Car Seat Headrest: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

February 8, 2016 by BOB BOILEN
For a singer who's sought privacy in the parking lot of a Target so he could record vocals in the backseat of his car, Will Toledo hasn't been shy about sharing his work. By age 23, he'd already released a dozen albums. Toledo, who records under the name Car Seat Headrest, is prolific but never conventional.
He performed this Tiny Desk Concert mostly solo - with occasional input from his nearby Leesburg, Va., friends and Seattle bandmates - for a set that represents only a tiny sliver of what you'll find on a Car Seat Headrest album. Those records can be filled with rich textures, chaos and harmony, sometimes in the same few minutes. But what you're about to discover here is a wordsmith with a vision, wrapping his faults and frailties in a DIY sound that's still finely crafted.
Teens Of Style is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ca...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Teens-Style-Car...
Set List:
"The Drum"
"Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales"
"Sober To Death"
Credits:
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Walker, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Walker, Niki Walker, Julia Reihs; Photo: Jun Tsuboike/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk Concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti...

[@o.brocklehurst9531]

car seat headrest got me thru a bad time in my life by making it worse

[@vaneeza7867]

o. brocklehurst hey

[@camitoro8127]

same

[@radcat7246]

word brudda nothing like feeling horrible to sober to death

[@doopsnogg7251]

jesus it's too true

[@griffinlamar5179]

Same here

[@traefolla8473]

Who needs a full band when you can just have your friends sit next to you and look emo.

[@DrakesFoodReviews]

Underrated comment

[@cidvicous]

@@DrakesFoodReviews tewtwuowuotwtuwoorrwuwtteqoeteowututerwrr tryqtt ti qtorpupeutqtqrtttu ertuwtpetwiptewetittqtttrtttteiqtteuquuetqtietqqettiiuteytitr uppt ot

[@OkieDokieSmokie]

And a 1/10th scale drumset lol

[@reeddavis6216]

The drummer is the only one that looks like he is there willingly.

[@valle.k.7180]

Just imagin him trying to convince his friends to come saying stuff like "Yeah bro you just gotta sit there for like 15 min tops, pls dude"

[@ropikki1632]

Saw the timestamp and assumed it was one song

[@davidvillamonte2007]

Loool

[@noobita4828]

literally famous prophets is as long as this video

[@bird347]

@@noobita4828 wish it was longer, I love that song

[@stqrsz]

real

[@oddballnerdnuts2]

Stars is the only song I can listen to for 16 minutes

[@vecernicek2]

I think the drummer took the invitation to a Tiny Desk Concert too literally.

[@ambertheprofessional]

Hahahahaha!

[@laptopfuneral]

these drums are actually called.... desk drums... get it

[@micahb2627]

Win!

[@panocasabe8227]

HAHAHAHAHAH

[@cyberbullies5272]

Nah that's just his drumset dawg

[@diend35]

This is the highest quality recording of car seat headrest I've ever heard.

[@rjskeep]

True! It's really the best

[@dreamreader]

Can even count Will's eyelashes.

[@RaCology]

Irony

[@johnseifert6927]

Tiny Desk has some of the best sound engineers out there. Listen to any of the other artists and they're all crystal clear.

[@GenericNameems]

lol those tiny drums being played sound better than the recording also

[@epicbeetrootmaster1235]

Thinking about how at the time of this recording, this was probably the highest quality recording of Sober To Death is hilarious to me.

[@Schislmadisl]

Can't believe that he's only 9 years old! Too crazy! At his age I couldn't even walk, wow!

[@sleepless2621]

Schislmadisl 9 years old... lol you mean 19? (By now I think he's 20

[@SpicyTunaCakes]

Sleepless joke went right over your head

[@nolifeman2019]

ParkeyFinn the joke went over their head and they still got his age wrong

[@nickwebster6619]

I’m concerned that you couldn’t walk until 9.

[@ianw8479]

Funny shit

[@spicytuna62]

Will: (pouring his heart out over his guitar) Andrew: "Hey, Will, if you don't mind, I'm gonna do a _little_ drumming."

[@nicodibari5042]

andrew does a little trolling

[@frankietheghost9385]

@@nicodibari5042 a little rolling down in the deep mayhaps

[@Littlered_880]

Tiny desk tiny drums

[@Intheflesh1]

This was recorded the same day I failed my 8th grade math test.

[@worstpartyever7776]

i hope you're doing great man

[@markjt.1371]

Life could have only gone up by then

[@stvia]

Did you miss it because you decided to watch this instead?

[@evanismakingmusic]

Hopefully things are going better now

[@synara4538]

noice sebastian

[@melissaalexandra9593]

A song called the drum and my guy shows up with this...

[@50l50l50Productions]

Legendary.

[@whitesharkies]

drunk drivers is one of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard

[@Boringpotsnpans]

Allison Redlich true

[@ebbtide4233]

Facts

[@ebbtide4233]

The ending makes me cry everytime

[@arseniy1329]

Allison Redlich I would say Sober to Death contests that spot especially from MTM

[@diegocravero6468]

Claro que sí!

[@theoschommer3530]

The thing that's truly great about Will is he does what he wants to do. He doesn't care how cracky and off his falsetto sounds. He just fills his music with his true emotion.

[@RebelRampant]

I hope he wants to kiss me

[@mikogale]

that's actually his head voice but i agree

[@patriciofernandez2711]

korvaamaton Isn't falsetto the head voice tho? I'd love to know if you want to explain

[@bonniejunk]

@@mikogale at 4:50 isn't that falsetto?

[@Arty.m8907]

@@RebelRampant same

[@audioa41]

"hey I brought some friends... hey guys just sit here while I play... it won't be awkward"

[@stewartpiccolo8338]

hey it's okay, it wasn't awkward

[@PorchCat]

Maybe he just needed emotional support

[@Boringpotsnpans]

ba55letmysoulfly haven’t seen you guys in two years, but wanna come to my tiny desk gig?

[@diovoppio]

The one dude with the drum don't forget him

[@jeffmaehre7150]

He seems to be very deliberately trying to make some point about performance space, what's allowed in it, what are an aren't boundaries between artist and audience, etc. Or, he just really wants his friends on camera.

[@tb6532]

I knew this guy in high school, he bought a fake id that said his name was Mclovin

[@evasamurai1336]

Gold

[@gabrielwest7471]

What was he like

[@Slims222]

Gabriel West r/wooosh

[@novu7597]

Gabriel West He referenced the movie superbad- it was a joke

[@guillaumefunke3649]

He looks like mclovin

[@lilysmith3688]

I personally love Will's voice, the voice cracks add character to his voice. This kind of low-fi music is meant to have imperfections and rough edges. If you don't like that stuff of course you won't like car seat headrest.

[@liamcahill7496]

this comment is enough to make someone molt

[@amirpalamar7133]

Paul Pruett His voice is what perfectly works for Car Seat Headrest though, the music wouldn't be nearly as good with a more conventionally good singer imo.

[@DirtyWorldRecords1]

My voice used to crack a lot when i was growing up (i started singing professionally at the age of 16) and people always complain about it, i had an Ask.fm account and they started to send messages like "stop singing" "you suck at singing" "i will beat you the next time i hear you sing" and shit like that. I didn't care but i tried to stop my voice to crack and all that.

[@rubberboy9381]

I like his voice too. The songs are supposed to be rough and vulnerable. He makes music coming from a small shy and timid person, so those vulnerabilities add a lot to the music/ his voice cracking shows that he is just a vulnerable kid making songs about his feelings. So yeah, it fits his music. I would be bothered if it didn't fit.

[@Sammeeee]

I guess Will kinds reminds me of John Frusciante's heroine days. That's probably why I really like Car Seat Headrest

[@jeffjohns9162]

Driving home from work on empty city streets crying like a baby because of how Will belts out with so much emotion “it doesn’t have to be like thiiii-i-i-sss,” in killer whales. Contemplating how I became the one thing I told myself I never would for the last 8 months. A heroin addict. It really doesn’t have to be like this. And I plan to try and get clean for the 2nd time tomorrow. God help me this time.

[@jorgemachi1711]

Did you make it man?

[@aah4735]

i really hope you’re doing well my dude

[@43sad3efs]

You're gonna make it

[@johntheneighbor4218]

Hope all is well.. You're not alone..

[@benbrooks2173]

Hi Jeff. How are you? You’re not alone. Stay strong. Stay focused. Surround your self with positive things and positive people. One day at a time

[@HSMeans]

How'd they fit that drum set in there?

[@xferal5181]

It's all about rearranging the whole office to fit a full kit

[@mccabeteems4587]

@@xferal5181 yeah they really had to reorganize everything, it probably took a while

[@4thekingdom100]

On a shoes box

[@gabrielbennett9053]

I think using a smaller guitar helped make room

[@anthony5664]

If you look closely, it's not actually a full size kit

[@beanz156]

Be advised guys, Will says "fuck" once.

[@jxomxo]

Actually twice but yeah

[@JensBogena]

Never knew McLovin was such a gifted musician!

[@BB-kz6sd]

His vocals are so gorgeously raw, how could anyone dislike them?

[@Jelly1337]

@yoyofingers ok professor

[@mardybum74]

@yoyofingers AHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAH

[@aStarryBlur]

Honestly a pretty good Yoko ono impression

[@danielinnk83]

I don't dislike them... I'm seriously concerned about his vocal cords' health

[@Billy-rz1jg]

Because many people want to hear perfectly clean notes that don't fluctuate at all unless they're purposely putting vibrato into it. Which is good an all but so are voice cracks and raspiness imo.

[@WestLeeA]

He's trying so hard not to laugh while playing that tiny drumset

[@bird347]

I love Andrew he’s so funny

[@maxfork406]

The part when all of the band is singing Sober to Death is legitimately beautiful and makes me cry gamer tears

[@kohdicraig5179]

Only the most sad kind of tears

[@clowdyglasses]

Gamer tears

[@kpk4803]

He looks like he just came from 4th period Science class

[@henrybloomfield3028]

Or a rivers quomo impersonation contest

[@cicadaseason6890]

man tiny desk has gotta bring will back, i need an unplugged “joe gets kicked out of school”

[@ggreg142]

Will does livestreams sometimes and plays acoustic versions of his songs and some covers too, i don't know if he's played Joe Gets Kicked Out Of School though

[@kayrushton8725]

@@ggreg142 where does he live stream?!

[@ggreg142]

@@kayrushton8725 I'm not sure.. but you can find the full streams on youtube

[@vamburker5950]

@@kayrushton8725 he streams on twitch but hasnt in a while traitincommon

[@cheskaarana6097]

I want to hear Will sings Joe Goes to School from across a small room so bad.

[@halliecohen5910]

couldnt find it in the comments so heres the times: the drum 0:00 drunk drivers 4:35 sober to death 11:06

[@Rishiyisus]

Thaaank you

[@mackthemark9105]

+

[@michaelp.jackson7803]

its in the description.

[@jasper7824]

@@michaelp.jackson7803 not the time stamps

[@SunnyvaleTrailerParkSupervisor]

Thank you, oh kind and talented one

[@j4kez]

I love how theres just a bunch of random dudes chillin on the floor. Super chill

[@jacksonmasco]

can we just appreciate the audio quality from this one single mic...

[@UltraBigGaming]

I haven't seen a single comment talking bad about his voice because the comment section is so full of people talking about how people are talking bad about his voice

[@jerrymalerry8452]

PcPowerUp literally all the comments talking about his voice are praising bru

[@maryevelynaguilera3711]

as it should be

[@crabPEOPLE2000]

I live for voice cracking like this

[@tomsenft7434]

Wonder Bread: It is as I could sing this. Or even you!

[@cedriclucas3294]

But could you write it, produce it, perform it, convey its emotion?

[@mglenwright09]

For all of you folks out there who don't write or play music, I think it's worth mentioning how awesome it feels to belt out like Will does at the end of Killer Whales, especially when it's a melody you've written. It may seem over the top and raw, but frankly, it feels so good to just let it go and belt along with the music, there's really nothing quite like it. There are two general buckets that you can put individual songs into: songs written for others, and songs written for yourself/not for others. Will belting it out like that makes me think that song was definitely more the latter.

[@MichaelTurner856]

I think it's wonderful and raw

[@MistyWarriorCat]

Will Toledo is special to me because he truly writes and conveys what’s coming from the depths of his soul. I’ve never seen any other person put… everything out there like that. It feels like I know much more about Will Toledo than I should and it’s almost uncomfortable listening to him sing at times. It really means something to me, even the parts I can’t understand fully because they’re so specific to him and only him. The way he conveys his pain through art helps me stay strong, I think.

[@jvcthome]

sober to death is one of the best songs ever written

[@jvcthome]

i'm not exaggerating in any way

[@EPeckBaseball]

+jvcthome that ending

[@bobbyguzman2570]

I love that song so much. It's beautiful.

[@theguythatcoment]

+jvcthome I completely feel you man.

[@gronchottica]

+jvcthome I dont get the meaning of the song ):

[@lightzaber1437]

will and andrew always look like the mathlete and the rower assigned together for a group project in the music class they both took for an easy A but soon grow a passion for it and become good friends

[@conallmccauley2166]

I swear this dude will be forever 17

[@AhrkFinTey]

he actually does look a *little* bit older nowadays

[@lilysmith3688]

I'm about to hand Will some chap stick

[@gordon920]

A cup of H2O also, perhaps?

[@briankoch9786]

Haha, fur realz.

[@jaidsalgado]

Brian Koch And I'll bring the minerals!

[@8bitDude0]

looks like he has a bruised lip from too much kissing.

[@drewcarter3070]

Dude every video I've seen his lips look like they're dying

[@wadamiak]

DOES IT UPSET ANYONE ELSE THAT HE IS WEARING A SWEATER IN THE THUMBNAIL BUT NEVER IN THE VIDEO.

[@laramichaels3650]

Yes

[@gretcheno3125]

Now it does.

[@bitbeak]

It was likely destroyed by some weird hippy powers or something

[@bizarrapmusic]

Fuck you.

[@dontcallmelucas]

same thing happened in the Anderson Paak video. WHAT ARE YOU HIDING FROM US NPR

[@silverandexact]

The comments are 1/3 general reflections, 1/3 defending his vocals, and 1/3 *chapstick* .

[@uber-cg8vq]

And also talking about the tiny drumkit

[@reldith]

will's lips are forever crunchy looking, it's gross but that's just how it is and we have to accept it

[@valle.k.7180]

Wondering why theres nobody talking about the emo looking dudes on the floor

[@yviedesautels8051]

@@valle.k.7180oh they’re just like that don’t worry

[@jakewelch.design]

looks like he won those drums at chuck E cheeses

[@everyvillainislemons7583]

Angel Eyes I can confirm this, I won a similar drum set after $500 worth of tokens and ten hours of playing... and playing...

[@500cherry]

they should've given will toledo a tiny guitar to play on

[@odessa745]

Or, and hear me out, a ukelele

[@500cherry]

@@odessa745 im thinking finger sized six string acoustic 🤭

[@jaidsalgado]

Lol ppl complaining about his voice. He plays to his strengths and it is definitely part of his aesthetic. Not a big deal when you have great song writing and instrumentals

[@amirpalamar7133]

jaidsalgado His voice is what fits perfectly with the music imo. I love having these more unconventional singers bc it adds something new to the world of music outside of the basics.

[@jaidsalgado]

Amir Palamar I agree man

[@mndr1983]

His voice compliments the music and lyrics. It's like a well fit puzzle. Just because one can "sing" doesn't actually mean they are artistically gifted

[@goatlife3031]

Spot on Pete Yorn bro!

[@theolschoolblues]

huge deal when our ears have to hear it. its not even fun arty shitty. its just BAD. like really bad. and as for great instrumentals... he had a toy drum play behind him and he just does really basic fingering for his songs....

[@MrHunty]

the fact that this is only 40 seconds longer than Famous Prophet (stars) is so funny

[@FirstLast-el9ew]

"Not even words, just uh uh uh uh uh" that just gets me everytime...

[@claradocherty8410]

i love car seat headrest cuz they can never sound bad live. and if they did, it'd be good

[@kirared1984]

Mood: Will Toledo wailing in what seems like agony at the end of "Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales"

[@xoliloquy]

if I had their voice I would never shut up

[@remindmesometime1855]

You'd be pretty insufferable

[@gfr7270]

McLovin showing us his soul...beautiful

[@kiradayton7445]

Sober to Death doesn't make me cry every time or anything like that...I swear

[@maxjorgy4693]

im so late but sober to death makes me tear up half the time

[@kekw7793]

JUST CUTTING ONIONS ATM, I SWEAR!

[@ropesquid2085]

Will doesn't need to process his vocals and shave all the edges off to idiot-proof it. People need to understand an 'emotional' performance isn't just someone singing loudly about a breakup - self-disgust and angry desperation and hysterical loneliness are all emotions too, and expressing them in a perfect auto-tuned sheen of radio-friendlyiness neuters these feelings. I admire singers like Will, like Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu or Fiona Apple, who sing even if people tell them they can't or shouldn't. Art shouldn't be dismissed if it isn't 'pretty.' We can have both, and we can have everything in-between. Glad Will is still at it, more powerful than ever.

[@knuckless_]

i so agree!!

[@loversandlosers]

thanks, saved me a comment

[@SaltineMe]

It took me a minute to get behind this. It was the first thing I'd seen/heard of their band and tiny desk is a little weird for that sometimes. But it left something in my brain intrigued, and I revisited a few weeks later. That time it got me. Drunk drivers made me openly weep like a grown ass man. Keep making art.

[@arturhours]

I can relate so much to this, as this video was randomly recommended to me recently. God I love it

[@WashedKingJos]

Whoever writes the descriptions deserve an award. Perfectly worded every time and honestly adds a lot of color and appreciation to the performance being able to read something as connected to the music as the performers are.

[@renekitty2]

The author's name is actually always there! This one is written by Bob himself and his are always the best ones

[@shawn4189]

Except for the time they randomly said the lyrics in Weezer's "Across the Sea" haven't "aged terribly well." Talk about pandering. And how rude to the band, who are big enough by now that they didn't have to do the set. Left a bad taste.

[@al3ph35]

@@shawn4189 you beat me to it

[@ThomasBarthoulot]

@@shawn4189 that song is the creepiest thing ever, not saying anything would have been quite weird

[@shawn4189]

@@ThomasBarthoulot I can think of literally hundreds of creepier things off the top of my head. Rapid fire. It's not even in the top million creepiest things ever. People are total drama queens about that album. It's Weezer, for God's sake.

[@HumansFreshlyBorn]

This version of the drum is really nice, without the distortion it makes it more personal and it highlights how well it’s written

[@lewism.henderson9571]

Good performance of Sober to Death.

[@thesleepingbag8650]

Ba Zinga riiiiiiight

[@3jacov3]

Ba Zinga ya, it was awesome

[@SweetVanessa04]

andrew reminds me of the kid on the cover of in the aeroplane over the sea

[@abig_old_swan]

Holy shit, you're right.

[@snazztacular]

Oh my god

[@reldith]

this is an uncanny resemblance

[@coldbrewedjules]

will singing sounds like he's expelling demons. i feel like i can feel his sadness in it and i think it's beautiful to listen to him cleanse himself every time he performs his feelings like that. that's what makes me like his voice. and once i got used to it in that way i started to just want to listen to it intrinsically

[@sethracine4703]

I love his voice. It shows real emotion and I think his lyrics are genius.

[@messalina2817]

This is pure and raw talent I'm impressed

[@valty3727]

fun fact: will structured this performance to hint towards the next 3 albums he'd be making: teens of style, teens of denial, twin fantasy

[@jmilesweb97]

damn, son! hell of a writer.

[@calebhylkema2862]

The rawness of his voice is brutally honest

[@elliecherryhomes4979]

"Here's that voice in your head Giving you shit again But you know he loves you And he doesn't mean to cause you pain Please listen to him It's not too late Turn off the engine Get out of the car And start to walk" I'm glad I stumbled upon this artist. His lyrics/voice/style is honest and real.

[@jcrio9014]

Will, you're the messiah the indie rock community has been waiting for the last 15 years. Thank you for your work, your songs and your inspiration.

[@DoctorNo124]

He's a great songwriter - that's why he's here. If Bob Dylan was judged solely based on the merits of his singing voice, he probably would never have even gotten a record deal, let alone sell millions of records.

[@starengineboy]

not true

[@starengineboy]

bobs first album was mainly covers

[@Youcantleavethisempty01]

+DoctorNo124 Bob Dylan has nothing to do with anyone else but Bob Dylan. Dummie.

[@DannyJamesGuitar]

I like his voice ... It's nice to hear something different and unique. He sings with feeling.

[@Darkstarczar]

word bob dylan is a perfect comparison on that front BTW id rather hear this kind of singing rather then perfect pitch ,perfect pitch is annoying weird huh?i guess cuz im FAR from perfect so its more authentic

[@FirstThief]

The drummer with the tiny drum set understood the assignment

[@ieatedpaper]

live for andrew katz

[@kayeffty]

this is such a great concert. all three songs are performed beautifully. sober to death especially, the way everyone joins in. makes me cry like a little baby.

[@annakaevjen4578]

I love ur pfp

[@kayeffty]

@@annakaevjen4578 thank u

[@cinemarxism]

Don't mind me just back here for my daily listen

[@borjonx]

tru dat

[@d1nkt3rn3t]

remember your daily listen for today

[@Killerjay117]

If anyone wants to know how he plays the drum here. Here are the chords. Verse: E5,D#5,B5,E5,D#5,A5 chorus: E major, B5 bridge: B5,A5. Outro: E major, B5, E major, A5.Figure the order how he does it yourself! Anyway enjoy!

[@1needBycRidezzz]

Why is Will wearing a sweater in the thumbnail, but in the video: NO SIGNS OF SWEATER

[@evildaughter4]

OH MY GOD

[@morescofamily385]

Release the sweater cut

[@corrinrausch5623]

Love a guy who shows up to a tiny desk concert in a Nike hoodie. Ain't tryin' to impress anybody.

[@timbernard8266]

theres def a lack of humidity in that library, literally every artist has chap lips on these videos

[@x6255]

0:00 - The Drum 4:36 - Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales 11:06 - Sober To Death

[@chloebrewer187]

x d

[@IcookedRs]

x e

[@TheKillmenowbitch]

This shit was good. His vocals is very unique in a good raspy way.

[@toasternessstudios5238]

I adore his voice. His incredible wit, eccentric writing, and memorable melodies make up for it and I think it adds to his distinct lofi charm.

[@dreamreader]

Damn I eagerly want to hear the unplugged version of Something Soon

[@Brannington]

saaaame

[@fi9263]

I find it so funny that there is a separate camera angle during the first song specifically panning down to Andrew’s tiny drum set

[@jmorey7896]

Writing from the perspective of someone who's heard both Mirror to Mirror and Face to Face, hearing this rendition of Sober to Death is a beautiful mixture of the 2 concepts. He hasn't yet revisited the album completely, but he's still looking back on the experience in a different way than he did in 2011. Also, getting to see him play guitar while he's singing is pretty rare in the Naked Giants era, so this was fun to stumble onto. I love Will's writing, his vocals, and his performance, and I look forward to many more releases from them.

[@dallasjune583]

will is my transition goals

[@riddnny]

FOR REAL

[@bailbondsyesbailbonds]

Which way?

[@christiansanders1]

Closing my eyes and listening to the part where Will's bandmates join in on the outro to Sober to Death makes me feel the same way that being around a fire at summer camp used to.

[@MichelJPW]

Can’t believe Will Toledo was only 4 years old here

[@nem6952]

His voice has evolved so much since this performance, it's insane.

[@juandelossantos6376]

I've watched this like 20 times and that "Dont worry, you & me don't be alone no more" part always makes my heart crumble. I love it.

[@evanitocancel7729]

I love how you can see how he’s trying hold his shit together playing such a small drum set.

[@darkwaterblue]

Someone get Will a Chapstick! That first song is catchy as hell, great stuff.

[@helenlizzystewart4908]

I think they need a smaller drum kit

[@emyemyemyyyy]

Elsa I felt it was a little overpowering. Should just use thimbles, in my expert opinion.

[@brianholt5291]

#smalldrumsmatter

[@zillmopig]

Yeah, the one they used was way too flashy.

[@dirt3855]

@@zillmopig took up way too much space imo kinda misses the point of the show

[@-mirsken-]

A lot of people would say his voice is bad, but if you actually listen to his songs, u understand that the realness in his voice makes the songs good. It’s real, it reflects what he often sings about. Personally it makes me feel less alone. That’s all

[@BJLopez-gc9fg]

I think this guy has the crunchiest voice ive ever heard and that's a good thing

[@valleyvalleyvalley]

his voice is so incredibly perfectly imperfect

[@JoshHinrichs-vv2ft]

Sufjan Stevens tiny desk concert pls

[@fernandouribe595]

yeeees

[@jennyb2873]

pls

[@fernandouribe595]

Jajajaja ! Jenny B​

[@PatheticallyAwesomeJ]

all of impossible soul live pls

[@gingerAV]

His wings and various mirror balls won't fit behind the desk.

[@ninazigic9928]

everyone whos hating on wills voice shoild still check out their recorded stuff, his voice doesnt crack like that nearly as much. personally however i like it a lot, so much raw emotion.

[@oscar278]

Dude. I haven't even seen a single comment critiquing his voice, but I've seen like 6 or 7 comments exactly like yours.

[@notsoclain]

@@oscar278 LITERALLY

[@fishencasedinjelly3950]

@@oscar278 so true, i think it might be because im 7 years late tho im not sure

[@llori-anne]

andrew playing the drums with the tiniest sticks ever is so funny to me, but it sounds so good haha

[@toe._.truckk]

The Drum is such an underrated performance on this TDC

[@jkelly3319]

Caleb Crutchfield its so much better than the album version

[@c4s0uls56]

@@jkelly3319 i personally like the drum from mbikmb better

[@jkelly3319]

@@c4s0uls56 yeah that’s a good version too!

[@c4s0uls56]

@@jkelly3319 my favorite song from Car Seat's entire discog is father, flesh in rags. second is the ballad of the costa concordia

[@jkelly3319]

@@c4s0uls56 i don’t think I could pick a favourite really. FP, BoCC, cosmic hero, the drum, HSC probably top 5 but I feel like that list changes all the time

[@fruitsalad9158]

as a straight man who is very alone when it comes to will toledo being his favorite artist ever, he is so so so hot and has gotten me through so much

[@tom-ht3ju]

he jus a normal lukin homie to me, bro

[@dinglemccringleberry6258]

he is not hot ahahaha tf

[@wddrshns]

he's hot but like, in a sad nerdy white boy way

[@karsyncocanower5653]

@@wddrshns he’s attractive in a pathetic and i kinda feel bad for him way

[@joannehbu]

I love him. I'm in love with him. I really l am. He is such a dream holy fuck. I could drown in his voice and watch him strum his guitar all day. I. LOVE. HIM.

[@yeeyee5158]

bro thats crazy

[@joannehbu]

@@yeeyee5158 and what about it 🤣

[@MistyWarriorCat]

i am soulbonded to will toledo’s suffering. i’m obsessed with the fact that he’s still alive. he is a husk of a human being

[@Emmy-beep-boop]

I distinctly remember the parking spot I was in the first time I heard CSH. My college boyfriend insisted I watch this Tiny Desk in the car, and I was annoyed that he was shoving his phone in my face. My annoyance turned to intrigue as soon as I listened to the raw, passionate vocals and lyrics. It wasn’t until my summer internship in DC that I became a superfan. I was lucky enough to see them play at Black Cat that very summer - a much smaller venue as it was 2016! What an insanely beautiful encore, and I got to meet Will after the show. After that, I learned their entire discography by heart. Now 8 years later they are still my #1 favorite band. CSH and I have come a long way over the years. Thank you NPR (and my ex-boyfriend, I suppose) for introducing me to my favorite musical artist!

[@MistyWarriorCat]

That really means a lot to hear, somehow.. I’m glad you got to see and meet Will Toledo, especially given everything his music must mean to you. You must have been a similar age to him, too.. I’m 10 years younger than him, and it feels eerily like I’m tracing his ghost’s footsteps every day. Like a one-way communication through time.. He’s an incredibly special human being to me and I wish I could meet him, or at least speak to him and let him know there are others, scattered across time and space, whose hearts beat the same as his. I hold others’ feelings with a lot of importance, so thank you for sharing a bit of your humanity here. Somehow, it feels a little less lonely.

[@ValenSimpson]

I listen to this impatiently, merely waiting for it to be over so I can play it again

[@RobotPilots]

I have never seen Car Seat Headrests in real life before this, and they looked exactly like I expected them to.

[@calvinbeck5020]

Only the tiny desk sound guy could make that mini drum set sound good! Great playing of course too!!

[@maxcl5346]

if anyone is wondering the guitar will is playing is an Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-45ME

[@loganmohler737]

I don't cry a lot, but this guy and all his bands and projects find some sort of way to bring a tear to my eye. I think it is the honesty and the quality of his "stripped down" vibe. F you if you don't cry. Big girls do cry

[@tobyclarkthomson8443]

This version of sober to death is incredible

[@_D4ZZ4_]

this band makes me feel emotions i didn't know i had

[@lopey5035]

You can literally feel the soul and heart of this music.