011

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

  55. 55. Foster The People

    9 Sept 2011

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

  56. 56. Diego Garcia

    12 Sept 2011

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

  57. 57. Sean Rowe

    16 Sept 2011

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

  58. 58. Jeremy Messersmith

    19 Sept 2011

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

  59. 59. Beirut

    21 Sept 2011

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

  60. 60. Jenny Lin

    26 Sept 2011

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

  61. 61. The Klezmatics

    28 Sept 2011

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

  62. 62. Trombone Shorty

    29 Sept 2011

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

  63. 63. Mates Of State

    5 Oct 2011

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

  64. 64. Fountains Of Wayne

    6 Oct 2011

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

  65. 65. JEFF The Brotherhood

    8 Oct 2011

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

  66. 66. Grouplove

    11 Oct 2011

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

  67. 67. Chris Bathgate

    14 Oct 2011

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

  68. 68. Wilco

    17 Oct 2011

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

  69. 69. Hilary Hahn

    21 Oct 2011

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

  70. 70. Ben Williams And Sound Effect

    24 Oct 2011

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

  71. 71. Lisa Hannigan

    29 Oct 2011

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

  72. 72. Juanes

    3 Nov 2011

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

  73. 73. Jens Lekman

    7 Nov 2011

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

  74. 74. Marketa Irglova

    10 Nov 2011

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

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

    17 Nov 2011

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

  76. 76. Joe Henry

    21 Nov 2011

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

  77. 77. Hospital Ships

    23 Nov 2011

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

  78. 78. Gabriel Kahane

    26 Nov 2011

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

  79. 79. tUnE-yArDs

    1 Dec 2011

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

  80. 80. I Wayne

    12 Dec 2011

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

  81. 81. Gem Club

    16 Dec 2011

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

  82. 82. The Music Tapes

    20 Dec 2011

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

  83. 83. Maria Volonte

    27 Dec 2011

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

NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 2011: quick answers

How many episodes are in NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 2011?

Season 2011 of NPR Tiny Desk Concerts has 83 episodes.

When did NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 2011 come out?

Season 2011 premiered on 3 Jan 2011.

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