Carrtoons: Tiny Desk Concert

Bobby Carter | February 12, 2024
In the spirit of Kenny Beats, Zaytoven, and Nile Rodgers, Ben Carr, aka Carrtoons keeps the producer-led Tiny Desk tradition alive. Another tradition developed over the years is the first look each artist gets at the Desk when they first walk into the space. In some cases, it feels like a star meeting another star. But here, it's a musician who's made a name for himself composing for others, emerging as an artist in his own right. He walked straight to the Desk in attack mode.
I first heard of Carrtoons while I was locked in the house during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was scrolling on Instagram and found him playing his bass guitar to looped and chopped samples he cooked up. The Carrtoons rabbit hole led me to other producers who created similarly on social media. A few of my favorites including Kiefer, who plays keys for this set, got together for a special Tiny Desk (home) concert in 2021. The family vibes were in abundance for this performance. Carr's father Richard plays in the string section, and the vocal power trio of Haile Supreme, Joanna Teters and Julia Zivic are frequent collaborators. Carr graciously lent his spotlight to play highlights from his albums Saturday Night and Homegrown.
SET LIST
"Sparkle"
"Give It Up"
"Spaceships"
"Dial It Back"
"Be There For You"
MUSICIANS
Carrtoons: electric bass, vocals
Joanna Teters: vocals
Julia Zivic: vocals
Haile Supreme: vocals
Kiefer: keys
Diego Ramirez: drums
Nate Smith: drums
Richard Carr: violin
Sasha Ono: cello
Shaan Ramaprasad: violin, string arranger
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel
Audio Engineer: Valentina Rodriguez-Sanchez
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Estefania Mitre
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#tinydesk #nprmusic #carrtoons

[@clydekaila25]

Randomly clicked on and was like..”Wow..that Soccer Dad is cool with that bass..” and then I was like “Is that Kiefer!?”..then those two started singing and the violins and the beat and I blacked out and came to after and I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re driving. 💁🏾‍♂️

[@nmartin802]

Soccer dad 🤣

[@eveythingthatsadam]

Kiefer??

[@darr60ell]

@@eveythingthatsadamthe pianist who has his own albums on streaming sites

[@LucasBohne-zq1ov]

That's why i love Soul music. So deep!

[@TonyWilson615]

I just saw them both with Nate Smith here in NYC. It was a fantastic show!

[@ymb6987]

Come through Carrtoons! The Vocalists are 🔥🔥🔥

[@genosiegelli5237]

I … I just can’t fathom it … Every time I flip on Tiny Desk, it seems, there’s another group of magical musicians. Carrtoons … I had no idea … and I ❤it!

[@SlimdogProductions]

Discovered them listening to lofi music and they are on a couple of top playlists I listen to on Spotify.

[@EnglishCarmouche]

40 years old and I’m still watching Carrtoons 😂 only this time I’m sipping coffee ☕️ 😊

[@Broncksea]

Wild that Kiefer is just here for this. Amazing.

[@isaachanson9347]

Feeling the same! So sick

[@brandibrumfield9121]

This is one of the best tiny desk concerts ever

[@soufienkhalfaoui7593]

Absolutely. Hands down.

[@thatomohlala9148]

Hands down

[@kagisolukhele2043]

Without a doubt ❤

[@jfkspillow9527]

😐

[@whiteyfisk9769]

It really is nice seeing them let a band of downs syndrome people on Tiny Desk

[@TheRealLFC_Dan]

Kiefer needs his own Tiny Desk, but Carrtoons is an entire vibe. Such soulful vibes

[@mostblunted_211]

All the vocalist honestly

[@angelwilliams38]

This soulful white man and his bass has me in TEARS!!! Bravo to all the amazing musicians in this performance….in my opinion, one of the most fluid, brilliantly executed Tiny Desks EVER🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@J4ZZC4T]

Kiefer on keys, absolutely killing.

[@stuartweissman7306]

love the groove, pianist's chording, vibe, etc. but as an older musician who played in (gulp) bars and restaurants with his two sons as they grew up, seeing a father 'n son in a hip ensemble just warms my heart.

[@toasterwafflez2]

First heard him when he opened for Mac Ayres. How spoiled was I? Incredible stuff

[@Abovethecloudsatwo7]

They need to give Mac ayres a real tiny desk performance, that man is phenomenal live , his whole energy 😭❤

[@J4ZZC4T]

@@Abovethecloudsatwo7 I second that!!!

[@knowheretobe_6396]

Love that his dad is there

[@olivergingrich6839]

I love tiny desk because there's 0 chance I'd ever have heard of Carrtoons otherwise. And also that guy's dad seems really cool. Smooth...

[@1nite1989]

Tried to keep Carrtoons to myself since i heard "Give it up" in 2021 but I guess the secret is out....Thank you Tiny Desk for showing this greatness.

[@hrtbrk1127]

You don’t get to hoard good music. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@jpjpJPJPG]

When you find good music send it to someone you think will appreciate it

[@seattlemylove]

Geez. killer vocals

[@kennylenny9890]

Don’t judge a book by its cover! 📕 I enjoyed every minute of this video. Everyone in here is extremely talented and has so much soul.

[@thaniyatheungsang851]

Had no idea what to expect, but whatever that was, the actual performance blew it out of this world. So soulful, transcendental.

[@MeSoUnicorny]

TikTok brought me here… that vocalist in the back has the tones of a grandmother who has been through! I love it!

[@troymckoy1721]

Me too Fonky 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@danhicks7891]

Kiefer and Nate Smith & soccer dad in the rhythm section is second to none 🐐🐐🐐

[@SoAMAZINmusic]

This is not the sound I was expecting when I saw the thumbnail lol. I wasn’t familiar but I am now!!

[@erflingnot]

Love the Internet, wonderful things delivered right to our ears. :-) and life is like a box of chocolates.

[@yomoseo]

Lol exactly

[@waltermiller215]

I absolutely like this multi talented artist Carrtoons and His Band, who I first discovered on Instagram. I can’t wait to see this group perform on their tour this year in Philly!

[@yashicamoore4569]

Okay Tiny Desk! 👏🏽👏🏽 Thanks for putting on great content and for giving me new groups to follow! This is hot! 🔥🔥🔥

[@boitshepoditshego8380]

Guuuuuurl :) we just met The Carrtoons and the beautiful band.. So happy to hear more from them!

[@johnwilliams5133]

Throwing my hands up!!! Real Music 🔥

[@sallysson]

Carrtoons! Not sure of the proper words to describe my joy in finding this. Tiny Desk is my 'Go To' when trying to satisfy my itch for a listening pleasure.

[@100rando7]

The female vocalist gave me the goosebumps!

[@drhodes777]

As a lover of music, i must thank Tiny Desk for being one of the best sources for finding new (to me) music. I may never have heard of this man without this platform, now a fan of his, and Kiefer.

[@user-sw7my6kp7g]

Just had a flashback to the 70s. So comforting.

[@xxdalionxx]

so wild considering carrtoons is such a modern artist production wise.

[@Sharelleiamhis]

Sister with the glasses on! I don’t know your name but my GOODNESS! SANG HONEY SANG! I’m delighted!

[@ZephyrFate]

Julia Zivic

[@JosephTyler]

I got emotional listening to this, you can hear the passion in every note from the vocals to the instruments

[@jhowitt88]

Soul for real...thank you!! Tears and chills 7:20 WORD!

[@thefaqsproject]

Carrtoons last 3 albums have been gold glad he is gettin his shine

[@bennolyon]

wow. 100% new to me artists. 100% absolute 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@feijoada35]

Brilliant!! ❤️‍🔥🔥❤️‍🔥🔥❤️‍🔥🔥❤️‍🔥🔥

[@tifa-tran]

this is by far one of the best tiny desks i've ever seen. love you guys so much

[@thatomohlala9148]

❤I agree 100%

[@edtsidas]

Besides the stellar playing, everyone just looks so happy to be there. Kiefer and Nate locking eyes at 13:21 captures the vibe of the whole set.

[@KevinMerinoCreations]

Soothing, Soulful, & Satisfying!!! 👏👏👏

[@AliKhan-ns5nr]

I dont know how to properly explain it but the sound engineering feels top class, I have never seen my old speaker come back to life before.

[@luho1346]

Most artists genuinely sound better in this studio than they do on spotify or their own studio its insane

[@TH-lo8mq]

It's always been very good, though I feel the vocals have been a bit too distant the past few years. Listen to anything before 2020 and you'll see what I mean. Lianne La Havas or Lake Street Dive, for example.

[@keshkesh.89]

🔥🔥

[@f1guremeout]

About time they uploaded this, I've been chomping at the bit for a week since mans posted it on IG. Love love love this mans vibe and is very gifted in the craft. Always show my guy respect on his music, do support real music like this. Kiefer over there vibin, love y'all's at Stones Throw and abroad, bless up Carrtoons 🙏🏾

[@matthewsilver152]

heard him CLT open up for Mac Ayres. Lot of talent and was under-appreciated then; don't sleep on this man!

[@abesickerz]

Kiefer on piano! Stone Throw legend!

[@love112489]

Haile supreme, the girls and entire band were incredible !!

[@LFSignGroup]

Thats the best!!

[@heatherfilice995]

Dare I say….. best Tiny Desk sesh?! 😍

[@Tiarettee]

Carrtoons!! He’s so underrated I’m glad he’s getting the recognition he deserves!

[@mrazzo15]

What a find! Thanks NPR 👍

[@LVee-ur8oj]

I cannot reveal how many times listening to this magic has saved my fkn life. This is medicine.

[@akamarvin]

That last "be there for you" gives me the goosebumps / frissons each time, those simple yet ultra effective harmonies, and how they send this track to the moon and back with the solos. Plus that lovely obvious way you can tell Kiefer is loving every milliseconds of Nate Smith's touch. Easily one of the most replayed Tiny Desk of them all, with the one from Tuxedo. So, so good.

[@ameliatompkins4702]

This just sings to my heart ❤️!!!

[@TheDomi731]

long time coming! carrtoons, julia, joanna, and the band killed it as usual. excited to see them keep growing and providing immaculate music to the world!!✨

[@barrystevens7085]

Awesome the Ladies CAN SANG😊😊

[@maricinco7671]

Everyone closes their eyes as they preform their task is how you know they feel it in the soul 🤌🏽🔥

[@Runningfool297]

Was not expecting this to be sooooooo darnnn good ❤❤❤

[@peterhall1154]

Saw Carrtoons play in a tiny venue called the Sunflower lounge in Birmingham UK. They were amazing then and they are still. I doubt they will play that small a venue next time they visit! ❤

[@nmesomaekeugo7624]

I need a 45 minutes Carrtoons set pleaseeeeeeee this was too shorttttt❤❤

[@jacksonhayward6881]

Need this version of ‘Dial it Back’!

[@JaySuschrist]

This is amazing. Love he had his dad in his band.

[@filippodierico8293]

High musical skills at service of wonderful music, glad to have opened this video! Thanks once again NPR

[@tonyt1322]

I've been following Carr for a min...never disappoints. Big up NPR for always blessing us with the jams!! Vocalists on point, Kiefer killing it, both drummers, fire....string section just adding beauty to the overall vibe!! Beautiful to see Dad & son share this moment!!

[@soufienkhalfaoui7593]

"Both drummers"??! You're talking about Nate Smith sir...

[@tonyt1322]

@@soufienkhalfaoui7593 There were 2 drummers, Nate Smith and Diego Ramirez

[@sarakyoutube]

It’s life saving knowing there is still music like this being created this day in age.

[@nwk-wt3ty]

It really is...have a great day

[@Sherrieb]

I listen to this man's music and I didn't even know what he looked like. Spaceships & I choose you are my JAM!

[@mbulelonokwe9033]

Woow Carrtoons amazing,, and those 2 vocalists 🔥🔥🔥

[@Chipt1982]

Wow! Just wow so soulful and incredible musicianship all around

[@KindleReads]

All I know is I pray that THIS tiny desk version of there renditions be available on apple/Google/etc please 🥺

[@nicholasmalzahn9962]

Been waiting on this one

[@ROBOTxSHUFFLE]

To perform a dream concert with your DAD is the ULTIMATE life GOAL!! I could feel the love in that room . Wow! And Kiefer ! I’ve been a fan of his for YEAARRSSS now. Always such a VIBE ! ❤

[@samthebarber93]

I can’t believe I’ve never heard this before. This collection of artists is the nuts! So good! 😍

[@andreshurtado9243]

Speechless, what a performance from the lads 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🫡🫡🫡 CARRTOONS & Kiefer are legends and with the addition of the band, they’re the avengers.

[@artprado3466]

I lov3 love listening to artist I've never heard. Amazing

[@scottbritton3626]

How cool to play with your Dad!

[@eastskyresting]

Everyone here is just top notch. Ben's bass playing is just heavenly smooth and that tone is out of this world. This whole thing oozes love for music and I'm obsessed with it.

[@poebeats]

They both have angelic voices but the girl wit glasses oh my !!!!!!

[@B4Reel]

Neighborhood milk man here. Just came to tell tha singer with out glasses. I love you 😍🙇🏾‍♂️

[@msshawn4048]

Listen, came across a clip on Tik Tok. Their voices blend so well, so smooth & the band!!!!

[@johnmcgrathmusicproduction]

The whole band is amazing. Haile Supreme laying it down on vocals!!

[@soulplayevents]

just WOW WOW WOW, amazing vocals

[@spiritualstone3756]

I came here from that one TikTok. I’ve always watched Tiny Desk, but never checked in artists I didn’t know! 😩🔥❤️

[@hippoge7987]

Omg discovered them from a Mac Ayres concert last year and they were awesome!

[@caia.d5245]

Best opening ever. Those voices are next level

[@ikkyacoustic2852]

4:28 ok.. my fav track is here

[@pjdizzy]

Carrtoons and family are just out of this world talented and I big love the music they create.

[@tashakhanway6619]

This is just what I needed. Thank you!! ❤❤🔥🔥🎵🎵🎵

[@djcoolcliff]

M b Nate Smith on the drums!!! VA in the building!!!! Nate taught me my pocket!!!!!!! And he dope on keys too!!!!!!!!!

[@Fride_rice_wit_egg]

Never thought I would find carrtoons on tiny desk I ❤ carrtoons

[@elisonsosants1435]

Just one thing to say: P E R F E C T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😮‍💨❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@EscanorChi]

I hadnt, for a while, watched on the many guests here who i dont know, ill be officially returning back to that behaviour. Thanks to my brother i didnt miss this experience, transcendent😊

[@tracicaswell]

Music therapy ✨🤎

[@FreshlyFaded99]

Vibes 🫰🏾🫰🏾🫰🏾

[@TO-vs2db]

lemme tell you that these girls can saaaang hunny🫰🏽

[@lifebyife]

I need this version of give it up now

[@kingofhearts1072]

Been following this guy before this, pretty crazy seeing him/them on Tiny Desk now.

[@robvandergraaf6596]

Discovered Carrtoons only last year...and now I cant think them out of my playlists. I instantly relax. Many many thanks to all the lovely songs you made (so far)

[@robvandergraaf6596]

Only problem is that my neighbors complain about me playing "Vamp" as loud as I can every weekend

[@RodT87]

Carrtoons is so nice! It's not even funny how well he and his group do their thing!!

[@beezybeezy00]

Give this man his flowers!!! Wooooooo

[@MosTalent]

This everything!!!!❤

[@Joni-521]

Wow those young ladies are really good. There all good. I’ve never heard them b4. Amazing love strings & piano ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🎸🙈wow my man has that let’s make a baby voice ❤

[@JustJourdan92]

I've been listening to this group for years and this is my first time seeing them. Wow. Lol

[@alchematicsounds]

Carrtoons doesn’t miss. His sound is magic.

[@civ1993]

Wow! I remember these guys when they were still Mad Satta! I’m glad Joana still collab with Carrtoons.

[@rischharte]

Great Bassist, love the tone, the time feel and the creativeness 💪🏼