Lau Noah: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Feb. 11, 2019 | Bob Boilen -- There's a magical aura that surrounds Lau Noah as she sits behind my desk and embraces her guitar with one foot propped unnaturally high on a stool. As melodies pour from the strings, she sings these words in Spanish: "On the verge of the soul, there is a red petal, attached to the skins of mortals." A few lines later in the song she continues, "a fragile petal that drinks the water of the most cruel stories: children who have never heard a fairytale, lovers who love, dressed in regret." This is the sort of poetic tale that captured my heart amongst the thousands of entries I watched during the Tiny Desk Contest in 2018. Her song she submitted for the contest is called "La Realidad."
Lau Noah's journey as a songwriter and guitarist occurred by happenstance. She was born in Reus, Spain barely a few hours drive from Barcelona. She speaks and now sings in Catalan, Spanish, English and sometimes Hebrew. She'd played piano growing up (never guitar) and left Spain for New York City five years ago while in her late teens.
On a visit to Montreal in 2016, Lau hoped to go to a Patrick Watson concert with friends. But the performance sold out and she was left alone in an apartment while her friends went to the show. Then a snowstorm ensued. The apartment had two guitars and, with nothing else to do, she picked one up and began to play. She wrote her first song, "Pequitas," which means "Little Freckles." Now, not too many years later, her creativity on both classical guitar, her narrative poetry and the singing of that poetry make the musician Lau Noah a unique spirit.
Before she played her final song, "Red Bird," at the Tiny Desk, she quoted Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, from his novel Don Quixote: "When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies," Lau said, reading from her notes. "Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams is madness. And maddest of all: to see life as it is and not as it should be."
Lau Noah herself writes the kinds of story-songs that provoke that sort of thought, so we've included translations for you to fully enjoy her vision.
Set List
"El Jardinero (The Gardener)"
"La Realidad (The Reality)"
"L'Adéu (The Goodbye)"
"La Belleza (The Beauty)"
"Red Bird"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kimani Oletu; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Photo: Amr Alfiky/NPR

[@nprmusic]

Want to play your own Tiny Desk concert? Unsigned musicians, enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Learn more: npr.org/tinydeskcontest.

[@burger1113]

What a monster musician... what the hell... also a poet. Somethin like a level 99 bard

[@DanielC__]

Junu Jeong She’s good, one of the worthy on NPR among the many “marginals”

[@oraziohall2969]

This is bizzaro word Billy Ellish

[@miguel918273]

Seriously, whoever chooses the artists in this channel is god

[@leftyjones9792]

Lost Dog Street Band????

[@wiccaslick879]

Hola miguel918273 y muchas gracias, thank you very much. Hahahaha, i'm only joking. I'm NOT the one(?) two(?) three(?), uno(?) dos(?) tres(?) that gets to choose the artists and well/bueno I don't even live in the United Snakes :P But!! Seriously, I AM god & I AM goddess. Just like you. Oh, and Bruce Lee :)

[@santiagoregueirooleaga6683]

Callate paleto!!!

[@Brandon-os3qr]

In the middle of an overnight shift, having reached that point where I am half awake and half not....this is the perfect soundtrack for both halves

[@Lob0Sec]

This is beautiful. I'd never seen anything like this before.

[@rahkriga]

You need to get out more if youve never seen a woman singing while playing a guitar..wow

[@privatelanguage5970]

You might like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKurnICEjb1gosk

[@GorgonDrageil]

Get out more... there's much beauty for you to uncover

[@histone5071]

I pity you guys, the world must look flat and boring if you do not feel anything special while listening to that girl

[@igor_stepanov]

@@histone5071 we feel it. But it’s also not uncommon

[@fluffyfluffykatz]

I LOVED her style! What I really like about her is that, in a way, her approach to Spanish folklore is a polar opposite to that of Rosalía. While Rosalía complements Spanish roots with more contemporary urban sounds, Lau distills these roots and harmonically enriches them, much like the bossa nova pioneers did with Brazilian samba. Thank you, NPR, for making my morning amazing with this performance!

[@Pedroelshulo]

Couldn't have described it any better

[@GuyDanielsMusicEtc]

This woman is not just a musician, she's one of the Muses. I was hoping to meet one, and now I have. Thanks Tiny Desk.

[@Rgdonaire_07]

Que gran talento. En este mundo de música tan pre fabricada y pretenciosa esto es una bocanada de aire fresco.

[@arielnicassio6122]

Jajaja permitirme disentir buena menta con vos. De pretenciosa la música hoy no tiene nada. Si algo le falta son pretensiones musicales. Por suerte hay artistas cómo esta chica. Un abrazo!!!

[@NotYourTypicalNegro]

This woman is a musical genius.

[@miroslavsafin]

She's got those jazz chords on lock!

[@JonSimonSid]

Innovative is an understatement, this is something else.

[@DanielBoonelight]

this is almost from an alien planet it is so good. it's the type of musical experience i feel as though i wait and wait around for... and tbh as an excited little sponge of a music-lover, most days and bands and people leave their imprint and do just fine, but then i move right along and it's mostly kinda forgotten. but this. this is something which changes the whole symmetry of head and heart, is masterful on any level you can name. like it's more musically sophisticated than the nerd combos playing big charts in 11, more visceral than the floaty girls lilting with hologram stage art, more original than the latest band in the dumb paste listicles, more evocative than the recognized singers, more poetic than the stuff in my language, and more full than most bands. i hope she can stay as pure as what seems to be leading her unique pathway. i hope she keeps hearing what she hears and not what anybody else tells her she needs to be. i need to see this live. thank you for letting her play here.

[@78trickyo]

That was probably the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard. Thank you.

[@0_moh_0]

After hearing it the first time I had to repeat it.. its so beautiful!

[@mfuendofseptember]

It's almost 3 AM here in California & I'm just getting out of work. There's nothing better than getting these tiny desk notifications. Just learned this was from her having submitted to a tiny desk contest, & I'm blown away! She's on par with some of my favorite songwriters. I'm glad you guys exist. Subscribed to her & am a fan for life. It's hard to believe that she's only been playing guitar since 2016. Makes me want to quit. Haha "Dreams that stay dreams because of minds that stay asleep." Pura poesia, Lau.

[@ericochoa25]

This was absolutely beautiful.

[@Lihmusica]

“When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams - this may be madness. Too much sanity may be madness - and maddest of all: to see life as it is, and not as it should be!” ― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote

[@EnaVerse]

I love Lau, I’m so lucky to have seen her perform several times. It’s even more magical in person. The way her fingers weave chords and dance rhythms on the guitar is extraterrestrial, truly captivating

[@bryanleemartin9747]

This is beautiful and full of hope. For when artists and poets, like Lau Noah, share their gifts, skills, talents and tools they inspire the world to do likewise. This is love. Thanks NPR Music for Tiny Desk concerts.

[@steelhunter2010]

Love the subtitles idea, it really gives piece a context for those of us who don't speak Spanish/Catalan. A minor nit, though, there could be less of a gray area around text, and it can be placed closer to the bottom edge, so as not to draw as much attention from the performer, but still be there for those who need it to connect with music.

[@totlyepic]

A better idea would have been to use the built-in subtitles feature on KZbin instead of cluttering the video with it for those that don't need it.

[@JordaoLVR]

Optional is always better

[@VashdaCrash]

Spanish/Castilian*, I think you meant

[@geofftennent5681]

@@VashdaCrash No, Catalan. As per the description to the video "She speaks and now sings in Catalan, Spanish, English and sometimes Hebrew." Also, she says in the video she speaks and sings in Catalan.

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Bridget I don’t need subtitles to enjoy music. I don’t know, but english speakers seem to be more eager to understand what lyrics in songs mean. As someone who’s swedish, I grew up with music which was mostly in another language than my own, and maybe that’s why I don’t think it as important to ”understand” it; there are many ways to understand music. Even though I obviously understand english songs now, but it still creates a distance which I in a way prefer - when I more consiously translate something I often do it because it sounds silly and I try to imagine how english speakers hear it... This music is of course narrative driven but I agree with others that it should be optional.

[@stephaniecantarero5942]

The tore out my soul and restored it. Absolutely amazing!

[@iainblr]

This music has touched my soul in a way that music hardly does. I am so glad for this video.

[@TobiasHoendervangers]

Absolutely mesmerizing.

[@albertgalcera2438]

I'm so glad to listen catalan in npr tiny desk. I'm a great fan of this concerts. And it's a great surprise to discover you here... Gràcies Laura ❤

[@joylouis8965]

Just crying. Phenomenal singer, guitarist and poet.

[@paulflute]

yes.. all of the above

[@imarithomas3603]

I am absolutely moved, inspired and overwhelmed by this...wow, so powerful...thank you

[@loro7lenguas]

Por fin!!! Mi alma necesitaba escuchar música sin filtros, tal cual y como emanan las cosas de adentro, sin poses, sin disfraces, sin la dictadura del puto mainstream! Gracias Lau Noah!

[@adwoaowusu-barnieh8893]

what beautiful poetry (both the lyrics and the composition on the guitar), would absolutely love for Lau Noah to come to the UK

[@martiquevedocalero8353]

Que trist (i alegre) descobrir-te per NPR quan vens de tan aprop. Preciosa composicio L'Adeu. Sisplau no tinguis mai mes por de cantar en catala! Es amb musica que trencarem barreres entre pobles.

[@bobbyforce1957]

This is wonderful music. Thank You too all the NPR people and Mr. Bollen for sharing this with all of us. I want to give back to you somehow when I find a way. -❤

[@wiseguy100]

She’s captivating. Thanks for providing the translation to the lyrics too, because her words are lovely.

[@damien620]

Merci! Aquesta es la més bella canço catalana que vaig escoltar, sense une dubte i de molt luny! Encara estic tremolant! Un Gran MERCI Lau!!

[@keinerwill4158]

I'm from a very tiny town in Germany and I found these Tiny Desk Concerts three weeks ago. So much great music is around me since then! THANK YOU so much!!! This catalan girl makes music so deep, so warm and wunderful played. Here I find the answer for all my questions...

[@keykiyox]

I was in a different dimension all through this video. Other worldly, is the right word perhaps. So enchanting that I was nearly scared. So different from other tiny desk things that I still cannot swallow this and probably need more time to digest. But her voice is a light. It shines.

[@marctucciaronemusic7738]

Absolutely fantastic artist !!!!!

[@JuwonAhn]

Wow,, I love this sound,,🔥

[@grilar]

That was truly amazing...really makes my week when I discover gems like this...

[@roykhadra9949]

All the respect for everything that concerns the talent of "Noah", her vocal skills, her playing on the guitar and the deapful and meaningful lyrics. That for posting this short concert, I wished it could be longer.

[@christinaalexander6093]

very timely and lovely, thank you.

[@aquafabamusic]

Enchanted!!!! She is so amazing!

[@mickyfinch9274]

You've excelled yourself Mr. Boilen, thank you for sharing such a poetic musician's work, thus adding to the groundswell of spiritual change abroad right now; Lau Noah is deep and unique.

[@eddyruiz9014]

I've been waiting for someone like her to come along for a long time. She reminds me of a young Silvio Rodriguez and in my opinion has the potential to become one of the great ones in this genre.

[@mezlandia]

Bish made me cry ♡

[@qwargy]

Wow, amazing talent!

[@michaelpedicinjr]

My first listening to Lau! I am somewhat overwhelmed by the beauty she speaks and sings........

[@MrCarlosaugust]

Es genial ver que los artistas traten siempre de innovar, de arriesgarse a tocar algo diferente. Muy buen trabajo Lau! No te conocía, pero me gusta lo que hacés! It's great to hear new latin artists at this channel, that became my favourite channel of live music on KZbin!

[@nigelfoley7482]

That was absolutely beautiful, no I've never heard anything like it before either...

[@paulflute]

Astonishing mastery of at least 3 serious art forms being displayed simultaneously and effortlessly.. I'm going to watch is back now at a 1/4 speed in the hope of catching a fraction more of the gems she is scattering so liberally..

[@Martineme73]

Jolín...Qué capacidad para memorizar letras!!!! Muy personal!! BUen Camino!!! Suerte infinita!

[@mister1680]

Very nice sound. Might be the second best thing about a Monday after waking up.

[@tiodario]

what a great musician ... All in one..!!!!

[@Eclipzia]

Beautiful

[@anthonygiovanniulibarri]

Very Beautiful

[@craigkeller]

Her poetry is stunning visually!

[@PX917]

Awesome vocal range and guitar skills!!!!!

[@Jollymonnnn]

Why isn’t her stuff on Spotify:(

[@JavierMartinez-rz4vc]

There you have

[@bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

Lyrics are so sweet and poetic

[@iamdiegogaleano]

Wow. Que hermosas poesías hechas canciones. I've never heard something like this before. I loved it.

[@kassandraayalasongs]

Wow! So beautiful!

[@ovaryacted]

She’s incredible.

[@JudithBeckedorf]

Truly amazing.

[@toddleopold2009]

Beauty. Thank you.

[@gerija]

Que ilusión entrar en tiny desk y descubrir una cantautora española tan talentosa 🌠

[@TheRahTamal]

I Love this Voice! 😊 💛

[@BATTIS94]

Pero que bonito suena el catalán. Interesantes melodías y armonías.

[@ninjafury666]

?

[@adamisaac4685]

Morning tears drop in my coffee... Yum.

[@leonardorodrigues6978]

Impressionante! Que sonoridade!!!

[@freakingtv2343]

Her lyrics are incredible.

[@veloopity]

unbelievable

[@luisnieto5214]

Fantástica. Me retrotrae a los mejores tiempos de la canción poesía.

[@Foxywaterable]

This is incredible.

[@IsOrtega]

Wooh ella es increíble ♥️ 👏🏼

[@cesaramor]

Qué sensibilidad🌱👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@BernardoErasoLorea]

Formidable. Eres un maravilloso descubrimiento

[@pngstella]

Whoever writes the bios for these videos has pure talent. A perfect description of her talent, of the video, and just enough of his/her own opinions on her beautifully raw talent.

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Stella Gianadda the name, Bob Boilen, is written just before the text. It’s his desk. He doesn’t write them every time though.

[@hectorcarosso3598]

Fenomenal, Lau!

[@robin_birdie_]

Oh no, don't thank us. Many thanks coming to you from us and me particularly for you lovely singing, lady. These were amazing 15 minutes I just had with your voice and guitar in my room. :)

[@kristina3901]

She is a beautiful poet

[@chrissinger24]

She needs an album already, I searched everywhere and the best I can get are a few features on a jazz trio. She needs a solo album she is a revelation! ¡Ya necesita un álbum!

[@ADiosChicago]

She, makes me feel so very grateful to God. My heart compares her to a gentle breeze whispering on my face. Que bendicion de Dios.

[@cybertea123]

This is magic wow

[@GorgonDrageil]

Unexpected but still amazing

[@mukulu12]

I knew this was going to be amazing, when I clicked on this

[@aldousorwell4577]

Wow, just.... Wow!

[@felipeprado2112]

Increíble!

[@francisleydasilvadias320]

Bonito demais! Impressionante...

[@timandtheocean]

me encantó esta chica tambien. what an artist. beautiful and delicate sounds and lyrics

[@flipflander]

god damn. amazing.

[@marianamaia4932]

Incrível como isto é lindo. Realmente tocante.

[@sbastianbrilyanto4722]

Okay from now on, whenever a foreign artist plays, please always include a translation.

[@9UaYXxB]

So poetic, her impulses seem so much like the best in Brazilian singer-songwriting to me (I've read the notes...and listened to her monologue to the audience, am aware she's a Spaniard , even the way she articulates Spanish evokes Brazil to me).... she reminds me a little of Badi Assad, and that is pretty wonderful

[@wiloayllon]

HERMOSA!

[@joshwi4193]

Magical.

[@JulioCesar2]

Cuantas notas por segundo ! wow!

[@micheckcheck]

Her voice is soooo ASMR

[@pepezoomba]

obrigado Lau

[@mountainlinx]

Love this artist!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂

[@diegosatori5718]

Bello, arte, se nota que es su estilo y no está siguiendo la corriente

[@joshuareynolds302]

Phenomenal

[@richiebuzz]

Magical