Deep Sea Diver: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Marissa Lorusso | May 25, 2021
Deep Sea Diver's Jessica Dobson didn't neglect the details for the group's Tiny Desk (home) concert. For starters, she sported an impressive homemade bolo tie that she crafted from an NPR enamel pin and "a little bit of duct tape." She also chose a very particular location for the shoot: "There were countless times this past year that I wanted to be transported out of my house and into a different world," the singer and guitarist explains to NPR via email. "One of my favorite and most inspiring worlds is that of David Lynch's Twin Peaks. I wanted to pay homage to the show by recreating the red room for our Tiny Desk."
Inside the red room, the set includes three tracks from Deep Sea Diver's marvelous 2020 album, Impossible Weight, plus "Stop Pretending," which was chosen as one of NPR Music's favorite songs of 2020. Joining the band are some special guests: Natalie Schepman and Meegan Closner of the band Joseph sing background vocals, and Dobson's Beagle, Henry, makes an appearance. (Dobson claims he's the only one who didn't care that Deep Sea Diver couldn't tour last year.) The performance itself is a testament to the group's attention to detail, too; as in many of the best Tiny Desk concerts, the band's magnetic energy and finely-crafted songs make the small space feel huge and joyous.
SET LIST
"Impossible Weight"
"Lights Out"
"Wishing"
"Stop Pretending"
MUSICIANS
Jessica Dobson: vocals, guitar, piano
Peter Mansen: drums
Elliot Jackson: keys, guitar
Elijah Thomson: bass
Natalie Schepman: backing vocals
Meegan Closner: backing vocals
Henry Lee: beagle
CREDITS
Video: Tyler Kalberg, Luke Dumke, Dylan Priest
Audio: Trevor Spencer
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Marissa Lorusso
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Production Team: Kara Frame, Bob Boilen, Gabrielle Pierre
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #deepseadiver

[@fedemarquez]

came for the Twin Peaks scenario, stayed for the music

[@drworm73]

Me too. What a good band!

[@jujubadegoma100]

Same

[@bestofjillhives]

Came for DSD, stayed for the Twin Peaks vibe

[@Jimberino760]

I can’t believe there’s other twin peaks fans here. I feel at home.

[@antonellalencina7535]

OMG I looked at the same thing, are they fans or is it just coincidence?

[@kevbob]

Jessica's guitar work is just tremendous- she really pulls a lot of character out of that Jazzmaster.

[@Ranakade]

One of the most talented indie rock bands I have ever seen. That frontman is doing guitar solos while singing. 🙌❤️

[@hacmia8708]

After a month of binge listening... Impossible Weight is seriously one of the best albums I've heard since Radiohead's in rainbows. Incredible band. Thanks NPR.

[@glorysurabaya5140]

YES, my thought also, do you have any other reccomendation album that are similar on sound and vibe?

[@alastairs3727]

Totally agree, haven’t stopped watching the KEXP session as well !!

[@scottkowalski7325]

100% !! King of Limbs is a favorite too.

[@Jimberino760]

The twin peaks lodge theme made me an instant fan. I didn’t realize it at first either. Music rocks, vocals killen, everything solid. So fricken rad. Oh my god.

[@natehill1370]

This set and performance is insanely good. Out of hundreds of tiny desk concerts, this is honestly one of my all-time favorites.

[@Metalpug79]

Deep Sea Diver and Jessica Dobson have been a favorite of mine for quite a few years now, they never disappoint when we're lucky enough to get new music from them! They truly deserve to be heard and loved by way more music fans. If this is the first time you're hearing them play, jump on board cause there's always room for more of you on this train! Tell your friends, tell your Mom & Dad and siblings too!

[@anthonytonycorso7550]

Amen to that Metalpug79!

[@grantmorgan1104]

Beck, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Shins. So glad Jessica is getting some solo attention! She's one of the best guitarists and artists out there!

[@Metalpug79]

@@anthonytonycorso7550 ✌😎

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Impossible Weight* (3:28) 4:37 - *Lights Out* (8:22) 9:30 - *Wishing* (13:16) 13:35 - *Stop Pretending* (17:45) [17:50 - Tiny Desk team]

[@3c3ntric_3]

thankyou for adding the timestamp

[@anthonynilsson492]

Great girls😀😍💓💗💗

[@anthonynilsson492]

THANKS to NPR TINY DESK

[@musiclife2807]

Don’t get much better than Deep Sea Diver... I love Jessica’s guitar tone and voice!

[@saflickan]

Brilliant pick as always, NPR. Never heard of Deep Sea River and absolutely love them already. Can we please talk about the drummer? Incredibly creative, intense and musical playing.

[@tonybrooks476]

Deep Sea Diver.

[@emmaripley9688]

Yesss! Peter the drummer is the front-woman’s husband.

[@bradenadams6351]

Peter is amazing! So much talent in this group!

[@daviddockery20]

One of my favourite bands at the moment this is siccccccccck

[@edmundau-yeung9598]

Mom I’ve just discovered a truly amazing band.

[@buaboy]

I have a Beagle named Special Agent Dale Cooper, This makes me very happy!

[@sam_zach]

I have a cat named Special Agent Dale Cooper

[@buranopeach5245]

I love that moment you discover someone new to love

[@justinpotts390]

So thrilled Deep Sea Diver scored a seat at the Tiny Desk. Maybe now the world will finally catch up. Absolutely brilliant.

[@VioletMused]

Guitar tone is fantastic as you would expect, love Jessica's voice. the band sounds great.... the harmonies at the end of Wishing though: that was magical. that moment just sounded incredible in a way I can't articulate and completely threw me. I had to rewind it immediately after the song ended. wow. (the whole performance is amazing that part just really made me feel something)

[@michaelkay611]

Jessica is phenomenal, the band is stellar, Impossible Weight is impossibly good... and this performance and mix are awesome. Thank you!

[@brianmonday639]

One of my new favorite bands, and the fact that you're Twin Peaks fans only makes me love you more.

[@bralph82]

Ships still one of my favorite songs.

[@staceysmith967]

My favorite Desk this year. Amazing. And now I'm going to go and buy all the things...

[@dominickcritelli5631]

Dang! I already knew they were awesome but I was still surprised by how good that was. You can definitely hear the Shins influence but they've done a great job molding that into their own thing. Love it.

[@travismegale6796]

Awesome set. Guitar tones are brilliant. First heard of you guys from your JHS appearance. Come to Australia. 😀

[@danielirvine7468]

NPR you rule don’t stop ever doing this! Nothing beats live bands

[@deansantos8915]

I never noticed how fire the bass line is on Stop Pretending until now

[@BogoljubTeofilovic]

loooooving the passion of the backing vocalists!

[@BogoljubTeofilovic]

OH MY GOD IT'S JOSEPH

[@stephaniedussault2122]

@Jun Waddington I guess it's a matter of personal opinion. I'm a back vocalist and ppl always tell me (including my fellow band members) that I don't dance enough. I think some ppl find it awkward to see a back vocalist just standing there, even though we don't expect instrumentists to do the same and it absolutely doesn't mean that we're not vibing lol

[@marianhreads]

@Jun Waddington totally agree

[@Shygster]

That guitar, the playing, the sound... *chef kiss* perfecto.

[@gavinbrenesdutch9134]

Sounds amazing. I didn't know this band and after seeing this and hearing the 'Impossible weight' album on repeat for the last couple of days i've become a fan. Superb stuff.

[@jamestree6697]

I love DSD! Since 'Juno Song' I was hooked and waited so long for their new album. Thanks Tiny Desk

[@thearchivist250]

It's only been up for 7 hours and I've watched it three times.

[@robotsongs]

Holy MOLY this is an incredible performance! So much love to you guys!!! OMG! AND *FREAKING JOSEPH!!!* OMG OMG!! AND *FREAKING NPR BOLO TIE!!!*

[@esteban_666]

I love how the whole band is SO happy playing music ... And I love Jessica, she is amazing ♡

[@MoystonFault]

Thank you Tiny Desk (and Bob) and DSD (and Joseph)

[@dexter471]

Great show. Even more impressive when you consider this whole set was performed backwards and then the footage reversed to provide the video we're watching now

[@JeLLoCowboy]

Sounds even better than the album, gawdamn

[@rulefollowermusic]

Wow the live guitar doubling on the solo is so great! Never seen that before

[@MooseSuperDawg]

Can't get these here songs outta my head!! The World is in need of your tunes - keep on playin' em.

[@deeliciousplum]

Wow! I can imagine the joy that a live audience experiences while at a DSD concert. 🌸

[@TechVdot8]

So glad this band is getting some shine

[@danstirling7386]

Love this! Great new find for me. Also seeing Eli made me nostalgic Richard Swift’s early tours 😢

[@johnrasmussen4144]

Stunningly great. This drummer is heroic. Great songs. What a band.

[@HughJassBite]

I've been following Jessica since her tour with the Shins. Love the Deep Sea Diver stuff.

[@joelgutierrez1657]

The drummer Wow !! That’s how you play after pandemic days thanks NPR amazing as always!

[@matthewjames206]

Fantastic drummer. Though his kit looks kind of janky. 😕

[@strangebirdsir]

One of the bands i kept coming back to all pandemic. Great to finally see a Tiny Desk from them!

[@DIGITAL7Media]

YES!! This is the kind of music I have been hoping to hear from NPR for months now. Dedicated new fan. I will now proceed to watch every video of theirs on YT ; )

[@HBJSpiegel]

WHAT a delightful find. Meegan and Natalie of Joseph fame. WOW, to the wow. I am head over heels here with harmonic euphoria. WHAT a rush. Endocrine storm. My grown son and conservatory student peeled away from Penn Law to join me seeing Joseph at World Cafe Live in Philly. He was awestruck. Sibling harmonies are dope. If you haven't seen it yet, please enjoy the Joseph Tiny Desk (top 5 easily for me)

[@jacobgonring8500]

So awesome that you had Natalie and Meegan with you!! Your show with Joseph on Valentine's Day in Madison was the last concert I went to before everything shut down. So seeing you all again not only brings back good memories, but makes me hopeful that live music will be back soon!

[@benspeeds]

An absolute force of nature

[@venusasabo1]

gotta thank NPR for outting me on to this

[@gimmetheremote]

I saw DSD play just before the pandemic along with Joseph. It was an incredible show! I'm happy to see they are still playing together here.

[@talmichles3260]

Awsome! So great to see you guys playing live again! Good luck on your up coming tours. Hope to see you live one day.

[@en2847]

Thank you Jessica. Look foward to seeing you in Portland! Happy New Year!

[@khulanicephasmziba6748]

One day I'll be the one performing on NPR🤞

[@cloudy214]

Good Luck Bro 💗☁

[@eurus3742]

Goodluck! Rooting for you!

[@chrisk23571]

Thats the spirit

[@Javzes]

Yes! Just go for it! Guys, Check! this guys voice. ;)

[@DavidMatias79]

Make it happen Cap'n!

[@win_jayden]

I'll be honest, 100% clicked on this for the Twin Peaks set... not my kind of music, but it sounds nice!

[@RVSO1]

Can't understand. The last song (stop pretending) is 100% Twin Peaks. Imho

[@SpeedyPu]

is it just me or does she look a bit like ronette paulaski?

[@amira978]

I’ve been eagerly waiting for you to have a tiny desk concert, and it’s as amazing as I had hoped!!! Can’t wait to see you live again in the future!!

[@cneubauer2]

absolutely flawless

[@courtneyjulep8063]

rewatching and loving this so much. best tiny desk concert and best surprise twin peaks nod. all the love for deep sea diver.

[@ruanlslima]

I love the drummer's energy!! All I ever wanted to feel behind a drum kit!

[@emilianomarquez1629]

Holy cow, these are great guitars, she rocks !

[@JBSchroth]

The Tiny Desk ^Home Concerts have been one of the brightest of the bright spots during the pandemic - and this one is a perfect example! Thanks so much!

[@InAverySilentWay]

Thank you Deep Sea Diver for this wonderful performance! These are some of the songs that helped pull me through last year and made me feel a measure of hope in times of deep uncertainty. Watching and listening to this performance is the sound of the ecstasy of hope. I sincerely hope to see DSD in concert for the first time in the near future.

[@juanireppucci589]

It's been weeks and I can't stop listening to this!! Thanks!!

[@seanmichaelhurley]

Just fabulous.

[@bikesbeardsbeers94]

Heard these guys open for Death Cab for Cutie the other night. They are simply stunning live and really know how to create the “dreamy” atmosphere. I will absolutely be looking to catch them on the road again in the future.

[@mightyV444]

Thank you for the bandcamp message that led me here! Great music, as always! And cute doggie, too! 😍

[@jeanwagner1977]

BB

[@burgesssam]

we love the twin peaks

[@SottileGioia]

i may be locked in the black lodge but the music's amazing here

[@pineyum]

Ugh I’ve been waiting for this day!! Haven’t even started and I’m so excited 💕💕

[@missmillie4889]

This is SICK!! Been a fan for a long time and finally got to see you open for Joseph in Louisville, Ky!! SOOOO COOL to see y’all on TINY DESK OMG!!! 💜💜💜💜

[@at_oussama]

i saw the thumbnail and was like this is definitely my type of music ♥️

[@bwahahahahahaha]

Thanks for getting Deep Sea Diver on Tiny Desk. It is one of my favourite bands and their last album is AMAZING. Oh and of course, this is perfect.

[@illt3ck]

Can't wait to see you guys live again! Great performance.

[@RealEstateAgentSF]

So thankful to have found Deep Sea Diver today.

[@sebastianalex7900]

Impeccable performance!!! Jessica is incredibly talented, one of my favorite bands right now.

[@hunterbiles9974]

You guys rock!! Love tiny desk bringing me so much music I haven't heard

[@bernardbrennan1612]

Only discovered Deep Sea Diver today. Beautiful music. The Black Lodge setting is perfect.

[@jacksonderulo284]

Hop on the DSD train everyone! 10/10 recommend doing it

[@AmateurBlonde]

Great job! Sounds FANTASTIC! Really well rehearsed. I love this. People playing instruments and singing their songs, what a concept!

[@roamingwesty]

2 songs in and I'm so happy watching and listening to you!! Sooo nice! Gotta tell you!

[@enzogarcia1028]

love the black lodge set so much

[@fappple]

This band is sick! Love the second song. Thanks once again for another awesome discovery NPR!

[@PabloEspinozaPablolein]

I keep coming back to this performance... Can't get tired of Deep Sea Diver, this is absolutely amazing.

[@jupiterjazzybelle]

so AMAZING, and im excited to see them live! love this band

[@TheGreenKingdom]

Great set and Twin Peaks motif!

[@izziOnBass]

Tiny studio concerts! awesome!

[@kitxnx]

Thank you KZbin for recommending me this because omg! This is amazing!!!

[@rezaarya5037]

My new favourite band. Thanks NPR

[@shinma989]

Yo Stop Pretending just has me crying lol such a good song

[@sixthdutch]

Wow, incredible performance! The band was tight and the vocals were spot-on. That was a real pleasure.

[@robyndocanto6527]

beyond!!! + Joseph! a dream set, great work!!!

[@q.parablesque5610]

Fantastic set. Love the interesting vocal melodies.

[@rektangular]

I love you guys! Cannot wait to see you live in Seattle sometime hopefully soon.

[@SirensHarbor]

Always cool to find an awesome group like yours!

[@joefish6546]

Songwriting is great, performance is very great, but then there's something else from these guys that just blows up the quality of the music. I can't put my finger on it other than I think it's just their 'feel' while they play. Like they're really squeezing every last drop of great out of each bar. Love it, thanks!

[@cornonthecobbob]

Third time watching this week. Was a fan of "Impossible Weight" before, but have gotten really into the album since this. Eagerly awaiting tour dates!

[@hoagy_ytfc]

Great show, I love this band

[@glennmcmullen5192]

Between the awesome performance AND the twin peaks set design..... WOWEE

[@leftystrat62]

Fantastic, always love to listen and watch them all make their beautiful music.

[@daveh3766]

Awesome... thank you!

[@johnnymancspice]

Can’t stop thinking about/playing this session. Can only say thank you. Like, ALL of you 💜

[@Gri11Master]

This takes me back. What a pleasant surprise.