Hayden Pedigo: Tiny Desk Concert

Lars Gotrich | November 13, 2023
Hayden Pedigo's guitar tells stories through musical landscapes. At the Tiny Desk, he plays quiet, gentle melodies inspired by his Texas panhandle home that still manage to kick up little dust storms of the soul.
As a teenager, Pedigo picked up fingerstyle guitar by way of John Fahey and Robbie Basho. A decade later, his songs have taken on ambient and avant-garde textures, yet have never strayed from a strong, narrative drive. The set here features "Elsewhere" and the title track from his most recent record, The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored, plus "Carthage," a personal favorite of mine, via 2021's Letting Go. On songs performed with six- and 12-string acoustic guitars, he makes you lean into the silence to wonder what small gifts await; Pedigo assures us that the long pauses represent Amarillo, Texas' "flat plains that go on forever."
To close, he plays a song inspired by a letter written by National Lampoon founder Doug Kenney; on a borrowed Telecaster outfitted with three humbuckers, "The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored" then takes on a thicker tone à la slowcore cult favorites Duster, rendering the song's bittersweet melody a rumbling tribute.
SET LIST
"Elsewhere"
"Carthage"
"The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored"
MUSICIANS
Hayden Pedigo: guitar
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Lars Gotrich, Bob Boilen
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Videographers: Maia Stern, Zayrha Rodriguez
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant/Photographer: Michael Zamora
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Joshua Bryant, Hazel Cills, Kara Frame, Ashley Pointer
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #haydenpedigo

[@haydenpedigomusic]

Thank y'all SO MUCH for having me! Had a blast getting to play these songs at the tiny desk and talk about my hometown of Amarillo!! I hope y'all dig!!!!!

[@user-pf9tl8xl5p]

Hayden did a great job! Love his music, and I'm not just saying that as a proud dad!

[@theolangason]

Dear NPR, you should include a companion video where the audio engineer describes their approaches to recording each video. The videos always sound so good and I'd love to get a peak into the methods, challenges, and tricks that make tiny desk possible!

[@samgould8567]

I'm a fingerpicker, too, but I can't play guitar when I'm rocking my son to sleep, so I play your music instead! Works like a charm and we both love it.

[@NOGODEGALPEACE]

john fahey hearing from above

[@sammerspage]

NPR stays serving heat

[@KenneyCmusic]

Without even reading the description, I thought of John Fahey right away. Same with Basho. It's different from other American primitive style guitarists though. It's ethereal, and dreamy. Very unique. Can't wait to check out more.

[@averyparkway679]

my american primitivism king finally gets to shine

[@mountainhobbit1971]

I personally love the 'awkwardly long pauses', they allow me time to feel and wonder what is next, often like a really thoughtful, caring and deep conversation.

[@TheArtofBlues]

If you are playing real music there should be no stage fright/nervousness, you are playing music its bliss.

[@haydenpedigomusic]

Whoa! For some reason the views/comments jumped up a lot recently and I'm not sure why!

[@selkirkian]

all of these songs are in my backpacking playlist, and theyve rocked me to sleep among the wolves and the grizzlies so much that when i hear it in the comfort of my house it makes me feel some type of way i cant describe. in the wilderness these are my lullabies.

[@AnthonyHernandez-eq8cd]

As a native from Amarillo, Hayden's music really encapsulates the feeling of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle like no other. It's dry, seemingly empty, and a little depressing. But there's also an unexplainable beauty to the area. Thanks for repping the 806 Hayden!!!

[@jaytolbert7538]

Grew up in West Texas, Lubbock, in the 50s where wide-open space resides. Your music reflects the place I remember.

[@warriordrum]

His unhurried stream of conciouseness reminds me of childhood memories and golden light they live in.

[@Eve.with.a.Y]

I was already feeling the emotion of the music, but that first powerful upstroke around

[@MoviesCB]

I was able to shoot a music album of Hayden's music in the Amarillo area for director, Chip Lord. Chip being one of the people who created Cadillac Ranch and if you ever in Amarillo you should drop by to take a look. Not only is Hayden an inspiring musician-love his comfort level with silences-he is one of the good people who, if we are fortunate, we are allowed to encounter in our lives. A nice sense of peace and wonder to hear and watch Hayden play again after these several years have passed. Thank you both Hayden and Chip for the opportunity to film with Hayden's evocative and visual music.

[@georgewyndham1735]

The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored is incredible - echoes of John Fahey and Ry Cooder but also totally original. It's painting the American landscape with the guitar.

[@ThodEssmann]

Hayden, this music is exquisite. I love music inspired by landscapes. It is very visual. Keep going. The world needs more of this. It shows you are deeply listening and that makes all the difference. Also, thanks for mentioning stage fright. I suffer from it as well, shaky hands and voice. You've inspired me to not give up. All the best, Kevin

[@ericcox5079]

The auditory landscapes of Amarillo go so well with my hikes in Appalachia. Absolutely love Hayden’s work, and appreciate he absolute beauty of his art