Bartees Strange: 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.
Lars Gotrich | February 22, 2021
Bartees Strange and his band are in a basement, surrounded by electrical wiring and DIY sound-proofing, but also green plants that no doubt have names. In Falls Church, Va., the indie rocker is a stone's throw from the much-missed Tiny Desk space in D.C., yet offers a set just as cozy and crammed.
Just a cursory listen of Live Forever, one of NPR Music's 50 Best Albums of 2020, reveals a seeker with several destinations in mind: hip-hop bombast meets sprawling indie-rock riffs and mind-numbing electronic beats. "Sonically it doesn't make sense," Bartees Strange told NPR Music, "but it makes sense because it's me and I think that's like an important part of music - the person."
For his Tiny Desk, Bartees Strange keeps the bluesy rock and roll bravado of "Boomer" and the loping smooveness of "Mustang," stripping down the drum kit to include a sheet music stand as an extra cymbal. In between songs, he shouts out the musicians giving him joy lately: Yves Tumor and The National's Aaron Dessner, whom he calls "the indie rock Michael Jordan."
It's in the back half where Bartees Strange does the switch-up, as "In A Cab" flows seamlessly into "Flagey God." On record, these are louder and noisier songs that explore very different sides of his 20-sided die, but here, they become laid-back jazz club jams, deceptive in their ease, but beautifully ornate as the arrangements open up to his world.
SET LIST
"Boomer"
"Mustang"
"In A Cab"
"Flagey God"
MUSICIANS
Bartees Strange: vocals, guitar
Graham Richman: keys
John Daise: bass
Dan Kleederman: guitar
Carter Zumtobel: drums
CREDITS
Video: Britain Weyant
Audio: Chris Connors, Bartees Strange
Assistant Camera Op: Luke Piotrowski
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Lars Gotrich, Bobby Carter
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Art Director: CJ Riculan
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame, Morgan Noelle Smith
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[@steadyrhythms9571]

that was one of the best tiny desks. absolutely. dude's incredible, and that backing band was so insanely tight.

[@montycontrite9178]

Finally Bartees getting the recognition he deserves, absolutely stellar performance as always!

[@PentameronSV]

0:05 - *Boomer* (3:36) 4:58 - *Mustang* (8:40) 8:44 - *In A Cab* [11:09 / 11:16] - *Flagey God* (13:55) [14:09 - Tiny Desk team]

[@leocurry9563]

Doing gods work!

[@IkariAin]

Ty😊

[@lrs7838]

every day I'm grateful for NPR music and their work to provide so much content during a pandemic, love the at home concerts

[@nprmusic]

Every day we're grateful for people like you that enjoy music discovery like we do! 💛

[@gzahnd]

This isn’t content. This is art. :-)

[@PolyvinylRecords]

real recognize real

[@masonmennenga]

where there is a bartees strange video, there is a polyvinyl comment

[@noearbuds2686]

truly

[@zaneridings3789]

and you're one of the realest PV

[@noobelgamerliker6242]

These versions of the songs are so clean, I even prefer these than the ones on Spotify, especially Flagey god. Superb performance.

[@khahkhahkhahkhah]

Three different people in three different parts of the country (Detroit, Chicago, and Bay Area) have recommended this guy in the past two months. Where TF have I been??

[@likehell5803]

I've listened to this record about 20 times in the last month. This was an amazing performance. I'm rocking out post work, thank you to everyone involved!

[@andrewparker9352]

Bass n drums are like butter. Yes waiter, I would like seconds please. Awesome music.

[@markpfeffer7487]

The dynamics and control on the drums here are naaaaaassssstttttyyyyyy. Such a good touch and magnetic to the pocket. Get me a third plate.

[@markpfeffer7487]

The drop into the chorus in flagey is too dope. Broke my neck.

[@markpfeffer7487]

Guitar run at 11:32 is brutal too. Stank

[@Damnpnoise]

@@sonicgb I think u meant "The whole thing is a bit epic for a tiny desk performance."

[@coreypetree6185]

Y’know, a couple years later, this is still amazing.

[@gzahnd]

I’d never heard you you Bartees, but what a breath of fresh air! Hella dig.

[@teardropluvsparamore]

Yo he’s so dang good! Thankful I found him through Thursday (rock band)

[@neileskins3501]

Mustang has a great 'In Rainbows' feel to it, great session

[@timblighton6216]

Yes! He’s cited Tom York as inspiration and influence.

[@billowbughead]

fell in love with this band a month ago and can't stop listening to their live shows. hope to see them in europe one day... hopefully sooner than in like 10 years lol

[@Rachel-wj1bp]

I saw you featured on Fresh Air about your new album debut and I checked it out and LOVED IT!!! Then I saw you had a tiny desk concert and I had to listen. Incredible!!!! Any of you out there reading this because you like tiny desk, check out his Farm to Table album out now!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@tiffanymitchellsetliff5915]

Thank You Tiny Desk! Another great find!

[@nprmusic]

Thank you for watching!

[@jamhawk75]

Bartees killing it as usual. Love this man's music way too much

[@archetypalmuse]

I'll never be over Strange's vocals

[@AlsMusicRant]

Get it Bartees! So good seeing him getting the NPR opp, and bringing some amazing alt. versions of already amazing songs.

[@jodestolo]

In a Cab to Flagey God might be my fav Tiny Desk transition ever

[@roman-romadin]

Super! Thank you!

[@learyjimmy]

Bartees killing it.

[@SynthsandGuitars]

Great vibes, glad to discover this music!

[@davidbenyehuda7618]

SHALOM FAMILY, the definition of soul music, personified.

[@natalieh5362]

Love so many of the Tiny Desk versions of songs. It would be so great if they offered up cut videos of the individual songs, similar to how KEXP does for their live performances. There are just so many Tiny Desk versions of songs that I'd like to play on repeat.

[@dimes3634]

Same!!

[@jeanyague2754]

love this

[@Daffanitely]

They never miss with these live performances

[@bexterefe1410]

Tiny Desk can do no wrong and this has to be the BEST one yet.

[@PainofBeingDEAD]

I stumbled onto this and OMG I’m blown away. Such perfection! Now I need to get lost in all of the Bartees Strange music. Thank you!

[@LinnieHeard]

Yes! Amazing performance

[@lionbird7176]

Yes! Yes! Refreshing. Amazing. Beautiful. I loved it so much.

[@jajoseph]

A great talent! So proud and excited for your well deserved success!

[@iusesoapp]

I like it. Its different in a good way. You got a fan in Hoodbridge bruh. 👍🏼

[@kierandavoren506]

Breath of Fresh Air 👏👏👏

[@mamieacrie8174]

Wonderful concert! 🌸😀

[@burgesssam]

one of my favourite clicks

[@jackyjo.9559]

Great respect! So good music!

[@zecuriel]

Amazing voice!!

[@knucklevision]

So nice- tight set. BStrange new to me, very cool- and deserves a bigger audience IMHO- this was a big WIN on the fabulous Tiny Desk new music/artist roulette wheel *****

[@leechong5335]

Thank you very much for sharing this great music enjoy the Great tbands thank you very much tiny desk 🌸

[@ViolentSpring]

This dude is special. "The pain of being pure again..."

[@joeyvanderheiden]

The clean versions are totally different and so refreshing! Great stuff :)

[@blackiefitzpatrick6611]

Brilliant Performance!!!

[@td83123]

This sounds absolutely amazing

[@rippedupmagazine]

tiny desk always surprises me with these lovely gems!

[@celllavie1828]

So good! I keep coming back to it. Everyone is locked in, so precise

[@neobenji1138]

Great set, absolutely loved it.

[@erikskagersten1964]

This was sooo good! Just wish it could have been longer! Please god let us have a Strange Tour once travel is possible again

[@TheVcomplex]

My new favorite tiny desk omg I've listen to this 300 times so far on repeat! Great music Tiny desk! I find things I've never even know I lost! 😟

[@wwilcili]

How did I miss this! Love The Strange.

[@credasoundoficial]

good job people respect

[@WildWhiteNacho]

Bartees makes the music I've always wanted to make

[@nookers]

Well. I'm a fan now.

[@karinavmay]

Bartees is THE man

[@sugdaniels]

Big homie making it yo! Respect✊🏾

[@ChinazoRenaAnakweNYU]

Come on Bartees!! 🙌🏾✨ Loved it!!

[@zede77]

That was just mesmerizing.

[@natxotxuri]

Jo que descubrimiento. Que buen cantante eres Bartees, que buen grupo tienes, que buena música haces Zorionak

[@alexdgoldberg]

Dan Kleederman slaying me w that slide guitar 😛 Whole band sounds great!!

[@jennharmon6729]

AMAZING!!!💚💚💚💚💚

[@n.ich.t]

feeling good - nice work - wish you well

[@veganvocalist4782]

lovin this beat 'n timing ;D

[@ivanvosecky9142]

wow ,really like it.

[@romka_ind]

Sound is soooooo goooood omg!

[@ssmitg]

BARTEES!!! Big congrats. So deserving!

[@TheLucasTulio]

So good. Just one thing: Imagine Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes singing the chorus of Boomer and that bridge at the end.

[@LateNightProductionsYT]

this is so good

[@koko86ify]

obsessed with this version of flagey god

[@michaelshenton5760]

Dude such deep grooves. I love it ✌️❤️

[@greenrj18]

One day we shall hear these on black cat or 9:30 speakers...that will be a great day

[@peckbrian2546]

Oh, yes ... it's so good to hear this.

[@jpferrell5219]

This was hot fire from start to finish!

[@Speirbhean]

Ah great stuff lads, fair play. 🙌

[@weirdone8784]

I keep coming back!

[@austingutierrez4570]

The drummers using a music stand as a ride cymbal! Great music

[@mortiman680]

This rocks! Great job

[@gregsred]

This is Gold!

[@anothermj]

I feel seen by this music

[@DonavanHenry]

Genius.

[@boatss6109]

bless this

[@DateTwoRelate]

He's like a big bee flying around pollinating a shitload of music genres. And it's all honey bebe.

[@davidroach2518]

Wow!

[@brettharker9874]

anybody catch the name of the band he recommends at 4:08

[@hedwrads]

Yo this was soooo dope ✊🏽

[@southernicedtea9925]

You just gained about 3500 fans my bro. I play mustang at work over the PA system!!

[@solesust]

This is kinda different... rock on y’all.

[@valerita0]

qué genio Bartees!

[@sunnytaproom]

Reminds me a little of Curtis Harding but with a more Neo-Soul approach

[@ФедорРодионов-ы2ч]

it is a pity that your music is not fair to be heard on soundcloud in Russia due to the sanctions. you are cool) very cool)

[@pjprevot]

Caught this quick...and its a live one

[@genepozniak]

Wow! Great hybrid music! "Indie-Rap"?!

[@NotRealMusicRyan]

Is he rapping though?

[@ianrohrback1273]

Its just music, man

[@genepozniak]

@@NotRealMusicRyan Well, the first song he was, but not so much after. :-)

[@MemoryMusicLabel]

king!

[@TheNoise]

legend

[@snowstrobe]

'Warning, this video contains explicit language.' Clicks like.

[@KurtMcAllister42]

shoutout to the drummer playing a music stand as a cymbal

[@domdomdomdomdomdomd]

you should get nnamdi ogbonnaya on here

[@RoshDroz]

4:05 what was the band/record name he mentioned? I can't quite make it out Edit: Nvm, got it. It's Yves Tumor, called out the track Heaven for a Tortured Mind

[@henriquegerardusvanderlaan2508]

Really love the performance! But I got disappointed with the same songs in Spotify. That's why I only listen Bartees Strange on KZbin

[@ferbolillo]

Chingón! 👌🏻😌