Hobo Johnson and The Lovemakers: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Sept. 12, 2018 | Bob Boilen -- Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers accomplished something remarkable this year with their Tiny Desk Contest entry. They made a simple backyard video - a single camera shoot - that's now been seen almost 10 million times on KZbin. And the song they played, "Peach Scone," has unlocked a door to a dream - to play a Tiny Desk Concert and be heard. The song is a tale of one-sided love - a tale of kindness in the face of loneliness and depression. Now, "a couple of kids - five I guess" as its lyrics go, get to bring their creative, urgent and somewhat nervous energy from Sacramento, Calif. to play "Peach Scone" and more to millions of other listeners.
This is a band always on the verge of emotional explosions, all while Frank Lopes, aka Hobo Johnson, is quoting Shakespeare and making references to Jay-Z, The Front Bottoms song "Twin Size Mattress" and so much more.
The directness in their music, with its chorus shouts ("Damn I love those sandwiches!") and the little asides ("I got a duvet the other day - how do you wash a blanket? In a washer? That's what I found out") make for a remarkably personal performance. At times it's as much a storytelling session or personal confession than a musical performance, and for me it conjures feelings of empathy and understanding and compassion.
Set List
"Romeo & Juliet"
"Sex in the City"
"Peach Scone"
"Creve Coeur 1"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Bronson Arcuri, CJ Riculan; Editor: Production Assistant: Ema Sagner; Photo: John Poole

[@nprmusic]

Hey Tiny Desk Fans, Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths

[@martymcelroy9861]

Have any good story stories

[@MyReclinerChairCats]

❤

[@chaser22081]

I've never seen this type of music in my entire life, and it's putting me in a state I've never been in before.

[@aliciadamario6167]

The band la dispute hits the same as this guy. The poetic vulnerability of this kind of music is so incredibly heavy

[@LillianxRose]

Alicia Damario I’d say Hotel Books is a bit similar as well (:

[@iamkurazakii]

La Dispute, Hotel Book, Front Porch Step, and The Front Bottoms

[@chrys5104]

Yes he does. He connects with his audience. I love him. Every time I watch him and the bois. Just make me happy. Mood.

[@thedarksideoflightdsol5385]

Thanks for the recommendations guys.... I know these replies weren't for me but I'm gonna take them anyway...lol

[@elisiaduran260]

my ap calculus teacher told us that he had a late night because he went to a Hobo Johnson and The Lovemakers concert last night and I gained a new respect for him

[@IIcarus999]

I'm going this Halloween!!! Can't wait to see their tour

[@davidhendersonii221]

Why are you even taking AP Calculus🗿

[@8PedroFerreira]

David Henderson II why tf not?

[@how8765]

David Henderson II to get college credit and to advance learning for future jobs that may require advanced math, why even ask that question?

[@avenue7490]

David Henderson II for college most likely

[@dordiddis3970]

i dont know what it is about him. i come back to this from time to time, i get really emotional listening to him. what a unique artist, absolutely amazing!

[@spencerharmon4012]

Whoever the sound engineer at tiny desk is deserves the world

[@julanmb1309]

was thinking about this to. in other npr's vocals are so clear yet the instuments low out a bit under the vocals. Just like you hear in a well recorded studio only its in an office space with drum kits and singers 50 cm away from eatchother

[@Mimsyborogove923]

I mean, they work for NPR and get to produce Tiny Desk, pretty sure they have their perfect world :) We are lucky that they share it with us!

[@playalle1]

Josh Rogosin

[@lelandjohnson9403]

😌

[@ChrisTopher-vh8tu]

audiotree live and tiny desk are the gold standard of live sound 😅

[@TylerJudon]

It's impressive how long he sound like he's about to cry without actually crying

[@charliblake8551]

Tyler Judon THIS!

[@ajearlywine4622]

Almost convinced myself he’s mentally unstable, only the fact that he isn’t keeps me from that

[@theconductor420]

you win the comments!!!

[@daveyjay218]

Yes and how he smiles like the whole time

[@FuckFistingAss7osuFF7osu]

Tyler Judon I saw a few tears in Romeo and Juliet but the npr room is always hot so idk

[@tidikong]

I love that it feels like he's really telling these stories from the top of his head and not like he's going off totally from a set of lyrics. This is so authentic and real

[@gabrielpetersen8528]

Timothy Dietz Blood raw

[@doctajuice]

I'm sure he was a slam poet before this project

[@severini8153]

So great to have Performances that perforates the music box

[@Sidthekid666]

Its called spoken word. Its not off the top of the head tho.

[@velcrotastesgood]

@xSteamPunk this is a tiny desk concert, not a big stadium concert

[@JX-jk9qn]

Well, he just made the most vivid narration of my parents divorce, not even I could’ve explained it better, at least not in such a beautiful way. Thank you...

[@athenabarrett5972]

Makes me feel less alone knowing he experienced it too

[@mylesbfor3]

Bro explained my divorce

[@stinkysamson838]

So real. Definitely underrated artist.

[@biancasbookishadventures]

Still come back to this video in 2024. Remember watching this back in high school. Will always love these tiny desk renditions

[@weirdo337]

If you haven’t heard these songs before I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to tell what’s a part of the song or just hobo Johnson randomly starting to talk to a pretend person in the middle of a song, it’s awesome

[@Andrommmeda]

I just discovered him and you couldn’t be more right

[@jumiac.1996]

You would be extremely correct but I can't wait to find more of his stuff

[@Pizza21002]

I cant like this as much as I try. What part of the melody break do you like? I ask cuz it feels like it wrecks with the flow of the harmony imo

[@3mry_]

When the scones came on it was really confusing. But after listening to song everyday I get it

[@mariogutierrez2965]

I dont like hobo jhonson at all. But i love this performance. Ive never even listened to the studio version. I thought this is how the songs just were

[@joeszilvagyi]

I'm 50, happily married, grown kids, with a great career but when I listen to this it's like every single damn insecurity I've ever had has been given a voice. I really don't want this music to resonate so deeply but here it is. Exposed and somewhere between rage and a complete breakdown. These are words I would never say out loud but constantly haunt my thoughts.

[@rachelann2174]

Joe what the fuck

[@t.j._edits9669]

I think Hobos music is a catharsis for a lot of people who suffer internal conflict. I think if these insecurities have been finally "given a voice" it can be the start of a healing process, now that you found the words to describe what you may have wanted to say but couldn't define how to express it. I hope whatever you're going through that you heal and feel better. You deserve complete happiness, and know that there's a community that supports you. We're all in this together. Peace brother.

[@maswanimatiki]

You toot the words right out of my mouth

[@Jedwardoh]

Thank you joe! I feel this way too.

[@laurenshanahan3084]

joe szilvagyi and that’s when you know you’ve found a great artist

[@simonstevens8130]

Found this man about three years ago and since then i’ve come back to this video at least once a week. There’s no piece of music in the world that hits quite like this. Best part is todays the day i finally get to see him perform live and i couldn’t be more excited to feel the energy in that room.

[@drewilly9266]

felt this way too much. hope it was a great concert. also hope you have a great day

[@j.johnson7891]

Where did he play? I had tickets to see him in 2020 but they had to cancel

[@Jelisawesome]

How was the concert?

[@grcfan]

Just discovered him recently but he has a show near me in a few months, cant wait to check it out!

[@jordanmarciniak1133]

I saw him this past weekend in Columbus, one of the most high-energy, contagious shows i've ever experienced. I hope you get to see them soon.

[@etherealE777]

I’ve heard these songs over 1,000 times probably. But every single time it makes me feel all the feelings. He’s a wonderful artist.

[@dean4553]

He looks like he's on the verge of tears with every lyric

[@fartbrice4547]

looks kinda fake to me

[@dean4553]

@@fartbrice4547 I think it is exaggerated yeah but stilll

[@donniedarko3777]

póg mo thóin nah he’s full of shit.

[@trashcan1914]

What’s the difference? Personally I don’t think it’s fake, he’s using raw emotions in his lyrics to emphasize his feelings/thoughts

[@josephboro166]

@Matt He's had a pretty rough life. Probably should read about him before making a judgement.

[@alexanderwiklund9945]

It’s like his heart is breaking live. The lyrics keeps growing on me. Bittersweetly.

[@suezannemarie292]

💗

[@charliblake8551]

That’s the special sauce in what makes so effective! If can listen to this and not have your insides ache a bit.....you’re fasho dead inside🤷🏻‍♀️💔

[@queenrac6914]

nerd

[@0_Cardboard_0]

@@queenrac6914 stop getting your opinions from Hivemind, ironically

[@RunawayArtistX]

Whose still here in 2024😁

[@JustHereForCats]

Me. Been a hobo Johnson fan for years. He’ll never not be great to me 🤘🏽💝

[@DariusVT]

been a .001% listener on spotify every year since 2021, wasnt a fan of Revenge or Alienate, but Drinks has been a great return to form, I've been relistening

[@chuckcity8]

I just got back lol!

[@yumajohnny]

DAY 1 ❤

[@5erase]

🫡

[@jordansamples9274]

I just enjoy these songs so much more here than on Spotify. Seeing the emotion he put in just adds to the beauty of them all.

[@m5ty]

This is like watching all of your insecurities no one knows about write a song and you having to sing it infront of people. But it makes you feel good in a way

[@jw9517]

daniel russell damn 🤫

[@jonporter1233]

that's the point?

[@slapoop]

I hope you how much this comment made not feel so alone.

[@laboon4679]

*screams in poetry*

[@laboon4679]

@@tinkthevintagevixen1812 killing me softly with his words *screams poetically*

[@cameronknight1654]

his energy is so damn pure that even though the lyrics are pretty depressing i cannot help but watching with a smile on my face

[@randmcknoxly]

Same, but my smile has tears running past it...

[@lily579]

hobo johnson & the lovemakers triggered my love for poetry. now my life is filled with almost seven years of poems and songs that i wrote, and it's one of the only things i've ever been proud of myself for. he gave me the only coping mechanism that was healthy. im so grateful that now i'll always be able to take bad things and make them beautiful, or to take big, confusing things and make them make sense and at the same time it's my art, my very own. it's the greatest gift i've ever been given.

[@flowersafeheart]

Oh my goodness. That's beautiful! I'm so glad you found that creative outlet and therapeutic expression. Keep it up!

[@joellchapo4336]

he should be homeless

[@alyssacox1783]

This is so beautiful.

[@jessealmonds]

@@joellchapo4336bro get a life. Why do you hate him so much

[@Lexicakes]

I used to listen to Hobo Johnson’s music often in high school. This brings back how much I felt and related to his music.

[@emily-xc8ny]

the raw emotion in his voice when he's singing or rapping, matched with the pure joy on his face is unlike anything i've ever seen before,, wow just wow

[@durden91tyler]

its forced character acting and the same as relying on makeup rather than talent. its hipster artistic edgy melodramatic money grabbing. nothin new. its like death metal you cant understand the lyrics to. and because there are people out there that "don't get it" its gunna do well.

[@chromosome3242]

@Luis Martinez This is one of the dumbest takes I've ever come across.

[@scootaymildo1070]

@@durden91tyler your theory is essentially self-defeating. Even if he is "character acting" (not sure what basis you've reached that conclusion tbh, he seems pretty sincere to me but whatever) to be able to convey the level of emotion in his performance is impressive, whether entirely sincere or not. To make out as if he lacks talent just seems bitter to me.

[@enneff]

@@durden91tyler he’s performing. They’re performers. All the people on tiny desk concerts are. What else do you suppose might be going on?

[@heather67890]

@@durden91tyler then do better

[@theamateurstake]

When he loses control, whether intentionally or not, I can't help but 100% feel what he's feeling. He's such a special person and makes you feel like genuinely, anything is allowed and anything is possible

[@glennmuir5617]

"Special" alright.

[@victormorales5656]

Man , this performance never gets old . Watching it takes me back to the way I felt when I saw it the first time .❤

[@producedbyvish]

It gave me diarrhea when i first saw it

[@shawnsperry206]

I love how he is not perfect. There is so much emotion put into every song. You can hear the soul he puts into it. True life experiences in music and poetry.

[@weirdo337]

I absolutely love hobo Johnson cause he feels like a completely different genre of music, it’s like a slam poet that has started making music combined with like that weird indie band that is extremely good but like only exists in weird clubs or something, idk but it’s just amazing cause it’s like you can just really hear how much fun they’re having and how much they like what they’re doing and it’s just wonderful

[@crackersnapped-paladinsvid4050]

I feel like it's like folk + indie + slam poetry

[@daniellloyd1801]

Listen to John Cooper Clark - I wanna be yours very similar style of poetry and music

[@tedcrossley3775]

Kind of like some of Watsky’s songs

[@loddins]

You guys should check out Listener - Wooden Heart ♥

[@lukeburns533]

listen to the front bottoms "My Grandma vs Pneumonia" or "Grandma Rose"

[@joeytrombino]

It's as if he took truth pills and is trying to get every thought out before his head explodes. Love this dude.

[@NoYouWhy]

Joey Trombino this is such a perfect description

[@Sarah-nn4mj]

Seriously, the beginning has them yelling "it feels so good!" And then he says "I'm too emotional" like it's a realization side effect from that drug.

[@LoveStroker]

This surprisingly accurate description gave me a good laugh. Hobo is rad!

[@MaeOdden]

So fucking true

[@scon_master_scon_master_]

nah he’s holding back more than you could ever imagine

[@Donnerbalken_]

this is one of my all time favorite tiny desk concerts. this voice is pure emotions and the lyrics are so refreshingly creative and thoughtful.

[@monojr5747]

Tbh he sounds like morty to me lol but u agree it's really raw really real, he's himself full time and releasing what he's really felling. This I'd a beautiful representation for raw poetry.

[@juliegeorge3817]

This is one tiny desk concert where I wish we had a cam on the audience too

[@brendansapp1426]

Is it just me or is nice when he messes up. It’s honestly refreshing and just makes him even more relatable

[@BigEtheBrute]

We’re all just a big ball of anxiety

[@krawellispirelli106]

And we all mess up sometimes...

[@oliver90166]

2k likes pog

[@genevievewalsh2007]

Yeah I hate the perfect edited versions of music now

[@peeteerpeedroo]

he must have been super nervous since this was his biggest stage up to this point

[@NatalieHolmes]

started off unsure about this, ended up almost crying. Wow, totally blown away, what poetry and blunt truth combined, the music adding an invisible canvas that drives the emotion even more. Amazing work.

[@5k33k]

Since it isn't already listed, the names of the performers are: Hobo Johnson - Vocals David Baez-Lopez - Bass Derek Lynch - Guitar Jordan Moore - Keys Ben Lerch - Drums

[@barndonmartin]

Jail. All of them.

[@Glanzern]

Hobo's name is Frank lol.

[@oledirtyvangogh6591]

I’m back 5 years later. Still absolutely amazing and brings me to tears almost instantly. This set is something magical. My dream is to be on this show one day. What an inspiration. ❤️

[@KylieColours]

I love this mopey, poetic bastard. You can't fake the rawness of his lyrics and emotion. Peach Scone has been my ringtone since I saw the backyard video.

[@ScoutNasty]

Watch "Hobo Johnson [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXPVZYmNi6p2p6s

[@JeremiahFernandez]

*PEACH SCONE FTW*

[@danrileysounds2024]

'I love this mopey, poetic bastard' ha fucking ha.. I'm coining that for use in as many future convos as possible :)

[@Aandi_pants]

The performance has an improvisational and raw vibe, but also, the band is so in sync. That combination, to me, is what makes this sound work. That and the obvious emotion behind the writting.

[@articstang]

As a mom who left a relationship, hearing hobo describing people falling out of love through the eyes of a child, makes me cry over 25yrs after it happened to us. Needless to say it was the best move I ever made however my kids have been affected for sure.

[@KeikoKeepSmiling]

❤️❤️

[@pslym]

And then everybody clapped

[@scoe3000]

Rarely do any parents consider the children during such times. At least you even thought about it, even if it’s 25 years later.

[@skeeter1707]

Any suggestions that you can give so others don’t fall out…?

[@kay-collins]

@@skeeter1707 be yourself from the very beginning. Don’t start off pretending to be someone you’re not. It won’t work out. Also, it sounds cliche but it’s true, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If something would hurt you, don’t do it to your significant other. When you do argue, view it as arguing against a problem in your relationship to make things better & not an argument against your partner. That’s actually pretty much it.

[@kimberlybell-nd9bj]

Randomly came across hobo Johnson and the lovemakers on Facebook a few years ago and I’ve loved them ever since. He’s perfect 😍

[@aprilsong7422]

Cause that’s the sound of people falling out of love....well I just cried

[@MsEmmyrox]

Melody mckenzie it seems to resonate

[@vtonyvicente102]

Im with youuu :(

[@doigyredds]

I wasn’t ready for that either

[@steezfourdays]

I wasn’t ready for that to hit me like truck straight in the chest

[@chrisfifield8223]

Yeah that line hits hard . This man is a poet

[@kxturah4149]

his music is so genuine. you can tell it’s from his heart.

[@BontleLanga]

Y'all have a comfort video? That you just watch on repeat either crying your heart out or raging at 100% to just let it all out? This. This whole performance is free therapy.

[@charlotterobertson5318]

Same!!

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

Quite a few.

[@cantaaloupemelon]

This is mine too ❤

[@sandyjameslord]

To Hobo Johnson and Tiny Desk, thank you. I've listened to this recording dozens of times, along with many other tiny concerts cultivated by Bob and the rest of the team. I love them. The Cranberries, Mac Miller, Dua Lipa, Sarah Cahill, GWAR, et al. Unforgettable performances. Frank, you and all the Hobos are emotional messengers that I resonate with. Ups, downs, lows, highs, togetherness, feeling apart, feeling together and apart. I hope you all find time to keep playing, as a band or separately. I've got outlets, but making music isn't one. I feel you speaking for me here. Thanks for saying it all.

[@DakotaWester]

I wish tiny desk had a Spotify playlist.

[@zachyoung4132]

Dakota Wester they do but not these versions of songs just regular

[@MrMadartist]

@@zachyoung4132 i want this version

[@synk321]

@@MrMadartist I also want this version

[@MsKoik]

They have a podcast

[@cd7964]

for real

[@MsRolltide12]

Hobo Johnson and The Lovemakers are very talented. I come back to this vid often to indulge in my teenage angst that I should probably go to therapy for. I simply love their work.

[@Buumblebee]

shanna eiland lmao same xoxo

[@simonb.5236]

Angst... using german words huh? Make sure to give it back soon pls. We need them

[@martyjehovah]

@@simonb.5236 No you don't. We know you guys have cool words for literally everything including things the rest of us didn't even realize we needed a word to describe until we found out you had a word for it. You guys can spare a few.

[@simonb.5236]

@@martyjehovah No we can't. German has to remain wordy, aqward and super hard to learn.

[@beautanicalgardens6353]

My 13 year old daughter introduced me to this young man's music very briefly. I being busy brushed it off and didn't really listen. I couldn't vibe with the style. Sounds like he's on the spectrum... Listening to this Tiny Desk performance has given me an amazing respect for his music. So deep. So introspective. So sweet & humble. If there is one new young artist the youth of our world should be listening to it's Hobo Johnson. Romeo & Juliet had this old man tearing up. My kids unfortunately lived through a similar situation as the end of that song. Love this kids music though & will pay more attention when my daughter is showing me who she loves to listen to.

[@Fatally]

You are a thoughtful and caring parent

[@kathybramley5609]

Please could you try train yourself for a more general respect of neurodiversity. "I couldn't vibe with the style. Sounds like he's on the spectrum..." made every muscle in this autistic body cringe, made my period cramps worse.

[@EmersonJ_]

Respect. Being in the moment and listening are two of the best gifts you can give as a parent.

[@_The_Weatherman]

"sounds like he's on the spectrum" uuuuuh... what???????

[@courtneymsx]

Awe thank you so much for actually listening and understanding this! Such a good parent ❤️

[@rodrigoxavier4230]

It’s been quite a long time I don’t listen to this guy, he always shares his feelings in every song. Probably all that was years ago but he sings about it like it was yesterday

[@calebbrown5776]

Cherish him while he's here. Frank is a gift that we won't get again.

[@F19_33]

💜 agreed

[@thomasbohlen1138]

Hobo is just one of those singers that just doesn’t sound right if you listen to the more perfected recordings. His style needs to have the raw, unedited feelings to sound really complete, and I love it so much. It’s so beautiful to hear these completely unmuted, open emotions, and hobo is the only singer I’ve really heard who knew how to use his extreme emotion to make his songs sound complete.

[@shortshrcets]

listen to where did you sleep last night by nirvana the MTV unplugged version

[@VCMarina]

you look like Thomas Sanders lol

[@alexschlink3504]

Listen to hotel books - constant collapse

[@ABeautifulTraveler]

I really hope he knows this himself, I was telling skmeone about how that raw Oak Park shit is still gonna be the best rendition of any of his songs so far.

[@user-bg3tn4xv3i]

Yeah, particularly with the album version. Romeo and Juliet sounds a little boring, but when you listen to the live recording it sounds way better. :)

[@elipop777]

I don't know how this guy isn't crying the whole set while sharing such emotional memories. This is genius.

[@sknight13602]

Just discovered this today. Listen to it 6 times in a row, pretty sure I almost cried the third time

[@Enta_Da_Sage]

Listened to it once all the way through. I started crying as I read the comments when it was over and I reflected on the what I just saw and heard.

[@catedoge3206]

He's like doing spoken word and singing and venting. You can see that he's legit honest with his work. That's rare.

[@thomasewert6724]

Anybody listen to these tiny desks and then try to go listen to the studio version and just be disappointed because the tiny desk version was so good :/

[@EdwardLorn]

Every time

[@CommanderBridger]

ME!! I stumbled upon this after watching Mac Miller tiny desk and I honestly didn’t like it at first but the more it stuck in my head the more I liked it and kept coming back to this video. Then I hit up his apple music to listen to these songs and was thoroughly disappointed. Especially Sex in the City. Why so fast?

[@haydarmajzoub7691]

Every. Fucking. Time. Except Erykah Badu 🤣

[@aeeazy4065]

Yeah man

[@Jasmineshatter]

Thomas Ewert completely agree! Their live performance is so much better

[@pezzottaitemeh8616]

I found this video over a year ago now, but I still can't get over it. Hobo Johnson's music is just so real and honest and human on a level I haven't seen before. I love it so much!

[@MisterIsme]

This guy cuts me to my core. It's like....all the words for all the times I didn't know how to explain myself. His music is the answer in my head that I choke on when people ask me "is something wrong?" and I say "no I'm fine."

[@abrahamluna4647]

you get the corniest comment award😭😭

[@makanakal2167]

What i love about Hobo J is how completely unapologetically raw he is! Watching him perform and show that much emotion makes me feel like damn hes talking about real life experiences hes here having us fell a type of way!

[@imalostcause]

[@steve738]

You notice how the peach scone lyrics change (about living in his car etc) but it still all just comes to mind because he's just telling his story.

[@kennethkelsoe2688]

And everyone here in Sacramento is watching this like “damn, he finally made it” Hell yeah Hobo, you da man

[@torijeanette8454]

Whooowww Sac!

[@thestanlee1534]

Not what i wanted from sac to make it but whatelse from sac actually deserves to make it lol

[@kennethkelsoe2688]

The Stan Lee well, your other options are: Tesla, Papa Roach, Deftones, Cake, Middle Class Rut, Oleander, the Cramps, Blackalicious, etc. But Hobo is the most original artist of the bunch, like him or not

[@thestanlee1534]

@@kennethkelsoe2688 those bands already made it big

[@kennethkelsoe2688]

The Stan Lee correct, but they “Made it” from Sac “Making it” is subjective anyway

[@twin-diaries]

cant even begin to express how much i love him and his music

[@carlosadeleon]

No one else sounds like this. No one else feels like this. It has moments of song and melody, and then moments when the world just breaks apart under you and you fall until the phrase ends. I have never seen anyone better at building up a series of line just to demolish you when the stanza ends. And you know it’s coming and yet you never expect it when it happens. The chorus of “peach scone” is devastating but it somehow hits harder every time you hear. Even tho I’m not a child of divorce, the Romeo and Juliet song gave me a front row seat to my parents imaginary divorce, and I’m don’t think I’d can tell you that my feelings are imaginary. The best art is the one that doesn’t just comunícate a feeling, but transforms someone else’s private moment into a moment you know on. I am repeatedly go smacked by their ability to bring into feelings and situations I can’t imagine for myself.

[@johnhanson5527]

For you hobo, you’ve got not your happy ending but your happy beginning. Congratulations.

[@nikob381]

I wish I could thumbs up this but "you're happy ending" is killing me

[@johnhanson5527]

Niko Birbilis sorry bout that!

[@nikob381]

Hahahahahaha :)

[@iZombits]

Awwwww :')

[@CheyenneSands14]

John Hanson so kind ❤️

[@nicolemarquart2750]

why does it sound so good when the people in the back just scream. I love it

[@josephkanuha408]

Discovered this a month ago and have watched it, like, thirty-plus times. Terrific.

[@Jc2260]

Do you know what’s so crazy? It would be so easy - SO EASY - to make fun of this guy and their music. But if you can give it a chance, my goodness. You open the doors to something so freaking powerful. And now when I’m driving home and lost in my thoughts guess what my brain wants to listen to? This performance. And it looks like I’m not the only one here. All because Hobo was brave enough and vulnerable enough to share this weird creation of his with us. And aren’t we so glad that he did!

[@dannypacking8140]

Hmm you know what now that I think about it this is still some horseshit

[@jonnyflores1499]

@@dannypacking8140 😭😭😭

[@nickbaldwin4728]

You obviously have never heard slam poetry. THIS is real life. He is telling a story through his music.

[@barndonmartin]

You're right. It is very easy, because it really sucks.

[@Garth2076]

Gave it chance. Still bad.

[@clockworkcrimson]

Incredible how while they didn’t win the npr contest their entry got so popular that they just got invited as a somewhat well known artist tho I’m mostly impressed by Bob Boilens baking skills

[@JTEsterkamp]

They were signed, you have to be an unsigned artist to be eligible to win

[@abranherrera3512]

The guy that won was objectively better though. Once I saw his entry i saw why he won.

[@aidancanoli]

fr they perfectly transitioned cuz of their blowup

[@shudderclaw7197]

@@abranherrera3512 who won

[@pokinsmot]

@@abranherrera3512 I dunno about "objectively"

[@s_b_g_pro]

its a form of poetry at its most raw form. so personal and meaningful. i can feel his pain through his contact and his lyrics. underrated. beautiful

[@luisnieto3236]

Almost like slam poetry. I agree very underrated

[@brandonblahhh3602]

It's called spoken word .

[@ghost-mz9vr]

this man genuinely changed my life without knowing wow

[@CaffeinatedG00s3]

Loved this from the first time I heard it. It’s definitely a niche style of music that isn’t for everyone seeing that it’s closer to poetry with background music. His delivery just pulls all the feels out.

[@stallonemorales2841]

If my anxiety could make music

[@sarahlindsay7767]

Yes!!!!

[@ahernandez223]

Omfg lmaoooo

[@mia6705]

Juan Morales the start of Romeo and Juliet was my brain at 3am

[@Jasmineshatter]

Truth

[@1966ReptiDude]

Yes!!!😂😂😂

[@zoyajavaid5060]

i love this because it’s not him striving for perfection in every word it’s him knowing the meaning and impact of his words and having genuine fun with the people he works with and you can see that in this and this is what all music should be like. raw and genuine and fun and impactful. music at its peak form

[@Jesuslover77712]

Salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ loves you all

[@travisgoulette3444]

@@Jesuslover77712 truth. Christian here. But how is it relent to his art. Did he mention Jesus? Maybe I missed it? Did he speak anything religious?

[@nprmusic]

How do you love rap when rap doesn’t love you back? From Rico Nasty’s harassment from toxic Carti fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion’s entire image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot - the second season of our investigative hip-hop podcast - unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that hold the entire culture back. Tap in to our first episode at n.pr/louder-season-2.

[@rarefruit2320]

Rap is all wack now. Hobo Johnson and the lovemakers got them peach scones

[@mattgleason9567]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@AlanSmithMusic]

we love you Bob. ❤

[@TiltingStarz]

This guy is a modern day lyrical genuis bubbling raw emotion all over a ravishing optimistic yet fractured generation like a freshly popped bottle of champagne 🍾 ✌❤🎨😎🥂

[@charlesvonsneedinghamiii2026]

hes cringe and not good. this wont age well, most cool people even think its pretentious and lame.

[@user-jn8cs1lt8m]

“Ur boyfriend and or girlfriend and or... who’s being mean to u?” I love him

[@doomsdaydanceparty7646]

nobody: the bassist and guitarist: AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHGGGG

[@justinwatson6932]

It's so good though

[@dana102083]

@Sarah Roba haha i fell asleep and that woke me up lol

[@mfwesley]

It probably felt really really nice tho

[@zaneridings3789]

The scream at the beginning is the best part of this for me.

[@kravann]

That's that point, the background screams his true feelings... And yet his heart is on his sleeve, you can clearly tell the man has passion

[@james8522]

This is the only video that always makes me smile once it starts playing. Even after 50+ listens over a year.

[@queenofcups5084]

I found this because people on Facebook were making fun of him but you know what this awesome pure poetry

[@danielprofeta]

Yes it is.

[@shustyrackleford_710]

Literally dude this is poetry/punk/rap

[@lilsforthethrilz]

it’s so refreshing to see this level of passion and vulnerability. i felt their energy and lyrics in my soul.

[@benobst9528]

Facts

[@stickshiftt9127]

I'm a fan of this kid. You don't see many men elaborating on emotions and insecurities. I find some truth about his emotion and awkwardness. It's real. Society pretends that there's only 1 type of guy. We are all elaborately complex.

[@tomrichardson5433]

stickshiftt have you seen trump's twitter feed? (For emotions and insecurities, complexity, not so much)

[@Namiis23]

As a girl who is very emotional, my boyfriend is too. I've never understood it to it's extent because my father (only male figure) was very manipulative. I think when they have the opportunity to express themselves, their problems and insecurities are sometimes different but just as important. I lack empathy in many situations but I'm really trying to fix it. I listen to him and think about my boyfriend and how I can be more understanding of his pain.

[@joshuamontgomery3733]

Well put i was thinking the same thing by the end

[@dustin7763]

All you hear are neutered men nowadays what do you mean? Real men with opinions and ideas have been shunned.

[@galacticspacebear9589]

Dude have you heard of Elliott Smith?

[@andeeznuts1]

the amount of emotion he exerts during these songs is insane

[@ericxsweat4599]

I absolutely love the intro to this performance. The energy and emotion is unmatched. It hypes me up

[@rmbea]

he’s so passionate about his music and his art i’m in awe of him

[@danielsmith225]

This band is the Embodiment of anxiety. And still I enjoy it.

[@miko3203]

Daniel Smith this is the perfect description... ugh This mixed feelings of their vibes

[@gr8pes]

I broke the 420

[@colecrosier2271]

honestly yes yet i feel calm when i listen

[@KarlaBytchLOL]

Absolutely

[@numbo655]

That's why you enjoy it

[@ambermartin5596]

that's the sound of people falling out of love...

[@mmuslovski]

If you don't feel this we will never be able to connect, My children should have never seen the horrible things their mom and I did in front of them. I hate and simultaneously love everything about their songs.

[@brandysmith5073]

So much truth.

[@michellep6365]

I have watched this about 20 times. I don't know what it is about this specific performance. The last song always hits every. Single. Time. I love your music and I thank you.

[@gabrielpetersen8528]

I feel this on a level

[@chrys5104]

Romeo and Juliet always hits me. And this performance when he gets a bit choked up. Kills me.

[@jimmyrainbolt8664]

Same!!!

[@Crybaby-Media]

M p no other recording of it compares. I keep coming back and skipping to twelve minutes. I get goosebumps every single time

[@Flagstallion]

why is this the best of hobo that I've ever heard.. Very well performed.

[@nickis0]

Hobo I keep revisiting this. You aint have to make me cry :c. We loves you bud

[@icedbannanas]

Arrived sceptical...for like 10 seconds...and finished the video a massive fan of this incredible group. Thank you NPR, ONCE AGAIN.

[@rjgthuro]

Saddest songs with the biggest smiles...

[@Donovan.Creamer]

His timing has gotten much better since he first broke on the scene. It sounds more now like hip hop than some a.d.d. kid talking over a beat. I dig it.

[@GVilleAnarcho]

I liked the talking more than the half-assed rap flow. It sounded like mewithoutYou. Now he kinda sounds like he's not trying hard enough to rap.

[@dakane328]

@@GVilleAnarcho damn I was trying to pin down what his sound reminded me of, I was thinking maybe la disputes here hear eps but mewithoutyou is definitely it

[@ctt544]

@@dakane328 yes And Listener

[@modestrocker1]

a.d.d? weird his songs are super focused.

[@Donovan.Creamer]

modestrocker1 I was joking. Haha just using that as an analogy. He’s definitely way more poetic than I could ever be.

[@BeatsGotStyle]

i keep coming back to this npr every month

[@Branhorn]

Going from Usher to this is insane 😂😂😂😂 I gotta fix my algorithms because this sound like karaoke nights

[@patricksoler]

This dude is just exploding with emotion and talent. I hope I see more

[@armandom.5299]

One of the dopest performances on Tiny Desk. The imperfect delivery and signature cracking voice is on point with the anxiety and nervous lyrics. Every song has a meaningful clip of a poor guy's life. Thank you Tiny Desk... once again.

[@igloososa]

well spoken, brother

[@xavierjimenez6592]

Amen

[@Andrew_-_-]

ahahahah this shit is so ass

[@armandom.5299]

@@Andrew_-_- like your breath 🙂

[@Andrew_-_-]

press here for likes “your breath” lmao are you ten he is literally just talking and crying this takes absolutely no talent anybody can cry and say some dumb fake deep shit like: “BUT YOU LEFT ME, IM SAD, INSIDE, I WANNA CRY” that is literally what he sounds like. Its so shitty and contrived that your comment speaks volumes on how shitty that your tastes are

[@peetos-chan2835]

This right here shows an evolution in his capacity to place emphasis and the band makes the music even more powerful. So much awesome!

[@tyiaela7317]

I'm pretty sure I need to watch this at least once everyday or I won't be able to function....

[@salgutierrez2814]

“But dear mom...” How many of us could write our own version of what follows that line....

[@joshualloyd8838]

Every one of us.

[@justingonzalez2846]

Preach

[@LegoMan-cz4mn]

@@justingonzalez2846 peach.. scones, yeah, peach scones

[@justingonzalez2846]

@Lego Man 12345 12345 don’t come for me unless I call for you AFOL

[@LegoMan-cz4mn]

TFOL that is :) and a FOOL

[@MrCashMoneyD18]

This feels like a band for that mood when you can’t outwardly express the frustration, sadness, and fear you feel.

[@royshantzis3321]

I think what's really interesting about Hobo is his lyric writing is very articulate, intellegent, and whitty, but his delivery is like straight up manic. Emotionally he really runs the whole spectrum, and I can see why that makes people uncomfortable. People don't like when someone is whitty and hitting those emotional low points at the same time. It's like black humor and romantacism and tragedy simultaneously

[@ravenna6543]

Proof that delivery can be everything. Such deep topics with a sunny disposition with wonderful musical backing.

[@adriannahernandez490]

I find it very relieving to find an artist who can encapsulate exactly how I feel when he performs his music. Sometimes it can be so overwhelming when feeling the music but it's good to see it performed where I know someone feels this too.

[@BeastSponsorshipUCLA]

He’s an artist my dudes. He isn’t a singer, nor a rapper, but a poet, and I feel people don’t understand that.

[@MrMadartist]

I wish I had the whatever he has to dp that I dont care what he is doing it is PERFECT

[@mattosborne1366]

yeah! and also...he's kind of all those things.

[@MrMadartist]

@@mattosborne1366 I write stuff but to stand in front of others and do that is just beyond me . Yeah I could give it another tey , but really I cant stand speaking in front of others lol

[@EagleScoutmano]

pretty certain we all know that this is a spoken word performance, virtually akin to slam poetry- however, I think we already had a word used for spoken word set to a beat, wait, what was it again? Oh yea- rap. Just because it's not what you expect out of the genre, doesn't mean it doesn't technically fall under it.

[@cristianmartinez9091]

Not that great of a poet to be honest.

[@Yallslayy]

Got off work last week, immediately frantically drove 4 hours to see these amazing people lol. I'm a super anxious, shy introvert but I was yelling all his songs out with everyone else. Met some wonderful people too! His music made me come out and into my inner self. Def my favorite living artist right now and best night of my life.

[@TheOmegasquid]

im already tracer

[@elijahburleson6907]

I saw him in Nashville! Most amazing concert!

[@Aster_Risk]

If he comes around my area I'm going. I'm also quiet and introverted, but you bet I will be yelling the lyrics.

[@plaidsuitcases]

I saw them in October. I get what you are saying. I am virtually agoraphobic and disabled...I have not gone to a concert since the 90s! But I sucked it up and my sister took me. Best night ever! He is a true artist.

[@christopherpieczkolon2735]

So I know that there is an abundant amount of music out there I've never heard, and although I have a very diverse taste and library of music I have no clue how this eluded me for 29 years. One of the most monumentally moving pieces of music,poetry,art I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I NEED to see them live and meet them all! No is not an option. Anyone that's seen them recently please message me and let me know where they might be playing over this summer. This is a crazy long post, but no exaggeration I've never posted anything on youtube or facebook because its just not my style. I understand its importance but nothing has ever motivated me enough to reach out and wanna connect with people over something on social media. Regardless thanks for reading this and any insight into the band would be awesome

[@normaniani5955]

This is my first time hearing him and his band. And I love him. Is music is so emotional and deep. They just carry everything that he was thinking and feeling.

[@DiconDissectionalReactions]

Welcome to Hobo Johnson:)