Brandi Carlile: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

In the tradition of the best bluesy folk-rock singers who preceded her (think Janis Joplin or Melissa Etheridge, but with less bluster than either), Carlile sings with restrained power and from-the-gut force. Here, she and her band perform three tremendously assured songs from Bear Creek.
Set List:
"Raise Hell"
"That Wasn't Me"
"A Promise To Keep"
For more videos and to subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.

[@cloudsinmykoffie]

NPR, maybe it's time to invite them again.

[@phyllistackett395]

Bring them back on.

[@brucen4719]

PLEASE!!!

[@thezirons]

YES!!!! Maybe a "Tiny Desk: From Home"

[@masatoshishoji8271]

definitely

[@kareninalabama]

It's always time to invite them back.

[@RobertBreckenridge13]

That this woman only got proper recognition in 2019 is almost criminal. She is amazing!

[@DyreStraits]

I've been a fan since '07. First time I saw them live was in Baltimore -- awesome.

[@ajlacatena7296]

What does "proper recognition" mean? People who are fans have known her for a long time. Awards aren't always "proper recognition". Many artists win awards and disappear. Not Brandi

[@robynrodman2677]

I agree. I feel cheated that I didn't know about her until around 2018. I have catching up to do.

[@Jello-Biafra69]

What happened in 2019?

[@capybab508]

@@Jello-Biafra69 she was the most nominated female artist at the grammy awards with 6 nominations, and she won 3! she'd only been nominated once before. she was also one of the performing artists at the awards which generated a lot of hype!

[@5k33k]

Since I couldn't find em anywhere else, here are the performer's names Brandi Carlile - Vocals Phil Hanseroth - Bass Tim Hanseroth - Guitar Jeb Bows - Violin Josh Newman - Cello

[@Alphacentauri819]

Uuummmm, Brandi is playing guitar too!!

[@colleenomara4980]

Thanks for the musician names!

[@stephenub]

If youve ever seen Brandi and her band perform live, you will realize how pulled back they are for this. In person, they put on a rock show man. The twins are bobbing everywhere, Brandi is head banging. Its amazing. If they ever come to town, GO SEE THEM

[@carrie-ah]

Agreed! Saw them live for the first time this year and they were AMAZING!!

[@MrsCrazyrange]

A blasted volcano plume in Iceland stopped them flying to Ireland years ago and they haven’t been scheduled to come back since! Raging 😔

[@Meals-sh9fs]

Fun Fact: I was part of the audience in the sold-out Michigan Theater performance.

[@warrenquilling1633]

I want to go to one of her concerts one day but who knows how long till they are in the twin cities again and especially for a reasonable price I’ve heard her tickets are very expensive

[@ryankincaid8198]

Best concert I've ever seen was a Brandi Carlile show!

[@gageiiiiitttt]

Brandi Carlile videos are the happiest place on KZbin.

[@citracetak2867]

although the song is sad song

[@KariAaraas100]

Miles Peckover agreed

[@marieke6687]

I recently went down in a yodeling Brandi spiral on KZbin and it was the best thing ever

[@josh0g]

I don't know.... Mavis Staples videos are a pretty happy place too.

[@hannahdean3598]

Every song she writes is a damn masterpiece. Same with the ones the twins write. Their brains are gold mines of fucking lyrical magic. It's not even fair!

[@skippy9659]

hannah dean truth.

[@TheTrickyTD]

100 percent!

[@sybo59]

Come now! You get spiritual rocket fuel from their genius at no real cost - it’s far beyond a fair trade, friend.

[@justthinking526]

Anybody else reading Brandi's Broken Horses? I've been KZbin exploring all the artists and songs she mentions. I recommend it, it's been wonderful

[@dotmatrix41]

Currently reading and it brought me here.

[@justthinking526]

@@dotmatrix41 so, you know how Brandi meets Joni Mitchell? No spoilers, but because of this, I watched Wynonna Judd cover I Am A Radio and ...mind blown!

[@mitchellschulz431]

@@justthinking526it’s wild the two of them are now Co-headlining the Hollywood bowl for two nights in October 😭🫶🏻

[@danashane]

Tiny Hat Concert

[@spyderman5413]

danashane I had to unlike it, just to like it again.

[@isurvivedjustjust6338]

danashane style

[@carolineduda5339]

danashane 🤣😂🤣

[@twinkletoes22221]

believe it or not those tiny hats act as little tiny monitors so the singers can hear their individual voices just a tiny bit better 'in the mix'. Old acoustic trick.

[@Anamaria___]

Nancy Nash wow I did not know that

[@sona7444]

how on earth does this tiny little room hold so much soul!? Brandi's heart and soul is enough to make the room just burst.

[@helmedon]

A lot of viewers will really like this......and still not realize how amazing it is, with a full band behind a desk with one microphone creating near perfection as far as ear candy. I've always loved Brandi but just gained a new appreciation for her and her band with this.

[@nkennyish]

Why have I never heard of this group before, this was incredible. I''m questioning the quality of all other music I've heard.

[@jlmundt]

This woman....!! I've loved her since I saw her in a small concert in rural Wisconsin almost ten years ago now. And to see her in LA in the Greek last year... WOW! She deserves ALL the success. Her voice and stories are beyond powerful and have gotten me through so many dark days.

[@eddie_patagonia]

Just saw her at the Newport Folk Festival. Check out the new Highwomen project that she's involved in.

[@Anonyly]

Jessica Mundt I never understood music truly pulling me through dark situations until I discovered Brandi a few months ago during a terrible magnetic separation from a true love.

[@stacytw79]

Jenna Hargett Same. Even if all you do is cry through them, it’s very cathartic. Glad you found her music and that it helped you too. ❤️

[@susanallen6526]

Same! Yes!

[@nuttynotips]

Yep, she absolutely killed the shit out of this. Just discovered her the other day,big fan.

[@noahgracealexander]

She is a wonderful singer. If you ever find yourself at one of her concerts you'll probably be a bigger fan.

[@laurenrader5627]

Her concerts are truly special

[@MooyakAttack]

YOU'RE truly special

[@ChrisSmith88love]

Noah O'Neill Yep, just neater than shit, haha.

[@erichnussbaum]

Same here! :-)

[@Shmacduff]

God. I love Brandi Carlile. She never disappoints - NEVER.

[@davidhoggan5376]

jesus....her voice is perfect in like every way...

[@siobhanekeh783]

I hope NPR has the highwomen on

[@lar8200]

Yesssssss

[@boopityleyna]

I've never been more in love with an artist/band in my 23 years. I watch them like they're my kids.

[@TheTrickyTD]

SAME!!

[@phyllistackett395]

Same here.She does Joni Mitchell's a case of you so beautifully.

[@stacytw79]

P Tackett Yes!!

[@jamesdixon2338]

I honestly can't handle Brandi's music most of the time. I'm a sniveling, teary mess. She just makes me so happy.

[@rabonour]

Never get tired of listening to Brandi and the twins sing harmony. Absolutely beautiful.

[@davidkaminsky4464]

An incredible line up. Jeb with them is almost too much talent on one stage. Josh, the twins. Just a gifted group who has blessed us repeatedly for years. Thank you guys.

[@fukutaichou1903]

It's almost 4am from where i sit in the world, obssessing and binge watching Brandi's videos. But I find myself crying (like I do to some of her songs) to "A Promise to Keep"

[@Alphacentauri819]

How about that Grammy performance? The Joke. Blew me away. Tingles & I cried. I’m not much into awards show performances, but hers was other level. She did it right. No peripheral stuff, just her and her band. Perfection

[@teamgard]

Only small minds could give this a down thumb. Try listening again without visual & FEEL it. Magnificent talent. Thank you, NPR.

[@anotherman08]

Imagine a time when music this good was appreciated and recognized the way it should be.

[@andreajohnson1212]

It is now. ❤❤❤ She blew the world away with "The Joke." I think she'll go on to be remembered as the best songwriter of all time.

[@cloudsinmykoffie]

2019 is the time.

[@pnut4058]

it is not now........... i was born in 1968.middle and high school was LedZeppelin...pink floyd...RUSH(my faves in high school)r.i.p. neil peart.....IT WAS SO APPRECIATED BEFORE THE INTERNET...WHEN WE WAITED TO HEAR OUR SONG AND FOR OUR FAVORITE BANDS WOULD BE IN 0UR TOWN..........................................WHAT IS AND WHAT SHOULD NEVER BE

[@warrenmark5879]

It's 4:15 am, I need to get more sleep but I can't because my ears are just glued to this gem ! Brandi is a beacon of a pureness and directness that keeps music where it should be as a part of my everyday life - a salve for my continued existence. I couldn't live without the kind of joy that this brings....nor imagine a world without this kind of music....bravo Brandi !

[@jamessoroe5605]

Warren Mark I’ve lost many hours of sleep going down the KZbin rabbit hole of Brandis live performances. But gained a lifetime of pure joy and a feeling of understanding few have offered me.

[@skippy9659]

BC KZbin rabbit holes should be a thing..because it’s so easy to get lost for months chasing her all around, discovering gem..after gem..after gem. It’s an addiction...a beautiful one.

[@swartzombies215]

I've loved Brandi Carlile since I was 16. I love love LOVE her! Its always a downer when I don't have anyone to relate to because no one knows her!

[@teahousezenmaster]

Probably not too much of a problem now. :)

[@DennisAnthonis]

What a tight group, and the twins add such wonderful harmony and backup to one of the best vocalists ever in Brandi Carlile. Thank You Tiny Desk.

[@slutinawhorinskaya]

And, they're beautiful.

[@jimWalden-c4m]

Brandi is a beautiful woman of inner strength & character...& talent...

[@bellatheband]

Her voice is so beautiful, and great arrangements!

[@nakitaT]

BEEN in love with Brandi since I heard "The Story" by her playing at the end of the movie "The Last One" and forever will.

[@jamesfennen4683]

What we have today is a great band. How lucky to have found them.

[@ronbellaz]

Oh my, oh my!! That Wasn't Me goes right to the heart with a kick in the gut ... every 12 Stepper I know will find themselves in this song!!

[@ChrisJ-v8w]

You got that right, Ronald! :)

[@Hakajin]

I love Brandi! I'm not much of a country fan, more into indie-folk (just personal preference), but she opened for one of my favorite bands of all time (Darlingside, who also have a Tiny Desk that you should definitely check out) in my town, so of course I went. She was wonderful! I admired how personable she was on stage, too!

[@nuttygirl83]

I don't like country. I don't think Brandi is country. She classifies herself as Americana, which is a broad umbrella, sure, but not exclusively or even primarily country. She has a bit of a country sounds in some of her things, but I love folk and I think she is closer to that in most of her music.

[@dcal6365]

Brandi and the twins exemplify the purpose of music in life.

[@jess503]

Pure perfection from the first note!!! They always play with so much passion, and I feel blessed to hear any song they play. Wonderful storytelling. Beautiful lyrics. Pure and simple.

[@kaylakatz1596]

She's phenomenal and everything beautiful and honest in the music industry.

[@jamesmcgraw4854]

any body that sings with that much passion is awesome you go girl!!!!!

[@pnut4058]

seriously tho I live 2 miles from bear creek studios and just knowing they were so near is ...I cant even describe it...brandi ,you and the boys move me so profoundly.i can only listen to you when the dAy is done.because I weep,and its very personal....so proud to say you r a homegirl.....I love you guys so much...and am responsible for at least 100 of these views......hope to see you when you come home

[@ItsAllPsychology]

The first song sounds like it would play in Wynonna Earp! They are so good, omg

[@audreysizemore8955]

Most underrated video on KZbin, guaranteed.

[@isa-df4nj]

please bring her back to another tiny desk

[@mick5376]

I’m 54 years young, seen the greatest over the years. Why did I not learn of her unique brilliance. Holy sheet!

[@guentherfamilie]

Dammit, yet another incredible talent I've discovered by chance! Curse you youtube!!

[@TaTina1981]

True gem of live music performance!!!

[@1neruby]

The music reminds me of a lot of the folk music from the 60s. Love it.

[@ligialewis2182]

This group rocks . Very tight , disciplined and exciting sound. Brandi has incredible pipes . George Lewis, Sr.

[@theycallmeyaz]

I just love her. I really do.

[@citracetak2867]

but he loves women not man.. :P

[@boopityleyna]

Neuman over on the cello just kickin it during Raise Hell. Love that dude.

[@Candall89]

That was PERFECTION.

[@musicaldramaqueen]

Yyyyyeaaaah!!! It's like an awakening when you discover Brandi Carlile :)

[@JocelynVanSaun]

Invite them back NPR!!!

[@magister126]

Brandi and the twins are out of this world good! Love❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@perrywestfield9371]

all of you.. give me something i can't get anywhere else.. thank you all esp the fiddle man and the guitarists and the cello player and the sanger too..

[@x4ms]

Yes, indeed. Pure gold and and honey in her voice and and universal landscape of our souls.

[@leonwatcher1]

Love to hear Brandi and the boys. Always amazes me that they get such great sound from that room.

[@lifesadancemargaret]

so gifted. All of them. Just amazing.

[@monalisacampuzano1499]

She is so talented and so beautiful. Her wife is incredibly lucky to have her.

[@jackhutchins2709]

Just saw them in Napa. Amazing!!

[@LEvans-vg7sp]

@@jackhutchins2709 Where was she in Napa? Hate I missed that.

[@ktmist]

How has this video only been viewed 1800 times? I'm digging their energy.

[@tove236]

I've loved this woman's music since 2006. That's when I bought her album the story. Since then I've sang along and found both happiness and comfort through her songs.

[@chiquita1235]

Her range is insane.

[@malihalls7129]

Love Brandi...What a voice

[@jillcortes4267]

Tremendous talent , such a tight band , real , pure !

[@gbereterbide6440]

I randomly heard her/them on Pandora. What a great find. Love this music.

[@captainradzinsky]

Brandi Carlile is so great. Thx NPR. 👍🏽

[@voxyladymusic5742]

Amazing talent. Thank you NPR (for many things).

[@halterman666]

What a voice! The band was excellent as well.

[@AnnetteSchneider-bk8yt]

An Angelic voice& a great Person! Love them! 1:00 ❤❤❤❤

[@d.holder2124]

Thank you again NPR. She is amazing and I am a fan!!

[@crstephens2331]

Almost clicked off this video when it popped up. So glad I didn't. My goodness that second song is beautiful.

[@pamelarw58]

Love the Tiny Desk Desk Concerts. Watched this years ago as saw Brandi for first time with Indigo Girls in Sydney Australia & thought then she was an incredible artist! Immense talent with Phil & Tim composing music together. Brandi will be touring with Pink soon.....looking forward to that if they come to Australia! 😍🤩

[@rabismenow]

love me some Brandi.

[@sfincione2000]

She's got a very beautiful voice. Nice songs.

[@hopeherring1567]

Some of that Wailing sounds like Peter Rowan. 👍 and I Love it. You can hear all the influences in her voice when she sings. She is truly a unique singer. Mighty fine well done

[@cherylstiles3716]

You are a force of nature lady. Amazing band too!

[@myoneblackfriend3151]

All these songs are powerful. Well done.

[@deananderson9083]

My wife and I are seeing her tonight here in Austin TX!!!

[@cimtook]

I never get tired of listening to Brandi Carlile.

[@jdmannfla]

It took four albums to get there but this is her living up to her full potential.

[@MoPoppins]

First time I've heard of Brandi Carlile, and I'm moved by her soulfulness. Exceptional and impressive. :)

[@susanmonroe4248]

They are always having such a good time! Love them!

[@milly_bo_billy]

a voice that echos beautifully

[@youngraek]

what an amazing person!!!! she tells great stories with that beautiful voice

[@rabismenow]

love this band!

[@oomybeauty]

Brandi is Best Live! love love love

[@erinolsen5421]

Brandi's talent and the talent of her band stand alone and do not need to be compared. I love Janis and the music of Etheridge. They are all beautiful in their own way and right. Comparison breaks people down.....let's celebrate the beauty of Brandi, Janis, and Melissa separately....after all they produce tunes we LOVE to listen to..... Individually they are all are GREAT and WONDERFUL artists. Together.....they certainly RAISE the bar in the music industry. Attempting to give one of them more credit than the other.....silly... and not necessary. They are all BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@florencecastle6435]

I ordered Bear Creek from her website today. Pretty EXCITED to get it in the mail by next week!!!!! She sings Beautifully Live, Thank You for Sharing this NPRmusic :)

[@mgc4633]

Not many videos like this anymore. The song is great, and the rawness of the video makes you focus on how much you can tell they love this song.

[@em_nm3]

I just want to add on to Brandi Carlile‘s “that wasn’t me”....It’s her story of getting over her drug addiction… I love her sm shes so amazing

[@jhearbear1705]

Nope

[@em_nm3]

@@jhearbear1705 🤙🏼

[@071949]

One complaint about this Tiny Desk Concert: I wish it were longer!

[@songsfromspringcreekave821]

When someone tell you that there just isn't any good music out there any more, direct them here. There is a ton of great music, you just need to stop relying on the radio to find it and go looking for your self.

[@AndrewSavedbyJesus]

Exactly! She's incredible and it's a shame more people don't know about her and the twins. Grateful I found this and her music. It has helped me in my life get through some tough times this summer.

[@meadowdweller9368]

Love, Love, Love Brandi Carlile! Good Job Girl!

[@AmraphelofShinar]

I like her little parlor-sized guitar. I love small-body acoustic guitars.

[@stephaniehurt5631]

Brandi and the twins should do another Tiny Desk Concert!

[@berthut8096]

Just discovered her, what a voice! Can't wait to hear and see her next year in NY!

[@rachmat50]

Great so beautiful songs !!

[@tdtsb695]

So glad you made it big Brandi, you deserve it! $300 or more for a ticket is not financially feasible

[@fjoija1]

Beautiful singer and voice

[@vibemthivi]

Wonderful performance!

[@philwalkntalk4245]

:sigh: No more silly comments about the Go Gos please, that artists name was Belinda Carlisle. Also, that is not R.D. Jr./ Neither are their hats Fedoras. They are a smaller version of hat called a Trilby. Lets get back to what matters here. Our appreciation of Brandi. I too adore her and was instantly captivated by her voice the first moment I heard her. I have been playing and singing music for many decades (guitar, fiddle + others) and was always hoping to find a woman with even just a portion of Brandi's talent, style, timbre and character for me to play and sing with. Alas for me I never did... But, having her to listen to, brings me... great joy. So thank you N.P.R. for hosting this National treasure and helping to bring her into our lives. Thank you Gentlemen of the Band for playing so very well and entertaining us so thoroughly, you ROCK! Lastly, thank you Brandi-darling for voicing things that we can not and for enriching our lives in such a captivating manner. I'm sure everyone joins me in wishing you great health and profound lasting joy. XXOO! Fiddlegrin Phil

[@HRFischerIII]

Glad you put to bed any inkling of humor that was bubbling up in the dark shameful depths of this forum; indeed, it is a forum best-suited purely for adoration and proclamations of musical quality and talent. Humor- ugh! A dastardly practice, no doubt!

[@lovechildp2546]

REAL MUSIC... I love this woman!

[@deanmackinnon3664]

So love her.What amazing voice.