Rubblebucket: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

[@cathrynhofmann8322]

You guys NEED to have them come back. They’ve gotten so much better and weirder in the most wonderful way over the last 5 years, and they deserve to be seen again. I saw them live a few weeks ago, and while this TinyDesk performance is good, it’s just a fraction of the level they’re at now. I desperately want to see Kalmia whipping out her saxophone behind the TinyDesk, in between her amazing vocals on Donna. Their latest album (Sun Machine) is fabulous and they’ve grown so much into their sound. I dunno if anyone at NPR Music ever reads these comments, but I hope you guys will consider having them back at some point.

[@jessicasteiner2720]

Agreed kickass band. Unfortunately I don’t think they read us. I made a tiny desk for bob and I can’t get a reply

[@galexxy6719]

They’re performing in my hometown of turners falls ma in august!!

[@richardhicks3504]

@@galexxy6719 twin falls

[@leslieferguson4022]

I just happened across this right now and I instantly love it!

[@teapeaa]

Really made me curious to check out a band that ive never heard until now!

[@claudiavoss8269]

This girl battled cancer yet has the sweetest, most passionate energy. Brought a huge smile to my face!

[@jas_bataille]

As someome who battled cancer, you don’t battle it with negative energy. I am yet to find anyone with a negative outlook to life who went through this type of shit.

[@tymirra8769]

Cal took her cancer like a champion! She and I lied in the grass and made shapes of clouds at her sister's wedding and she was only full of grace.

[@WGBHMusic]

Love hearing acoustic versions of these songs. Do yourself a favor and go see this band live. Our whole crew had such a blast capturing their show in Boston. Really fun band & fun show

[@Ultrevolous]

I am madly in love with the singer & this band. You can believe it or not but this tiny desk set got me through a really hard time in my life. I got like Talking Heads vibes, loved the energy. Top 5 tiny desks.

[@cardboardbox476]

Of all the tiny desk performances this is one of my favorites. The vocals are smart and haunting, and the same can be said for the instrumentals. Incredible energy. A heavyweight of an indie gem

[@golden_rage5913]

My favorite tiny desk :) just captures that rubblebucket magic so wonderfully. Hearing/seeing Kal belt it out gives me chills every time!

[@SgtMantis]

I love when a vocalist get so in to their music. The same with Sylvan Esso, wonderful goofy facial expressions.

[@jeremyguthrie926]

SgtMan

[@chrismofer]

frankie cosmos too

[@mariejohanna2166]

Man, i love that dude. Same with her tho. Some might would say that she doesn't have the Best voice or technic or sum. I don't know that much bout singing. But I love the emotians she expresses and how she makes it sound. Also the guitarist has awesome hair.

[@JavelinHands]

Karen O, anyone?

[@The_SherSher]

Agreed! The voice is an instrument as well and gotta do what it takes to get the sound intended and felt as the performer... it just happens to have the human visual associated with it compared to inanimate object instruments that we also put our humanity into when playing. Make sense? Lol

[@foreverdancebaby]

Her voice and authenticity brings real tears to my eyes. What an amazing creative group!

[@gregcompher8241]

Yes ! Me too... she is such a beautiful soul

[@FossilFishy]

This is one that I keep coming back to. A goodly portion of the 185,620 current views are me alone. Such joy! This performance never fails to make me feel alive.

[@bandwagonDan]

+Fossil Fishy Dude.

[@charliedrummond5356]

I'm right with you. Parts of the first two particularly have lodged themselves close to my heart.

[@micky_knuckles]

I keep coming back too

[@housex6267]

Same here. On the daily.

[@agingerbeard]

I've been watching this about 5 times a day for 4 days, every time I stop for coffee or to cook or clean, this set lights a fire in me, bigtime.

[@SquareNoggin]

Yeah, it's kinda weird. I was humming Carousel Ride and On The Ground to myself as I was trying to fall asleep last night, and I had only heard this set once. It's really gotten into my head and heart pretty quickly.

[@sendit8721]

Still drop by and listen to this song every now and then !! Amazing vocals , and the way she gets into it !!

[@sendit8721]

Boom 🤯

[@rowzee.]

What a funky, fun, brilliantly quirky and unique sound. The first song I've heard before and have always enjoyed..honestly such a refreshing, escapist treat.

[@Aldragor101]

Don't know what people aren't liking about the lead vocalist. I find her voice really refreshing. Too many female artists sound the same.

[@VampireWeekendWills]

you're right, she has a great voice. i just get the impression from her actions when she's performing that she believes she's the cornerstone of something far more edgy than the reality of her sound. I guess musicians might encounter a huge ego trip if they're caught by the limelight.

[@STHanson08]

DooDooBerriez "I really like this band and its attitude - party-friendly but with a serious side, perhaps informed by Traver's recent battle with cancer ... " idk she seems pretty badass to me. I agree that she's selling something, in that anybody that does anything is selling something...still she doesn't seem particularly egotistical...maybe a little pretentious but hey. got some crazy eyes though....

[@abeclutch-crawford9029]

Good voice? Really?

[@zizzersoccer]

Abe Clutch-Crawford This type of space is probably the least conducive to their sound, and she can't hit notes the way she would in a loud, large setting. Sounds much better that way, very similar to how she sounds in the studio.. you may not be into it either way, but look into it.

[@MajicFreeman]

yeah also this is considered an "acoustic" set for rubblebucket! Their electric setups require a shit ton more room. And to be honest they can switch from electric and acoustic REALLY well.

[@josh11915yo]

NPR has shown me some awesome music and I'm so appreciative of it!

[@bones461]

Can’t believe this video has almost 1 million views I’ve loved Rubblebucket for so long I’m glad their finally getting some recognition

[@jessebackus3701]

This is awesome. She is perfectly odd. Brass is beautiful. More of this.

[@ashantithurman-lewis111]

she's super sweet! they are also my number one band to see live! so much fun. saw them twice last year and will see them every time they return to Chicago!

[@wkw4095]

My daughter was listening to Rubblebucket after seeing them while in College, I loved it...still do for years now. They have an awesome sound full and bright, with tons of dimension and lot's of animation you can see just listening to it. I've sailed my boat with Rubblebucket blasting. I love them, I'm sitting here with a stupid smile ;)

[@Eighthplanetglass]

I'd call you Shackleton 😁

[@marmaladevenus3230]

I have watched/listened to this live setlist more than any other trio of songs in my entire life.

[@Drunkraft]

This performance is so underrated. They should have slapped these recordings on their album, they were brilliant

[@maraflute]

These acoustic versions are by far much better than the originals. Brilliant

[@stanrich333]

Love this band. Great to hear the acoustic version of these songs. Who cares what they wear or how she expresses herself? It's their music and they can perform it anyway they like. I don't see any of you standing behind that desk!

[@TaeminnieReads]

All is a really cool chick. Met her when she came to Dallas last year and the band was awesome. Greatest concert ever!

[@markmcgwincomedy]

Whispering Marie Kal (Kalmia)...and yes, she's awesome :)

[@Fooludontknowme]

Whispering Marie check out St. Paul and the Broken bones live, they're pretty damn fun too

[@sharonroerty7857]

I had the pleasure of seeing Rubblebucket in Asbury Park, NJ this summer. They are awesome! Great sound, great vocals, tight band that puts on a really entertaining show.

[@maraflute]

By far, much better than the original versions. Brass due are key in the performance. Brilliant

[@FluffersTheFirst]

Damn that was awesome. Don't know why people aren't liking the lead singer, I think she's great at the front of this band, and I love the horns and flutes and everything. The songs are nice, and they also sound super tight, something you don't get as much from bands nowadays

[@terezanemejcova4967]

I cant even tell how many times I´ve sat before my computer and silently jammed with those amazing people. But this time I just tried to sing along with them and maan, it´s much better to sing and jamm with them loudly!

[@yoon4063]

Bring Rubblebucket BACK on tiny desk concert!

[@electriceyebabe715]

Takin another spin on the rubblebucket ride... This band is gettin me through this pandemic and new mommy times like I didn’t know I needed it. Only just discovered them in 2020. Don’t @me. I don’t think it would’ve connected the way it did if things were “normal” rn

[@5k33k]

Since it isn't already listed in the video, the names of the performers are: Kalmia Traver - Vocals/Keys Alex Troth - Trumpet/Flute David Cole - Drums Adam Dotson - Trombone/Flute Daniel McDowell - Bass Ian Hersey - Guitar

[@LvilleDude]

Correction: it's Alex Toth (not Troth)

[@heatherlyn3375]

I love her white and gold sweater.

[@tbrowne19]

Heather Lyn you must be a Yanny gal

[@nicholaspalacio9672]

It’s been four years since this comment and I still get it. People who see this video in another four years will probably have no fucking idea what this means and I love it haha

[@loganplourde886]

Nicholas Palacio it is elder knowledge

[@abdulmunye4687]

Did not age well

[@elbee1771]

@@abdulmunye4687 actually it was hilarious

[@DrPepper776]

its amazing what she does with her mount to get that specific sound, truly an expert singer when your willing to go that far to get your unique sound.

[@a1m05tg0n3]

+DrPepper776 It reminds me of how Bjork manipulates her mouth to get different feels out.

[@rb7297]

Ben Gibbard does it in the Death Cab one, and probably his solo one. It's amazing.

[@FraculaArctica]

She plays trumpet and brass and saxophone perfect too.

[@barefootnorthvideos3118]

Seeing them for the 4th-5th time on October. They're forever growing and adding to their crazy beautiful music. Y'all really need to have them back

[@MonkeyOnTheContrary]

So feel-good! Love her personality and the positive energy

[@itsmeitsme7708]

I LOVE youz guyz. I mean really LOVE!

[@3riverclipper853]

She is amazing. She has been through a lot and the music is a representation of the journey from a-z. Some people don’t understand art. You leave it all out there and you don’t apologize for it. Don’t stop ever. Twin power.

[@reegidarcati]

They are so comfortable as a group and as individual musicians. I admire their obvious talent endlessly.

[@Momointvland]

I enjoyed this so much more than the ablum. You can really hear all the little nuances with the instruments. The album is just over saturated with the keyboards soaking up everything. Her voice shines so well in this NPR taping. This video is sooo gooood!!!!

[@jcims]

Tiny Desk consistently has amazing production.

[@vivancoelho9902]

Man. The NPR recordings for so many of these bands are just insane. And invariably better than their own official audio releases. That being said, I wish the various tracks on this set list were split across separate videos, especially carousel ride :D

[@SteamOverHolland]

Case in point: The Arcs. The album is... ok. The NPR video is epic

[@melissaramirez2569]

Vivan Coelho They're just as good live

[@koont666]

This band is one of the best bands I've heard in the past ten years I've collected vinyls from the.age of 7 I'm 48 this is fresh if you can't see that maybe your blind and I love the way the whole band are one great emotion great music nothing as good as this out there if I was selfish IDE hope the didn't break through but instead I'm calling my friends to tell em I missed them at Glastonbury last year but hope they do some smaller gigs in the uk

[@shineinouzen7412]

I'm 22. I JUST found out about them through one of the Nintendo Switch ads lol. No doubt their music is amazing! I really love If U C My enemies.

[@abnerocks1]

That double flute doe! A million bonus points for musicians who can do both brass and wind!! ...AND they sing!

[@shockingguy]

Man I miss these guys, saw them Wayback when they came to Cleveland many times as rubblebucket orchestra I’m very happy to have caught this and be reunited with them they bring me much joy❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@stepitupandgo67]

they're cool!!..!! it's gotta be a nerve rattling gig...with the legends that have done tiny desk..and the tiny proximity....they did great....and ....if their clothes bother you, there is something wrong with the way you listen to music....

[@SquareNoggin]

+Evan Davidson Folks are bothered by their clothes? Damn. Certainly not my style, but that's a pretty trendy dress style they have, it looks good. Her sweater is awesome.

[@beaux7130]

Their Clothes Rock It Right!

[@ceasarrex2301]

This band was my first concert. I love them so much. I bought their new album on vinyl and have listened to it every day for a month. They are wonderful and I hope they never stop making music.

[@Mellyjellly]

I recently saw them at the Adirondack independent music festival this past weekend and wow! They definitely stole the show. I’m definitely a new fan, the lead singer held a signing after the show and I was able to get a signed vinyl of their new album. Top 10 live bands I’ve been for sure ❤

[@RobDunsford]

That first song. My goose-bumps have goose-bumps! x

[@InstrumentManiac]

I don't know why certain people are being such asses. They have a wonderful sound and the lead vocalist has a nice expressive quality to her voice. Y'all need to stay in your lane and just enjoy shit sometimes without having to make degrading baseless remarks.

[@che542]

Haters are always going to hate.

[@poztpwned]

And I was your 37th like, InstrumentManiac, thanks for telling it HOW IT IS! I dig the quirkiness of the lead vocalist, gives them character. That 3rd tune they played - AWESOME! Rubblebucket 4lyfe

[@ItsBenbetter]

Amen!

[@barefootnorthphoto7055]

InstrumentManiac true so very true

[@TRIPP5_Shurikens]

***** fuck you.

[@kevinsilvers1695]

I saw Rubblebucket a few years ago at Burning Can. They Rocked the place !! So much energy and a great sound! Love the use of sax ❣️❣️

[@newcince]

God I love these guys!!!!❤

[@runsk88]

Stellar performance. Perfect pitch!

[@STBiddle]

Brilliant, her voice has so much character! Loved it!

[@SamChaneyProductions]

I've always been super in love with Kalmia (in the manner of just loving her spirit and what she contributes to the world) ever since I first saw them. I have a sneaking suspicion she is at least a partially enlightened being.

[@tymirra8769]

oh she is. My ex wife grew up next door to her and was her sisters best friend. Ive had the privilege to spend time with Cal and she is like no one else. She is a gift from God with her energy.

[@AcornFox]

I loved this band so much. Then I saw them live. Holy shit. One of the best live performances I’ve ever seen. Energy through the roof. Their compositions are so fun. They are one of those artists that takes “playing” music to heart.

[@DaveCober]

This is the kind of band that's best seen live. I saw them in Chicago and was absolutely blown away. The trumpet player played while crowdsurfing.

[@lenderpro]

Sensational, refreshing breeze of new music. Horns, percussion and bass are perfect! Kalmia is amazing blend of novel vocals and theatrical spice. These guys are sweet eye candy too. Wow! (Get Kalmia in a studio, please get her physically closer to the mic and they'll go platinum)

[@shadley95]

Currently obsessing over them now. Thanks, NPR.

[@melissaramirez2569]

This band is great. I got to hear them in Sacramento a few weeks ago and they are fantastic live. Fun fun !

[@kamiel79]

excellent performance! NPR tiny desk is such a great place to discover new music, THANKS BOB BOILEN!

[@Korb-Bee]

The quality and authenticity of their sound and the passion of the vocalist is what I live for:)

[@keeleyharris1451]

It's crazy cuz when I found this band initially I fell in love with with the first album. Hearing their new stuff... the contrast is amazing! I think their sound is refreshing and honest. Seriously love these guys.

[@jayefoe3284]

Love these guys. Great musicians, great song-writers and all round great band. Would love to see them live one day. Even better would be to support them....ha! Have a good day folks!

[@1981AdamGs]

I can always rely on NPR to supply me with music I've never heard before. Thank you.

[@inklipMedia]

You can really hear the breath power of a baritone sax player in her vocals. Her voice is not polished like a conventionally virtuosic classical instrument, but like all great pop vocalists, Kalia is finding the unique modes of her own body and soul in a way that inspires listeners.

[@Kelleysmith402]

I like this bold eclectic group. Rather cool to be different. Way to go! Music is universal and opens so many doors that if one person may dislike it, one may like it. Either way, I'm one who likes it.

[@gabrielleroshelli]

saw rubblebucket about 4 or 5 years ago and it’s still one of the best concerts i’ve seen to this day. would love to see them again!!

[@crzywitboy3]

Wow that was amazing, I loved it. I like the singer and I like the very talented horn/flute players as well as the whole band. Just felt a good vibe from them in general. But maybe that's just me...

[@atelierbentoche]

c'est la deuxième fois que j'écoute ce groupe et c'est toujours un miracle de fraicheur

[@codyprivett497]

These Tiny Desk Concerts have really helped me find some great bands!

[@mclovin583]

OMG they're adorable in every respect.

[@gandalfgreenhands]

It is so hard to describe how much I love this, so I won't . I'm Lucky to live while this was made.

[@michaelleggett2457]

Found you beautiful people yeeears ago... Utica NY, Bonnaroo, here and there! And in July I finally run back into you again at Lincoln Farms NY! Can not wait! Stay epic!

[@tjerktiman9684]

More of this! Why only 13 minutes... (definitely a very cherish-able 13 min!). thanks NPR (for ALL tiny desks - true life savers), but especially for this one!

[@lasagnahog7695]

New favorite tiny desk, didn't want it to end

[@roostercogburn9923]

Can't believe how many music snobs out there! Love Rubblebucket. Going to listen to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! now. Bye all.

[@MrTheham23]

I can listen to all day! Do your thing folks! Y'all are the captain on this ride.

[@dalegypsy4309]

Was just thinking how great this album is and found it at a local goodwill for 2.99. Score..love ya rublebucket

[@judycrosher4788]

Just found tiny desk, by chance - what a lovely idea. This is the closest thing to a live performance I've seen. The sound is wonderful.

[@ekka86]

2 min in I laughed smiled and fell in love.

[@ryanallard9999]

Love this band!!! Saw them in Asheville months ago and the Leaf Festival a couple years ago. Great creativity and wonderful live band show. MUST SEE. :)

[@joedirt8843]

Incredible talent! The brass work floors me. You guys have so much depth! Seeing ya in June at the Hall. Lets shake hands. and share a moment.

[@skittlebug101]

I am absolutely loving their sound. It's adorably refreshing! Two bajillion thumbs up!

[@IzaNinJah]

I listen to this almost everyday! One of the best tiny desk performances, and such a fun group!

[@Devo6500]

Awesome, all the musicians blend with each other, very cohesive and refreshing.

[@MrOsj14]

i love seeing a band that enjoys playing together

[@thebrooklyngardenclub225]

Truly under rated band . These guys write great tunes independently and together.

[@vampiregumball]

The more I listen the more I fall in love with this music.

[@SquareNoggin]

"Trotting through life with occasional wins" Something I really like about that line.

[@topdawg3359]

Geometry is on the radio. VERY interesting band. Music for scientists

[@kyleoke9193]

Met these guys on a plane lol glade I did!

[@galadis123]

Im absolutely enamored at the way she gets into her singing!

[@SodapopData1997]

Pure beauty and passion; Rubblebucket, thank you and much love always

[@Smongo412]

I didn't like this at first but it's really grown on me and now I'm really feelin' it

[@indigogirl17]

I love this group's joy and energy..and i am all about any group that uses brasses

[@nealsmith6035]

This band are wonderful I look forward to being able to catch them live sometime in the UK !!

[@Wonder882]

I love this band! I've returned to this video just to hear these acoustic versions while I work. I get so inspired! :D

[@twood023]

Love this. The arrangements are really surprising and exciting!

[@froggomcfroggin9392]

i love seeing people that feel their own music as they play it

[@americanacollectibles3068]

Just heard you guys for the first time today! Love Love Love!!!

[@TheObviousCircus]

Catching up with the TD series today. So much joy in music!

[@amandawallace2197]

the carousel ride and the sound of erasing make me want to cry... but it a good way.. i love these songs xx