Bellows: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Bellows' debut album, Blue Breath, was among my Top 20 records of last year. What sets Bellows apart from thousands of other guitar-bass-drums bands out there is its heart. Oliver Kalb sings about things that matter to him in ways that matter to me. His sing-song, matter-of-fact phrasing and guitar melodies are memorable, and the harmonies are lovely, with the staying power to drift in my head for days on end.
I first heard Bellows when I went to see another Brooklyn band, Eskimeaux; the two share many members in live performance, and both belong to an artist collective known as The Epoch. It's a thrill to share these enchanting songs with a wider audience.-- BOB BOILEN
Set List
"Sacred Heart" 0:00
"Hello Morning" 3:25
"White Sheet" 6:19
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Maggie Starbard; Audio Engineer: Brian Jarboe; Videographers: Nick Michael, Maggie Starbard; Assistant Producer: Morgan McCloy; photo Morgan McCloy/NPR

[@dr.aconian3208]

Still my favorite thing found from Tiny Desk. This led to O' and Told Slant and Florist and everything.

[@5k33k]

Since it isn't already listed in the video, the names of the performers are: Oliver Kalb - Vocals/Guitar Felix Walworth - Drums Henry Crawford - Bass Gabrielle Smith - Keys

[@friendship6668]

I am totally digging The Epoch artist collective!

[@fbutzke345]

bring told slant to npr!!

[@asias3000]

Fernanda B Yes!

[@missyalvarez5793]

I really like the mini Korg synth! It adds a nice distinct sound, yet blends into the background.

[@garyives1218]

Sweet. Just ordered this album and "Fist and Palm"........and some Told Slant, and Eskimeaux .......yeah, been loving The Epoch collaborations a lot!

[@gaell123]

NPR music tiny desk concert you makes my days better thank you

[@chc6644]

This is so wonderful. Love this band

[@danielmclaughlin4778]

Wow they got to NPR that’s amazing

[@sharonlee5139]

Legitimately great band. Like that "at once" instantaneous feeling you listen to the middle of the track and think "this is the new indie that reminds me of all the collective indie in the past I used to listen to" Key term or "secret" : true feels. True heart

[@crystalburnham9757]

Am I watching Portlandia?

[@MonkeyOnTheContrary]

I love this!

[@localfox1000]

i loved this

[@jordies7221]

Unique sound

[@caitlinlivesonclouds]

probably the cutest group of people ive ever seen. im getting Tigers Jaw/Bleachers vibes from them and im loving it

[@RolandStrykala]

good music, keep on, bellows

[@hungdinh5397]

Yes yes yes

[@nova1343]

Just saw them in shea stadium,brooklyn, at their new album release party. Great band. I can only recommend listening to them.

[@bennett3449]

Told Slant

[@robertbullard4741]

very enjoyable

[@sptfgpn]

love the way the bassist looks at the lead singer. It's so cute.

[@pointlessriffofficial2443]

Super good.

[@klakaboomeloli]

y'all should have San Cisco come on here!

[@CarlChipman]

Good music. Very compelling. Listened multiple times.

[@Xycopixie]

They remind me of all my friends in high school. Great music!

[@teanatoast]

haunting presence

[@MrArtenow]

Me gusta como juegan !!!

[@hungdinh5397]

Very good

[@hungdinh5397]

Good music

[@popcornisfromcorn]

its interesting Boilen describes this band has being different than other guitar bands because of their heart... IMO they function well/sound good not because of their heart, which I usually associate with being emotive and passionate, but because they are a new manifestation of cool and nonchalant.

[@brrrrr256]

I'm Rory B. Bellows, and I wholeheartedly endorse this product or service.

[@chadschneider2605]

Absolutely wonderful, played the space perfectly, keep those epoch vibes coming, I'd love to see two or three tracks from Small Wonder. Wendy was my aoty last year and could also definitely use the exposure.

[@bezzarguy]

I would love to hear your opinion of a band that actually had talent.chad schneider

[@chadschneider2605]

I like Led Zeppelin's album II more than IV. I thought Big Willie Style was a really fun album when I was 13. I saw Glass Animals at the Fillmore a couple weeks ago and thought that they had a very solid live set. I think Deafheaven's Sunbather was the first heavy album I've been excited about in years. I've been listening to the new Bahamas album, the old freelance whales, a lot of boards of canada, fakebook by yo La tengo, and my friend bran crown. I'd recommend any of it.

[@derekhand6480]

Guy B. You keep using that word... I do not think it means what you think it means

[@bezzarguy]

Derek Hand Let me put it words you may understand,,,, this is shit,,,, this band is untalented shit. the song is shit,,,your taste in music is shit,,,,

[@derekhand6480]

Mr. G. Wah wah wah wah wah, I can't make a thoughtful argument and it took me 6 months to even come up with enough brainpower to just insult you wah wah wah.

[@asias3000]

good shit!!!

[@thomaskittock2866]

This has messed with my head so much, I don't even know... Incredibly bizarre experience.

[@puridewayani612]

A bit different from eskimeaux but still a bliss for ears💞

[@thestoryofjyo]

Say whatever you guys in the comments want to say, the first song is beautiful and enchantingly melancholic. Loved it.

[@DemolitionCinema]

Holy crap....

[@Lateralus1357]

Reminds me of a less acoustic Carissa's Wierd. Which is a high compliment as far as I'm concerned

[@freesolja1]

makes me wish I had gotten around to getting a microKorg

[@matiascastillo4383]

Eskimeaux♥

[@FluffersTheFirst]

Recognize that drummer from Toad Slant and Elvis Depressedly, saw them at the Middle East in Cambridge last year.

[@amyweider8176]

ok this drummer is now the drummer for eskimeaux god bless

[@UncleLub]

If Tumblr was a band, it'd be Bellows.

[@Mooseplatoon]

+UncleLub False. This band requires at least 80% more cats, junk food, and butts to be from Tumblr.

[@matthew.maduli]

+TheGuyThatDoesTheThing haha yeah

[@Ecotechnologist]

Exactly what I was just thinking. I just keep going through videos of this group of people and getting more *triggered*

[@joshuajamessandells6263]

I swear thats the same drummer from Florist

[@massimilianodimartino9006]

it is

[@joshuajamessandells6263]

Yeah true, it's Felix Walworth right?

[@massimilianodimartino9006]

Yes

[@tiniestmom8033]

also singer in told slant (:

[@garyives1218]

I get Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" vibes from the opening

[@cuezaireekaa]

i wish i looked like oliver, and was married to gabby, and played drums like felix, and laughed before every song introduction like henry. goddamn i love small wonder. sincere thankyas bellows.

[@bunannie]

cue zaireekaa I saw them live and Henry would tell a super dumb joke before every song!! He's so cute haha

[@cuezaireekaa]

Annabelle Cooper haha, that's so great. Im still waiting to see them live, but I'm patient. :j

[@marmalademp4]

i saw them on tour w pwr bttm last week, they were amazing

[@toughsoft321]

Very cool but thought it was a skit from Portlandia at first. :)

[@amelucci7713]

is the bassist from small wonder?

[@NManna325]

Antonia Melucci yes! Henry crawford

[@VinceDSkates]

+Nicholas Manna my mans

[@imazombie27]

Anyone know what model korg that is?

[@hungdinh5397]

That a gôd iced

[@donkeykong6250]

Told Slant and Small Wonder gogogogo

[@pestoman]

Im sorry but FRIIIIIINGE :D

[@THEGlassIED]

Is Tiny Desk exclusively for hipsters?

[@nylonsteel]

THEGlassIED No sweater no access. Washboard and triangle optional

[@bezzarguy]

Long beards have replaced the skinny jeans and pork pie hats. The double decaf lattes and fixed gear bicycles remain.THEGlassIED and yes, TDC caters to hipsters.

[@CaravelClerihew]

THEGlassIED Only the ones you seem to watch.

[@bezzarguy]

TheSpoonyBard Cute answer, but you know it's true, TDC is lousy with hipster bands with \little or no talent.

[@CaravelClerihew]

Guy B. I always find it funny when people tell me that "I know it's true" because it's generally a judgement statement on something subjective. Still, a quick glance on the right to KZbin's recommended TDC videos reveal about half of them being too old for hipster behavior, one third being bands I'm familiar with and like, and a single band with stupid hats, but it turns out they're from Ukraine so who knows what's up with that.

[@acid-mask]

kinda has a beat happening vibe

[@ramzyred]

Freelance Whales???????

[@keiths4491]

This get deleted or something? It won't play.

[@NewLeaf419]

is this some weird Portlandia skit?

[@TheLeschhorn]

i think its the weird mexican individual with the hair

[@dksouthpawatx]

look at that southpaw playing upside down bass. Alright!

[@Ecotechnologist]

He's literally only doing that just so people like you notice him and leave comments like this

[@elisidman4598]

You're wrong. Henry is left handed and taught himself to play the guitar when he was like, 14. He never took lessons, so it was easier and more convenient to just teach himself to pick up a guitar and flip it over.

[@martinet1985]

hmmmm... interesting...

[@Mooseplatoon]

Does anyone actually think the term hipster even means something at this rate? I mean, the hipster sub-culture is the most mainstream thing out there right now, which is the most counter-intuitive trend since Punks were absorbed into pop-culture. Turning up your noses whenever something is too "hipster" for you just adds to the swirling black hole of hypocrisy that the whole situation has given birth to.

[@user-jm8bw9jb5e]

이게 저평가지

[@MhadPheeGFYS]

I'm not gay but i want to hug the drummer :)

[@MhadPheeGFYS]

And the keyboard player ;)

[@MhadPheeGFYS]

Fuck it hugs for everyone :)\

[@lamphead003]

You didn't have to defend your sexuality. Hugs are pretty normal for gays and straights alike lol

[@MhadPheeGFYS]

lamphead003 You said it three times so it must be true :)

[@lamphead003]

MhadPhee i sent that on mobile and it kept telling me error! D: haha!

[@valgorath]

How is this popular

[@dylanbusarello1669]

I feel bad for the bassist... he's so confused

[@florascent9ts]

bless his heart oliver isn't as keen at songwriting

[@pumathurman]

I s t hIS A por T l aanndia skiTt???????? L MA AO

[@madmo453]

I couldn't get past 30 seconds of this.

[@Mark-dq5qf]

I went from a Bernie supporter to a hardcore Trump supporting conservative within the first minute of this performance. Holy hipster fuck, Batman!

[@grody_highroller]

Is this a parody of itself? I can't tell. They are literally a stereotype in both looks and music. I knew what this was gonna sound like before clicking the thumb nail. BASIC ASS SHIT

[@UpperCrustthe3rd]

+FilthCity I can smell this video.

[@Mooseplatoon]

+James Blucher I've always wondered why minimalism is praised when people from the Garage Rock revival and similar trends make music, but when people who aren't quite rock and roll enough do they are labeled as pretentious and trying too hard. I mean, I like Jack White as much as the next person but that man is the biggest hipster to escape being labeled thus by the angst brigade.

[@ifoundbrian]

they are trying way too hard to be cool

[@chrisgardnerisinme]

Or maybe they aren't trying at all

[@scootcha]

There's always people like you in the comments that are so full of hatred. Stop projecting your insecurities and enjoy the music.

[@ifoundbrian]

stumpz Yeah, people who have different opinions than me are always so full of hatred...

[@scootcha]

Brian B Were you dropped on your head as a child? You're trying to state an objective fact, not an opinion. Stand by your statement rather than cowering away.

[@barbietripping]

Brian B And they are succeeding.

[@sergiosanchez5439]

Chill out hipstergang

[@hasanhejazi4831]

That girls bangs are far too short ._.

[@godbackwards]

this is better if you can't see those hair styles

[@shanebonanno5961]

The bass is balanced so badly. Also the amount of bad greasy hair in this band hurts me.

[@bezzarguy]

What is this? They are so bad it's comical. There's 1,000s of garage bands better than them. They're so bad people won't even pirate this crap.

[@bezzarguy]

***** You sound 15, but age doesn't matter when "music" sucks this bad. I find it offensive when there's so many good indy artists out there who can't get a break, and shit like this is put on NPR.

[@JessicaMayuga]

+Mr. G. Take a nap

[@bezzarguy]

Michael Perlas .Talk about being a kid, until your musical taste matures, enjoy this dreck. It's made for people just like you.

[@moroz9708]

Mr. G. wowee. whatever helps you sleep at night little johnny

[@bezzarguy]

Michael Perlas It's OK Mike,hang in there, things will get better.

[@someguywithnoplan6395]

I can smell the room through my computer screen

[@ramzyred]

Freelance Whales???????

[@dorianvale854]

except like, less boring

[@ramzyred]

Really?