Night Beds: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Winston Yellen didn't start singing until he was 18 - he's 23 now - but he's already got one of 2013's most arresting new voices. As the singer for the country-rock group Night Beds, Yellen often performs a cappella, with tremendous soul and nuance.
We thought Yellen might show up for this Tiny Desk set by himself - all the better to show off that amazing voice, with maybe just his own guitar as backup. But he opted to go all-in with the full Night Beds touring band, including lap steel and keys. The resulting performance was both lighthearted and deeply affecting.
Fortunately, you still get a chance to hear Yellen's voice in the clear: The group kicked off its four-song set with "Faithful Heights," the a cappella opening track from Night Beds' full-length debut, Country Sleep. The song segues seamlessly to "Ramona," followed by "22," before the set closes with with "Hide From It," an unreleased song.
As Night Beds' members were packing up after their performance, I asked Yellen if he ever has to work on his voice or if he was just born with it - I'd assumed the latter. "I actually just started taking voice lessons," he said. "I knew I could be so much better before heading out for this tour."
It's hard to imagine it sounding any better.
Set List
"Faithful Heights"
"Ramona"
"22"
"Hide From It"
Credits
Producer: Robin Hilton; Editor: Denise DeBelius; Audio engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Lizzie Chen, Denise DeBelius, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo; photo by Marie McGrory/NPR

[@malakkhalifa1366]

Night beds are the perfect solution for loneliness , sadness , if anyone needs comfort , soothing ! They should be famous it's not fair !

[@audioa41]

Malak Khalifa seriously! these guys can take me to another place and soothe me musically like no one else else can!

[@malakkhalifa1366]

It's just sad , that they're not known while others have zero talent are famous !

[@miggy_lan]

been following winston for 8 years now. his music has affected me so deeply i can't overstate it

[@claudettem7245]

This is some of the best music I've heard. I absoultely love night beds and I really can't understand why their music isn't heard everywhere

[@audioa41]

Still one of the best Tiny Desk concerts!

[@emrys9389]

more people should know about them! They're good! That voice!

[@tylerm.9408]

Great second album too! Would love to see him back

[@martinmedina9174]

He has a new album out! It’s amazing

[@timothyboyle9074]

Saw these guys in concert and they were AWESOME. So humble about how talented they are. Really hope they make it big

[@weresorenflyin]

the drummer mouthing along makes me so happy. i love watching people get lost in music

[@aHouseFullofSound]

I have been listening to these guys non stop. So happy when I saw them hit tiny desk concerts.

[@spencermiddleton830]

Why wasnt this group bigger then what it was i stumbled across their music during a bad break up i went through in 2017 and i really love all their tracks man 😢😢

[@OMGlookitsMANDY]

i love night beds with all my heart

[@5k33k]

Since I couldn't find em anywhere else, here are the names of the people performing: Winston Yellen - Acoustic Guitar/Vocals Taylor DeRosa - Drums Juan Salzero - Electric Guitar Caleb Hickman - Keys

[@joweerush2923]

I love NPR music! Always giving me a wide variety of music to enjoy!!!

[@TiaraZhane.]

Oh my goodness, yes. Thanks for featuring them!

[@swizzlerr]

Me and my kids are all obsessed with this Tiny Desk ❤️

[@Joxii4]

Winston, you kill me. Perfect voice, perfect face. ❤

[@gky92]

It's always a joy to see musicians enjoying themselves while playing their music :)

[@FolkmeImfamous]

Can't wait to see these guys live in April! What a voice! Beautiful. Thanks NPR for all these incredible videos!

[@Amosis56370]

Magnifique. Thanks Npr for making me discover amazing bands.

[@layahma]

Great timing. Will be seeing him tonight.

[@Mind.of.Max.]

These guys are outstanding.

[@eebsy]

In an old, world, I know nothing He’s all, he’s nice, we hear the dreams I know again, sons are ...size My soul will not keep To my mother fell in ... forever It’s really...take our time together When the firefly eat my mind, it’s happen All the ... I did dney I’ll follow one she sits inside I’ll follow one, I’ll get in mine.

[@PurrsOfARabbit]

He didn't start singing till he was 18, that's unbelievable. Makes you feel like you are never too old to start something.

[@blashco]

I don't think that's accurate because I have demo tapes he gave me in high school that were before he was 18. Winston's a really cool guy! He had some old project called Winter Boat I think

[@melmel4u]

Amazing

[@lalalalalily]

Oh man, that last high and raspy verse in Ramona

[@arenasvan13]

They are amazing.. Me encanta!! So Talented.

[@candicewines9650]

I love love love these tiny desk concerts! :)

[@jdupnorth]

Man they sound amazing live.

[@39774734]

Absolutely Superb.

[@MadameMarsh1]

so glad to see them on tiny desk! loved them from the first listen via noisetrade :)

[@Craftsman538]

Well done guys just been watching you on my TV and I love the sound you make. Keep up the good work.

[@michaeltcricco6445]

It’s a best album !! Please tour New York area !!

[@CoveredBridgeukulele]

Fantastic!!

[@ColorsOfTheRainbowM]

so wonderful. love it.

[@ryansauders4214]

you guys are great!

[@janeconnelly2483]

Wow...my heart ❤️🥲

[@osuwkuman]

Just too damn good ~

[@MrPacoTacoBurrito]

it as about time they were on!!

[@sanveg93]

so mellow

[@cadeskaleidoscope]

Night Beds: would you do another album please?

[@nishiyamatomoko9304]

the drummer is adorable!

[@Katwearshats]

who the heck would give this a thumbs down????

[@RENONEVADA]

Big up the audio engineer. Sounds fantastic!

[@terrific-bats]

great song !

[@MonkeyOnTheContrary]

It reminds me of Sims 2 'College Rock' music. That's a compliment. Love it!

[@NicolePach]

That drummer is beautiful.

[@rysacota2054]

make music pleaseeeeeeeee:)

[@grnoodleman]

Yep, exactly my thoughts

[@NachoMist]

Sincerely, A drummer

[@jlinhart16]

"Come on Ramona, Make it your mantra, Fuck all they taught chaa"

[@Gnargusto]

Yup, surprised me for sure.

[@imWisco]

slide guitar in the 2nd song is sooo similar to For Emma by Bon Iver. Very cool.

[@samstucky9984]

homeboy in back tryna work

[@RyanHendersonMusic]

Really hope they re-record Hide From It like this

[@TreavorUnion]

Kinda want the keyboardist and electric guitarist to play me to sleep. Winston can hum and tuck me in. Thanks in advance.

[@codyphilpot4736]

Ray Lamontagne-esque? I approve fully.

[@sanveg93]

That was fukin brilliant!

[@musiclover44551]

it's just the way it is. It's called a lap steel. If you notice, he's using a sort of slide. I believe the lap steel is a cousin to the Hawaiian guitar.

[@GradyRosten]

This shit is amazing

[@dakotakinert1994]

I wish singers pronounced there lyrics better, seems like more and more people are just mumbling through songs. Either way I still like these guys just a pet peeve of mine lol

[@OMGlookitsMANDY]

so the keyboardist also duos as a lap steel player? thats amazing

[@wrxman16]

he's also an incredible saxophonist!!!

[@rookrose8174]

Night beds lead singer

[@osuwkuman]

...and that's a good thing :)

[@jobforanashwin]

what kind of Martin he's playing? it looks great and combined my taste of sunburst and martin.

[@MrScubasuit]

What effect is on the guitar that's in the guys lap that makes it sound all dreamy and what not?

[@rvcar]

Insane!! He sounds like ray lamontagne

[@magicianandyoyoer]

Hide From It isn't on Spotify.. Nooooo!

[@coachsteve.]

I think it's some kind of sustain pedal or e-bow.

[@charliemayne2981]

Was I For You Or Cherry Blossoms

[@justineblahblah]

Ramona is my cats name so me gusta.

[@jw_bird]

His voice has a quite beautiful sound. He's not like a lot of other screamy/speaky "singers" nowadays. Hopefully, he'll become a little more vocally sensitive over the years. Nevertheless, a good artist in the making.

[@GradyRosten]

I was thinking Yorke from radio head

[@hotteanosugar]

really?...good job guys :)

[@caitlinkmurphy1]

Ooooohhh....

[@samvargas2868]

Any musicians know what kind of keyboard that is?

[@tierneyheisinger2010]

I miss this sound of theirs. I wish they would go back to this instead of the electronica stuff they’re doing now.

[@TheColors90]

does anyone have any idea what hes singing on 22?

[@davidewing4694]

What kind of Martin is he playing?

[@deehoo40]

yup...killer

[@eebsy]

Aiyo, you can find the lyrics through a search engine, bro.

[@jamisonstiebeling803]

Matt Damon's brother

[@jimmiacoustic]

Anyone know the chords for 'Ramona'?

[@richhb14]

delicious

[@eebsy]

Yo, I never posted this!

[@missruben]

Reminds me of Ryan Adams.

[@jwikle]

his voice reminds me a lot of ryan adams

[@tragically1982]

Ryan Adams looks different.

[@RussBaurichter]

lots of reverb

[@jaredfreeman2534]

Sounds a lot like Ryan Adams

[@itwashimmusic]

"Good but sounds like other good music" is probably the most pretentious thing a person can say on the internet...why in the world would you dog someone for sounding good like someone else who sounds good? foolish...

[@truefitthill9000]

Good, but sounds very similar to Ryan Adams.