The Tiny Desk loves a string section

Strings play a key role in new shows by Sleater-Kinney and Hauschka; plus, a viral show from Tiny Desk Concerts JAPAN and more

View this email online April 18, 2024 by Stephen Thompson Strings play a key role in new shows by Sleater-Kinney and Hauschka; plus, a viral show from Tiny Desk Concerts JAPAN and more NPR NPR Music published a pair of terrific Tiny Desk concerts this week: one by the legendary rock band Sleater-Kinney and one by the inventive pianist Hauschka (a.k.a. Oscar-winning composer Volker Bertelmann). The two performances don’t have much in common — Sleater-Kinney’s music is wiry, intense and often guitar-driven, while Hauschka’s is improvisational, wordless and built around a tricked-out piano — but they do share one key characteristic: Both sets shift gears partway through, as each artist introduces a string section. The addition of strings has become something of a signature Tiny Desk move. One of the two cellists to join Hauschka for “Loved Ones,” Carol Anne Bosco, was making her fourth Tiny Desk appearance — the first three featured alt-J, Meg Myers and The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan — which should give you a sense of how often string players cycle through. For one Tiny Desk concert I produced in early 2020, by the great singer-songwriter Laura Stevenson, we commissioned the string charts ourselves; the resulting performance was so beautiful, Stevenson herself kept marveling at it in between songs. I produced Sleater-Kinney’s show, too, but the band’s people hired the string players and commissioned their own arrangements. Still, singer Corin Tucker described the collaboration as the creative equivalent of a “blind date,” wherein parts were learned on the fly and arrangements were sorted out until the very last minute. And, honestly, that’s one of my favorite things about a talented and well-placed string section at the Tiny Desk. It’s not just that violins, violas and/or cellos make stunningly beautiful music, or that repackaging songs with strings offers a fresh way to hear familiar works, though both those things are certainly true. It’s that the Tiny Desk is supposed to present a high-wire act that forces musicians out of their comfort zone. We ask them to create and adjust on the fly, and introducing new collaborators is one great way to achieve that effect. Over the years, I’ve often joked around with guest string players, lamenting that NPR can’t hire them on retainer, keep them around to do odd jobs and deploy them to jump in and perform at every Tiny Desk concert. (Same goes for choirs like the ones who’ve livened up Tiny Desk concerts by Bono and The Edge, Dermot Kennedy, Sam Smith and others.) Given that our beloved colleague Ashley Pointer recently jumped in to play violin alongside Jeezy, that fantasy isn’t all that far removed from reality. Just something to keep in mind in the event we ever bring back GWAR, you know? Newsletter continues after sponsor message Tiny Desk Contest update We’re getting closer to announcing the winner of our 10th annual Tiny Desk Contest, but in the meantime, you don’t want to miss Top Shelf, in which our hosts discuss some of the best entries we’ve received. This season’s third episode (featuring Robin Hilton and fellow contest judge Nabil Ayers) drops this afternoon, but don’t miss the ones we’ve already released! Episode 1 features Bobby Carter and Robin, while Episode 2 pairs up Bobby and Tiny Desk veteran Durand Bernarr. Introducing NPR Music+, a new way to support what you love and explore new music and conversations sponsor-free. NPR Music+ includes two podcasts with one convenient subscription: All Songs Considered and Alt.Latino, both sponsor-free. Learn more and support us at plus.npr.org/NPRmusic Get NPR Music+ Recent Tiny Desks Hauschka stuffed his piano’s strings with tin foil, a glob of pink putty, cellophane, piano tuner mutes, sleigh bells, gaffers tape and whatever else he could rummage from a large bag of toys he carries with him. Sleater-Kinney’s appearance felt like a family reunion in many ways — Carrie Brownstein is a former NPR Music blogger, after all — but the band’s set was all business. Fujii Kaze kicked off our second international series, Tiny Desk Concerts JAPAN, with a 29-minute set — recorded in a Tokyo office — that’s already gone viral. Yaya Bey performed an emotional, soul-stirring set that reflects her Barbados roots, her life in New York and her deep resilience. Linda May Han Oh is a multi-hyphenate whose career includes work as an in-demand jazz bassist, a versatile composer and a commanding bandleader. Around public radio KEXP KEXP in Seattle brought in Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins.  KCRW in Los Angeles filmed Alt.Latino favorite Gaby Moreno.  WMOT in Nashville captured Sarah Jarosz in fine acoustic fashion. WRTI in Philadelphia recorded drummer Willie Jones III and his trio at the city’s jazz festival.  WNRN in Charlottesville made the trip to Richmond to watch Canadian buzz band Ducks Ltd. at In Your Ear Studios.  Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on Spotify and Apple Music What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to NPR Music emails. 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