Laura Marling: 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.
April 16, 2020 | Bob Boilen -- While many artists have postponed the release of their new music in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura Marling rushed to change the release date of her album from late summer to April. On this Tiny Desk (home) concert, we find her in her living room, with an intimate performance of songs from her just-released record Songs For Our Daughter. The album is an homage to a future generation of women and to Maya Angelou's Letter to My Daughter, a collection of essays addressed to a fictional daughter. The warm, home setting makes room for Laura Marling's extraordinary voice to shine.
SET LIST
"Held Down"
"Strange Girl"
"Song For Our Daughter"

[@TheRevWillNotBeTelevised]

There is something supernatural about Laura Marling.

[@eholmes9612]

She can write and sing about the place between here and tHeRE, ethereal.

[@eholmes9612]

Sorry to say this explicitly, but up until now folk is white soul music, but Laura has dangled a carrot.

[@BonoLightier]

This woman is clearly on another level

[@andydixon2980]

Totally. She's up there.

[@joewalsh3298]

You should see her live!! I have

[@ggthewhale]

Laura marling vs jessica pratt vs grouper Who win

[@rodsmade]

fun fact, people've been saying that exact same thing about Laura since she was 16! she's one of a kind

[@BreakfastIsImportant]

the understatement of 3 years ago

[@mishel13]

Seeing Laura grow, mature and transition into the artist she is today... is truly a pleasure! Thank you NPR for bringing a smile to our faces during these trying times.

[@nprmusic]

Thanks so much for watching! We love sharing this music with you!

[@starcloudhidden8074]

Best I've been exposed too in days Ty

[@william4661]

Laura marling is a great artist and she loves her job. That's a good thing. She's lucky, but so are we all.

[@joewalsh3298]

Wow!!!

[@Lloydy10]

Agree I worked on the advertising campaign for her first ever album and knew she was a special talent back then. Great to see her continue to grow. A natural

[@christurvey9161]

This woman is 30! She sings with experience of a very wise woman... she's incredible!

[@alzobalzo]

when she was a teenager she sang with the insight of a woman in her 40's.. she has always had a haunting infirmity to her writing.. it gives me shivers and has since I first heard her when I was 21. I am glad she won the mercury but I feel she will only be appreciated fully after her time

[@Frank1e.b0i]

What? she looks 40 D:

[@missapodysis]

no she doesn't frank 🙄 ...how do so few men know what women actually look like? lol not everyone is out there contouring and making sure their eye makeup looks snatched lol

[@missapodysis]

​@@alzobalzoyep, came to say this. she's been playing since she was too young to play in bars, and the age is 18

[@azsmoothe]

I feel like I'm in my favorite book store

[@nprmusic]

Which book store is that?

[@airandmist]

@@nprmusic City Lights SF, The Iliad North Hollywood, The Last Bookstore and Skylight in LA. Usually go to the LA Times Book Fair every year. First time I'm missing in years.

[@hayleyb467]

@@nprmusic The Twig & The Red Balloon or Book Stop in San Antonio (early 90's;)

[@joewalsh3298]

Listening to your favorite book!

[@manicpixiedreamdango]

it’s the Paper Hound in Vancouver for me🤍

[@colleenmaith]

she’s literally one of the most amazing songwriters of this generation i hope she tours soon

[@jenniferthompson1067]

When I was 9 i was given her album. 10 years later she is still my favourite

[@zakrowe1301]

Which album was it?

[@matthewlinz4744]

If a year of quarantine has taught me anything, it's that I need to see Laura Marling live before I die. Mark these words: she will, I have no doubt, be remembered as one of the greatest musicians of the early 21st century.

[@stevencornfield6631]

She's great, lucky to have seen her a few times live, every performance unforgettable

[@SuperElmoDelmo]

I remember seeing Laura Marling live in my home city Nantes, France. It must be something like 10 years ago. She was opening for Andrew Bird in a small venue to introduce her first album. She was quite intimidated but she caught my attention instantly. And then a couple of years later, still in my city, she opened for Neil Young in a much bigger place. It was a total surprise as she wasn't announced on the tickets. All by herself, she filled the space with her music in front of people waiting for the loner. I thought "Wow, she raised the game". I'm glad she hasn't stopped since then.

[@rodriogq]

so lovely an account, thanks for sharing! i've known and admired Laura from early on and it warms my heart to see she's still at it, and become a true master!

[@lisacurl6353]

What a great story. And what a great experience you had 10 yrs ago!

[@kath6585]

She’s very good single musician and she is alone no accompanying here, just beautifully executed. So peaceful I could listen to Laura all day long.

[@audreyha1579]

Been on repeat during this quarantine

[@yeknommonkey]

You’d be happy living next door to that Appartment for sure.

[@Obstsalatissimo]

her tuning creativity, the stylistic range of the songs, the controlled microtonal aberrations in her voice, the lyrics - simply one of a kind!

[@vm9956]

whatever mood i'm in, wherever i am, if i listen to laura marling i instantly feel calm and just totally relaxed. i hope that never changes.

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *_Held Down_* 4:18 - *_Strange Girl_* 7:36 - *_Song for Our Daughter_*

[@SOI-wl2lo]

Pentameron strange girl is my new fave 👌 - she is one of my faves, thank you tiny desk ☺️🧡

[@petergartin9668]

Strange girl is so catchy

[@amandafeliciano542]

Strange Girl is giving me intense Lou Reed feels, is it just me?

[@stgkmaclover8285]

You are a Kind man thank you

[@stgkmaclover8285]

@@amandafeliciano542 I really agree same with "a song for our daughter "

[@gingerdude55]

She has always been extraordinary, but this record really demonstrates what a master Laura Marling has become ❤ so glad to know her music

[@1pointt21gW]

extremely well put.

[@owenhu9465]

Arghh, my childhood crush! Hasn't aged a day and still has that same deep, warm and intimate voice that I fell in love with. Love the new album.

[@DalaiLaraLBOE]

NPR always has Perfect Timing, I found her latest album about a week ago and it’s set to be one of my favourite records of the year, one week later: laura marling tiny desk. they UNDERSTAND

[@johnconnor4136]

you probably just like people with names similar to yours

[@ricardoesntcare]

artists perform Tiny Desk shows to promote their work, not too different to the bigger acts that go to shows like Jimmy Kimmel etc

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

her latest album was released a week ago ;) are you familiar with her other records? my favorite is Once I was an Eagle.

[@nprmusic]

So glad we're timing it right. 😊

[@NMechlin24]

ive been waiting YEARS for a Laura Marling tiny desk. Fell in love with her voice when she and Johnny Flynn sang the duet of "The Water" in that back alley

[@rhysthomas9301]

There was one back in 2012 too, should still be on here!

[@NMechlin24]

@@rhysthomas9301 WOW i couldve sworn i've searched for this before. well im clearly an idiot. thanks for the info

[@rhysthomas9301]

@@NMechlin24 No worries! It took me far too long to find it too (also thought I had searched like a billion times)

[@accuser_of_the_brethren7816]

I'm a music snob admittedly however, her first npr tiny desk spot like a longtime ago still gets me when I listen to it. Those 3 songs she did are perfection and her voice really shines

[@xuefeng77]

2:19 This moment when she singing the ending note, she just lean back and looking at somewhere else, this is so chill so cool I don't know how to describe.

[@ahmadfuad9697]

She doesn't seem like singing, but the vibration and all of the precision.... She's truly an exceptional.

[@stgkmaclover8285]

Not to sound dull but that is, infact what singing is.

[@kevinduff3584]

Watching Laura grow as a singer/songwriter is one of life's great rewards she's fabulous she's the UK's number one female singer/songwriter she's an extraordinary talent beautiful voice with a beautiful tone!

[@AdrianJames28]

The world’s number one singer/songwriter, I think you mean

[@arnoldf47]

@@AdrianJames28 I think that's a bit of a stretch, though she is very very good and this is, for me, her best record.

[@pragmatic]

Is she a contralto? I've only heard snippets and her low register is rich and deep to me

[@migi9358]

After all these years, she's still so underrated. Such a incredible artist. I was really lucky to find her music 8 years ago.

[@alexanderlangolf]

Laura is an extraordinary person and musician. It's easily evident during these difficult times.

[@anglodutch8321]

Wonderful shades of Seventies Joni in her voice, in her lyrics and in the guitar tuning / chords...... She has a clean, direct quality that's very appealing.

[@crisclucas5182]

Yes - Joni in her voice. I am loving Laura. What a gem.

[@h.j.crabtree5638]

a flawless voice. I can't believe Americans have slept on this artist for so long.

[@MrGentileg]

Especially as she is English.

[@airandmist]

Not me!

[@keef78]

They didn't, they heard the original the first time around.

[@jamesblack554]

She's not American

[@terminallyinquisitive1731]

She was born in England, lives in London

[@dehope6247]

The best female singer songwriter since Joni Mitchell in my opinion. Beautifully crafted songs with a voice that captivates and soothes. Heartfelt and real can’t ask for any more ! Brilliant

[@davidgray3414]

My new favorite. A poet, a songbird... an angel of curiosity and love. Perfect.

[@guitashamilele]

I spent 8 minutes of this video wondering what type of pick she uses to get that really consistent rhythm. Does not use a pick.

[@abbeychong4163]

I was wondering the same! It almost looks like she's holding one, but I think you're right. Long fingernails, you think?

[@jimmahgee]

Abbey Chong they probably have a certain length to them because she plays fingerstyle so much (though not in this video obviously).

[@louisdebmusic]

When you hold your index finger against your thumb, you use the nail of your index on downstrokes and the nail of your thumb on upstrokes. There's a difference in angle between the two nails, so there's this really natural way of rotating the wrist in the strum, and curvature of the nail, you don't get it with a pick (I think). This is how she's strumming.

[@rstuartcpa]

So many great players forgo the pick. Hurbert Sumlin once said to an interviewer who asked why he didn't use a pick, "...why would I use a single pick when I have five fingers?"

[@1pointt21gW]

As a professional musician who has played over 2500 evenings of music I can assure you that the pick or the finger nails is not how she gets the consistent rhythm. she gets it from intense discipline with constant focused practice and mental hardness all the way through.

[@MonkeyMonkeyD]

This album is extremely beautiful and clean

[@amyayres5569]

One of the many inconveniences suffered was missing seeing her live in Philly at the beginning of the month. Laura is from the UK and hardly ever tours the states, but she was going to be at the Underground at like midnight haha and we were going to break our necks to see her anyway. Well, the only minimal bright sides to her canceling both her US and UK tours is that 1) I've been able to see the inside of her London flat while she posts guitar lessons daily on Instagram. 2) She did an early release of her new album and did a Tiny Desk concert from the comfort of her flat that I get to watch from the comfort of my office chair. Though it would have been lovely to see her live, it beats standing room only in a Philly dive bar, gotta say. I don't typically fan-girl over things, but I love her so much she has been super-inspiring to me over the years.

[@sestra_kat]

Amy Ayres I was really looking forward to seeing her here in the states too. But I had no clue about the guitar lessons that’s really cool!

[@CommuneofBees]

I've had this album on repeat since Friday, but I'm not going to say no to listening to it some more, thanks NPR

[@nprmusic]

Thank you!!

[@stgkmaclover8285]

@@nprmusic I was going to bash on NPR but the "thank you!!!" really sold me.

[@polimana]

i had forgotten how much i love Laura Marling. i forgot how she makes me feel these things

[@wilberburroughs3133]

Joni Mitchell will be happy to see and hear this talent!

[@matthollenberg6426]

I was just thinking she sounds like Joni!

[@natalixoxo4844]

@@matthollenberg6426 Me too. Her voice´s really beautiful.

[@DanielC__]

wilber burroughs I’ve seen so comments about this artist, that artist, having a Joni feel but this one is the most true. The others merely posers, this girl definitely has a Joni feel. She’s good, very good.

[@leftaroundabout]

Probably not too much of a coincidence - she clearly has been strongly influenced by Joni, most evident in the open guitar tunings. Yet I'd say Laura Marling has very much her own sound - a lot more _robust, grounded_ than Joni, I'd call it. (Which is neither better nor worse - it doesn't quite evoke the feeling of ethereal fragility, but has its own special charm and power.)

[@lebonnie1212]

I decided to stop reading comments when I got to the first one mentioned Joni. That didn’t take long.

[@LasVillafrancas]

My God. I didn’t know I needed her voice in my life till I hit play...

[@lolaabineri9902]

Laura Marling!! yes NPR quality

[@chrismoore2971]

That lyric 'no one left to listen to and much left less to say' just blows my mind for some reason... so clever!

[@asunnyday3749]

Whoa I was just having a panic attack at 2:30 in the morning and this was the first thing I clicked on and it made things a little betterrrr

[@italovrl]

🌻

[@ghostie7790]

That's perfect. Sorry about the panic attack. I get those too. :(

[@clerictamer]

I have them at 3 am also, right on the edge, its terrible. Im so glad to hear her voice, she is great. Brings a little relief

[@william4661]

Panic attacks make you feel very alone in that particular moment. Please know that you are not. There's plenty of us self-hating idiots, who feel so guilty about not being "up to par" according to society's standards and expectations of "normality"... Love is real, normality is not. Takes some time though.

[@belihadassa6435]

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[@stevenblakeakahashburns]

The pure tone and phrasing of Laura’s voice with the words she sings always astounds me, no matter how many times I hear it, coupled with the lackadaisical focused guitar playing and altered tunings makes it a true joy to hear. Wishing all a contented confinement

[@xuefeng77]

Steve Blake Hi there, which Laura's album do you think is her best? Thx

[@stevenblakeakahashburns]

Finn Xue there’s many artist that have good and not so good albums, it’s all a matter of opinion but with Laura, her albums are a continuation from the last, it’s an unfolding story that ends where that album ends but continues with a twist and starts with the next.

[@YodasPapa]

@@xuefeng77 For me, either the first or the last are the most accessible. The first is a bit twee (I think people called it new folk) but the most catchy. This last one is very bright and clean compared to the others imo.

[@013chc]

i started listening to her when i was around 13 years old... i'm 19 now seeing her live was one of the best moments of my whole life

[@DANI3LLADAVI3S]

She’s just perfection

[@awsinger1]

She is perfect in every way

[@zoiesmiley3031]

Its ridiculous how talented she is.

[@hpnotiqtymes]

Perfect Tiny Desk to pop into my feed at the start of the work day. Laura's voice is what a sunrise on a clear morning must sound like.

[@dandelion7922]

I LOVE THIS. I discovered Laura because Jack White: she make a single from the blue series of Third Man Records. And, she has been one of my favorite artis since then.

[@CrazyMageMercy]

This high notes at the start just went through my heart. Sounds amazing, didn't hear Laura before unfortunately.

[@ojd8078]

Lucky. You get to hear all her old stuff for the first time, enjoy!

[@artydavi96]

I've just discovered her and I can't believe she's only 30! She definitely has an old soul (in a good way)

[@omarnovela9948]

What a gem! Laura Marling is an underrated singer songwriter, beautiful voice. Wish she would have played London covered in Snow.

[@abaneyone]

Hard not to like this on my first time hearing her.

[@ssanchez7195]

What a beautiful voice. If butterflies could speak, their songs would sound like this. Majestically pure💫

[@Vrailly]

I haven't listened to Laura Marling in a long time, this was a pleasant surprise.

[@cronussaturn8558]

Summer evening, glass of wine, remenising of summer evenings as a kid. Sun going down, running around the estate, playing football until 9pm. Longing to go back in time when things were just care-free and lovely. That's where this music takes me and I have no idea why 😂

[@nickfernandez7563]

3:50 can we just all appreciate how quickly she can tune her strings by ear??? This is incredible. She knows how they should sound individually and all together. Without a tuner or any guitar player tricks

[@manuelapop105]

I love Laura Marling. love her. just love her. I listen to her music a lot while I work.

[@emmarose6590]

Gosh been listening to her since new romantic in college. Years later this album she just put out is just perfect and classic Laura!

[@-Pol-]

Oh my ! Never have I jumped on a KZbin notification so quick.

[@Nick-lh7wi]

I’ll be revisiting this performance many times, for many years to come.

[@Nick-lh7wi]

And I’m back :)

[@nataliegrata8261]

What a lovely surprise for the end-ish of the day. This album is an incredibly well-crafted work that I have been playing on repeat since its release. How wonderful to hear it pared down. Thank you all for this.

[@quieranpatricio]

Oh my god when she blows the hair out of her mouth at 4:32 my heart skipped a beat. What an endearing human being.

[@DrellaDel]

The latest album is probably her best - and an instant classic for sure. So smooth, so much clarity & light, so obvious. Thank you, I've been waiting for such an album for quite some time !

[@tombaron597]

Love the new stuff, Laura...and the living room

[@OffbeatHomesteader]

Ah, LAURA! Your voice is sooooo...perfect. That vibrato. You are a gift.

[@LynnDavidNewton]

I haven't heard any Laura Marling for about three years. This stuff is wonderful. Thank you for bringing this to us.

[@ekadow]

What a wonderful voice, beautifully transcendent, and the words, oh the words......

[@mikeoaks1000]

listening to this amazing human being takes me back to wild camping, sitting round camp fires with friends now passed. thank you.

[@johnconnor4136]

The Mystery Jets' track "Young Love" featuring Laura Marling was the best track of 2008! That's all I know this gal from

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

I hadn't heard that song, but have listened to all of her albums. I would say her two latest albums before this new one, or maybe the 2018 record as LUMP, sounds the most like that song when it comes to instrumentation (otherwise her debut from the same year in terms of singing, of course)

[@enantiodromia]

My favorite song of hers is "Hope In The Air". It still blows me away every time I listen to it.

[@froggirl96]

she has one of the most unique voices and pair that with amazing lyrics and a simple arrangement....perfection 💓

[@emoleary811]

I fell in love with Alas, I Cannot Swim and have been around ever since. The music is so real.

[@solitary_witch]

Omg Ive wanted this for SO LONG

[@-Pol-]

Thanks Laura. Thanks NPR. What a fine start to this lockdown morning; such a treat! I would've paid my last toilet roll to have seen this in person but no need, it really was like being there! It's refreshing to see a performance sometimes with no artful editing and also to see how you miked up the guitar - sounded great! I'm going to go listen again and compare them to the album versions now. Have a great day and stay safe everyone.

[@funwithguitar4756]

This must be the 10th time that I have listened to this today. She is simply amazing!

[@cakredi4132]

*Grammy, please give her one of yours next time.*

[@mattlinz9834]

Laura is my absolute favorite singer. I consider being alive at the same time as her and getting to see her develop as an artist one of the great lucks of my life. Thank you for never phoning it in and always working so hard, Laura.

[@natalixoxo4844]

I haven´t heard anythink that beautiful as this for a long time. She has a realy nice voice. Just love it!

[@isabellacraig1055]

It’s been amazing watching her change so much, she just gets better and better!

[@SadieSativa]

I don't know how many times your music has saved my soul. You're tuly gifted. 💜

[@haideefisher8224]

Absolutely AMAZING! Her lyrics always cut me to my core. I love her so much!

[@karenscott9802]

Laura is just fabulous, could listen to her all day long a true talent, thank you Tiny Desk, thank you Laura

[@windchimerainbow136]

This is the first time I have heard her. Beautiful voice. And so soothing. I could listen for hours.

[@kingsleycracknell7081]

I have been a fan since day one. Laura’s music gets better and better. Genius artist.

[@noemibarkoczi]

this new album is the soundtrack of my quarantine days so far. thank you laura and npr!

[@goob6764]

Laura you’re wonderful!! The album is beautiful, thank you for releasing it early. It’s been a real life saver 😭💕

[@matthewleger5605]

my god, so wonderfully produced. laura marling sounds like an extended moment of clarity

[@FalandoCoisas]

Absolutely love her! I went to a festival lots of years ago and she was opening for the main band. As soon as Laura started playing I totally forgot about where I was and who I was there to see. All this time later, she still got it

[@angeljones2870]

She is just so magic. In love with her music, her lyrics and her voice.

[@VOByRobbins]

Sooooo retro, I'm so going to listen to her latest and dive into her discography--- Thank you ... Again Tiny Desk for introducing me to another great artist.

[@RJWSuffolk]

I listened to this whilst in my UK garden gently rocking in a hammock. Perfect. I’m sure the birds were singing along!

[@tatiianiitas]

Held down makes me cry. I've been listening to her since I was 12, I'm so happy on all the consistency.

[@firstnamelastname6128]

Held Down one of the best songs of 2020. Absolutely incredible. Laura’s voice is divine.

[@MrBrassica]

Yes, good stuff. Strange Girl sounds like a combination of Lou Reed (lyrics) and the guitar style/intro of Ramble On (Led Zeppelin). Excellent all round!

[@magenta6]

Well done Laura - great delivery, lovely vibe and thanks for having us into your living room!

[@jessicasweeney6918]

YES she played all the best tracks from her new album

[@narayaniangulo9456]

I fell in love with her art over the past 3 years. And im really grateful for artist like her

[@desmistico]

This made me so happy! I’ve seen Laura in concert in LA several years ago, made me so happy

[@clivelangston8940]

Laura writes beautiful songs, such melodic guitar playing and a lovely voice. Some of the most sensitive and moving singing,playing and songs I have ever heard. Very talented.

[@feygirrlful]

A new discovery! I was pulled in from the very beginning. I love the simple yet rich warm quality of her voice. My anxiety dialed down quite a bit. Feeling calm and thoughtful... ❤ Love to all ❤️...

[@unjoined]

Just recently discovered you Laura, but I'm already a fan of your work. Thank you for this.

[@mikelim7939]

Fabulous, as always, songs, guitaring, those honey-toned vocals...

[@cloevelez_music]

I’ve listened to Laura marling’s music since I was little with my dad!

[@cosette8321]

Wow, just wow . I've never think i could ever find someone so talented again

[@PersonS6]

YES! I was waiting for this. The last time she was on tiny desk was ages ago. Love her