NPR Tiny Desk Concerts: Season 2009
Season 2 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 1.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 2 Progress Shield
Woven Hand
Jan 7, 2009 · 14 min
David Eugene Edwards performs his fiery Americana and covers a rare Bob Dylan song.
Super XX Man
Jan 27, 2009 · 16 min
Hear the singer give an intimate acoustic performance at the desk of NPR Music's Bob Boilen.
Tom Jones
Mar 2, 2009 · 13 min
Hear the legendary singer perform at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.
Horse Feathers
May 8, 2009 · 12 min
See the band perform live at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.
Benjy Ferree
May 29, 2009 · 20 min
Ferree has enough charisma to draw you into his odd world. Watch him perform in the NPR offices.
Great Lake Swimmers
Jun 8, 2009 · 14 min
Singer Tony Dekker performs three songs at the desk of All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen.
Jason Vieaux
Jun 15, 2009 · 17 min
The classical guitarist plays with a clear, lyrical technique in music from the baroque and beyond.
The Avett Brothers
Jun 22, 2009 · 16 min
Hear the harmony-drenched roots-rock band perform a kinetic, frenetic set in the NPR Music offices.
Maria Taylor
Jun 29, 2009 · 13 min
Hear the singer-songwriter's tender, winsome music, performed live in the NPR Music offices.
Julie Doiron
Jul 6, 2009 · 13 min
After a few restarts, the singer played a bare, stark, memorable solo set in the NPR Music offices.
Bill Callahan
Jul 13, 2009 · 16 min
Watch the artist formerly known as Smog play a three-song set that's almost eerily transfixing.
Dave Douglas Brass Ecstasy
Jul 20, 2009 · 18 min
Or, the day a trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba played us a soulful Rufus Wainwright cover.
Sarah Siskind
Jul 27, 2009 · 16 min
In this video shot at the NPR Music offices, Siskind showcases a voice that's both honeyed and raw.
The Swell Season
Aug 10, 2009 · 34 min
Hear Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the movie Once, playing six new songs and an encore.
Dark Meat
Aug 24, 2009 · 13 min
Dark Meat has as many as 20 members. We fit as many as we could behind Bob Boilen's desk.
The Tallest Man On Earth
Sep 14, 2009 · 12 min
The young Swedish folksinger is passionate, gruff, a great guitar picker and a damn good poet.
Telekinesis
Sep 21, 2009 · 12 min
Reduced to a duo for this charming session in the NPR Music offices, Telekinesis is all heart.
Raphael Saadiq
Sep 28, 2009 · 12 min
The Grammy-nominated R&B artist performed three acoustic interpretations of his soul-inspired tunes.
John Vanderslice
Oct 4, 2009 · 14 min
Vanderslice shares acoustic versions of songs from his most recent album, Romanian Names.
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Oct 10, 2009 · 12 min
The duo's new album pays tribute to the pair's heroes, such as Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana.
Ralph Stanley
Oct 19, 2009 · 15 min
See and hear the legendary bluegrass and old-time gospel singer give an a cappella performance.
Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros
Oct 26, 2009 · 15 min
At 10 members, this is the biggest band ever to play a Tiny Desk Concert in the NPR Music offices.
Sondre Lerche
Nov 2, 2009 · 14 min
The Norwegian-born singer-songwriter performs three liltingly sweet songs in the NPR Music offices.
K'naan
Nov 9, 2009 · 14 min
The rapper's set exuded shimmery grace while incorporating the sounds of soul, pop and reggae.
Bowerbirds
Nov 16, 2009 · 13 min
Bowerbirds' handcrafted songs creak and swell like wooden floorboards in an old house.
Zee Avi
Nov 23, 2009 · 13 min
Avi sings three hushed lullabies, including her signature cover of Morrissey's "First of the Gang."
Andrew W.K.
Nov 30, 2009 · 15 min
The fearless party-rocker stands in NPR Music's offices and performs four songs alone at the piano.
Lightning Dust
Dec 7, 2009 · 9 min
Lightning Dust specializes in quiet moments, whether in a shared glance or a finely knit harmony.
Fanfarlo
Dec 16, 2009 · 15 min
The charming London indie-folk band performs a holiday-themed set in the NPR Music offices.
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Dec 21, 2009 · 15 min
Members of the adventurous ensemble play music by Ravel and an original piece, Egyptian-style.