Alvvays: Tiny Desk Concert

Stephen Thompson | December 15, 2023
Tiny Desk concerts involve challenges and constraints that aren't always immediately apparent: The crowd stands closer than many artists expect, it's truly a working office and not a soundstage, in-ear monitors are a no-no and so on. The guideline that caught Alvvays off-guard came in the form of our limit on reverb and other vocal sweeteners, which get used to glorious effect on 2022's Blue Rev, but are otherwise frowned-upon at the Tiny Desk.
The restriction forced the Toronto band - and recent first-time Grammy nominee - well outside its comfort zone. But it also shined a bright light on the radiant and expressive voice of Molly Rankin while proving, in the spirit of T-Pain, that not every vocal enhancement is there to hide imperfections. Still, Rankin acknowledged the nerves involved in making this show happen: "We've not worked up the courage to do this until today," she said with a chuckle, acknowledging (however indirectly) that we'd been trying to make this Tiny Desk concert happen for ages.
The band needn't have worried, as its magnificent recreation of Blue Rev's billowy, shoegaze-y sound lit up the room. By the time Rankin joked about replacing a retiring Bob Boilen, we were half-inclined to give her the job, just to keep Alvvays from leaving. Can you imagine a more lopsided trade?
SET LIST
"Belinda Says"
"Pressed"
"Very Online Guy"
"Tile By Tile"
MUSICIANS
Molly Rankin: lead vocals, guitar
Alec O'Hanley: guitar, vocals
Kerri MacLellan: keys, vocals
Abbey Blackwell: bass, vocals
Sheridan Riley: drums, vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Stephen Thompson, Bob Boilen
Director: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Editor: Maia Stern
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Elizabeth Gillis, Maia Stern
Audio Assistant: Ted Mebane
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Josh Rogosin, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #alvvays

[@FaustPoon]

I love how they didn’t even bother to go acoustic for this 😂blue rev deserves to be electric and LOUD

[@benbaang6964]

They could have gone the other route and do acoustic versions of old faves like Archie but I dig this! It's for the casual NPR listener to introduce them to this sound.

[@thevelveteenguy]

I was also hoping for acoustic or just a stripped down versions of the songs tooo

[@dilpreetraju4340]

YEAAAAAA

[@aubreyxengland]

not to mention tiny desk sound engineers absolutely crushing it, regardless!

[@blairwilliams136]

​@@aubreyxengland I agree , the mixing is awesome!

[@user-fo2jc4yc4c]

Loudest tiny desk ever not noisy. This is masterpiece.

[@xaqrox]

I was in the room, it was *so quiet*. It's mixed to sound huge but it was incredibly restrained in person.

[@jaredbumbis]

@NoiseGazer_this isnt noise pop

[@aussiethetenor]

Of course it is goofball@@jaredbumbis

[@Guitar_Romantic_L.A.M.F]

That most likely goes to IDLES

[@Hokie5Libra82]

😂 agree! So good!

[@johnenglishIII]

Molly's change in the voice when she goes from singing like an angel to speaking like the cutest muppet is always funny to me.

[@Rrodfer]

Yeah

[@majeeeddd]

So glad they played Tile by Tile, it’s so underrated

[@scninja07]

Tile by Tile is SO good.

[@stec7515]

Molly's voice is angelic - absolutely pure

[@MichellBollinger]

so soothing

[@nickbest105]

Tile By Tile is such an excellent choice for this show. Love this performance so much

[@lifeisdead01]

One of my favorites for sure!

[@BILLbilly01]

The way Molly uses the delay in real-time is very fun to watch. And also thank you for playing Tile by TIle.

[@hemransabity]

does anybody know what box she uses for the delayed vocals?

[@beepbleepboop]

​@@hemransabitylooks like an old deluxe memory man!

[@carlosgarza216]

Tile by tile is my favvvvvv

[@mskcrc]

We’re all here for Tile by Tile. A true standout on what will go down as their best album, and one of the best records of the decade.

[@mskcrc]

@@beepbleepboopRIP to the classic chassis

[@souvlafilms]

00:00 Belinda Says 03:25 Pressed 06:15 Very Online Guy 09:00 Tile By Tile

[@iguessimryan]

Cheers

[@RusstySspoon]

ty

[@petercarroll4723]

pressed is so good!!

[@KellyKerrigan-pv9mf]

no one SLAYS a bridge more than Molly - intoxicating every time

[@electricityscapes]

Tile by Tile is such an ear candy, all of their songs are. Thank you NPR for the best Christmas gift 🫶🎄

[@user-rd9cf2wv5c]

It really was the best Christmas gift 😊

[@mattisner]

Molly's vocals drag behind the beat in the best possible way. It would be so easy to rush the vocals in this style, but her composure really sets the vibe.

[@georgeparnell6026]

Totally agree, I feel like the timing and pocket is a huge part of the wall of sound and how satisfying it is

[@ejparas8492]

I think it’s such confidence and so powerful this way. Like you said, her composure. Helps completely engulf us with the signature sound that is alvvays

[@alexanderperez5636]

Her voice is like a cannon! If she put force behind it it would overpower everything without making their sound heavier. An underrated masterclass in restraint with one's own instrument. A lesser creative would take those pipes and bellow over every instrumental in their path.

[@notavery]

blue rev has become my favorite album ever. i stumbled across it on accident but it still manages to hook me even a year after its release. not all music can do that. powerful stuff

[@mauroglavina1138]

same for me

[@xeigen2]

First time I heard it I thought it was just okay but it's grown on me so much I'm properly addicted to it, actual masterpiece

[@juddmandeluxe_]

@@xeigen2Crazy how common this experience with the album is… I’ve read so many comments saying the same thing and I felt that way too. Was like 7 on my first listen now it’s like a 9

[@kevincollins8620]

​@@xeigen2I didn't like it very much at first. Then I got on a Dinosaur JR kick listening to old stuff again... put this album back on.... it hit Hella hard. I was a fan of the last two albums and has discovered them a year before Blue Rev.

[@yourfavoriteflavor]

It's soo good. I listened to it over and over when it was released and still go back to it.

[@PolyvinylRecords]

"let's get loud" - alvvays on tiny desk

[@Adrian_Franco]

Polyvinyl

[@amosbehavedcalm]

THE WAY MOLLY WAS PROJECTING HER VOCALS FOR THIS ONE!

[@jeffdixon847]

Rankin family represent.

[@ntevault]

Molly understood the assignment

[@bearish_bull]

Dude I cannot get over the first song, such a masterpiece. It literally brings tears to my eyes when she says “going to have this baby, see how it goes, see how it grows” jeez, right in the feels

[@to.gather.collective]

me too i feel it! love this song

[@PabloMartinezDutra]

First time I heard the song I cried in the subway going home from work. I'll never forget that feeling.

[@cb_murdock]

The kexp session is recorded very very well

[@randoH3000]

Wait tables in town. I know word gets aroooound.

[@elyy0345]

And then the key changes 😻

[@johannesmeier5550]

So glad there is finally a great live recording of "Tile by Tile". Love this band so much!

[@RandomNonsense1985]

I can actually hear the harmonies! But I’m not used to seeing Sheridan holding back on the drums.

[@Amandanumnum]

So true lol

[@fatha2092]

Just watched their show in Jakarta, Indonesia and cried during the whole set

[@kj9759]

I love the shoegaze-y whammy on Belinda Says. Blue Rev got me through this last year being unemployed. Thanks for this awesome Tiny Desk, Alvvays and NPR 💙

[@junenye]

Omg same. Still unemployed and connecting so deeply with Easy on Your Own. The lyrics are so deeply relatable

[@jamiecal11]

Blue Rev is sincerely a masterpiece to me. Wish there was more music like it. So grateful we get a tiny desk session after all this time.

[@alexisherlanda7846]

0:00 Belinda Says 2:55 Molly welcomes the audience 3:21 Pressed 5:46 Molly plays with the delay 5:53 Molly tells an story about meeting the NPR staff 6:15 Very Online Guy 8:59 Tile by tile

[@the.DelChannel]

So happy for their success lately!! Even more happy that I got to see them live recently. Totally recommend seeing them.

[@carrisav]

Going to see them live soon 🎉

[@the.DelChannel]

@carrisav have fun!! Honestly worth seeing more than once. Also saw them earlier in 2019!

[@carrisav]

Thank you! Yeah I bet I’ll want to see them again after the show! I hope they’ll play some of their old stuff too

[@adderon7476]

When I saw them in London, Ontario 6 years ago they was bigg. Degrassi bigg.

[@the.DelChannel]

@@adderon7476 my first time seeing them was back in 2019 and then again this month! Kinda surreal to see the growth from that point.

[@wcg66]

Tiny Desk has provided another great recording. Alvvays sounds amazing here. Glad to see them finally make it on here. We're super proud of them here in Canada.

[@blairwilliams136]

Brimming with pride !

[@adderon7476]

Molly bout to do a ft. with BSS

[@rachmanfachri]

I love that Kerri's "bagpipey" synth could be heard loud and clear here

[@geraldcarter2230]

I am so glad he didn’t go acoustic. Their sound is so raw and amazing. This makes it even better. Way to Go! Great performance ❤

[@Rendell05]

Man 2 notes sung and I immediately knew who the Rankin in the group was. Wow incredible performance

[@NSPLG]

i’ve had the fortune of meeting alvvays 3 times, twice after a show and once at a signing. i’d sum them up as the most humble perfectionists, so down to earth and kind. i also spoke to their sound guy and he said every pre show rehearsal they play the songs absolutely perfect each time.

[@dannycalifornia4983]

Alvvays are certified legends. One of the greatest bands ever.

[@MrAndreCoutinho]

Great to have them on Tiny Desk. Their latest album is dreamy. Nice to listen to Molly’s gorgeous voice unfiltered.

[@christianbaker4968]

I love how happy Kerri looks when she's busting out during Tile by Tile

[@angrygoldfish]

That first song was incredibly tight. The band was soooo locked in. Incredibly professional. Haven't given Alvvays proper time. I've listened to a few records, but not enough to know them.

[@jacksargeant7122]

They’re definitely a band that rewards multiple listens! I thought Blue Rev was solid on first listen, but with more and more listens, more songs and moments buried themselves in my brain and now it’s one of my all time favourite albums. I saw them live the other night as well, they are amazing live too!

[@charlottegermain9894]

Highly recommend going through their discography full through a few times and letting them sink in. Also I’ve said before and will say again: this is a band I recommend everyone should see live, fan or not. They put on *that* good of a show that I think anyone would enjoy it

[@alex45041]

And just like the studio version, as soon as Belinda Says finishes i immediately rewind so I can relisten 🔥

[@ValveTec]

this band means so much to me, Molly killed it vocally ❤

[@skylarspeer5824]

Props to whoever mixed this, everything is defined and the vocals/harmonies still shine on top

[@collinsteinz5679]

on my top 10 albums of all-time. tile by tile caused me to levitate the first time i heard it. legends.

[@alexkarassavidis3023]

Easily one of my favorite bands of all time. Awesome performance.

[@415Diesel]

Discovered Alvvays via Spotify during a rough time last Fall, and their music helped me find my old self again. Pressed, Atop a Cake, Bored in Bristol are great songs to walk the hills of my home city. I can't wait to see them live next year.

[@kavinboylah]

Just saw them play last night in Perth, Australia. I adore this band!

[@jacksirettmusic]

Best gig I've seen in Perth this year!

[@ckernest]

My favourite band finally on NPR! This version of Tile by Tile is awesome! Really love it! Amazing performance!

[@TheFlamingSquirrel]

Pressed is my all time favorite Alvvays song, I’m so glad they included it 😊

[@davidg7517]

They are too good. See them live. It'll change your life.

[@ejparas8492]

It’s redundant to say at this point, but you can never reiterate too much. The tiny desk sound engineers are freakin’ insane! “Tile by Tile” was like hearing the song for the first time again. Every instrument has its moment to shine. Gosh, I love the bassline in that song specifically

[@ZachBonnell]

Blue Rev is amazing. East Coast Canada represent!

[@Caperhere]

Isn’t Molly a niece of Jimmy Rankin? Nova Scotia?

[@user-vg4dv1mx5d]

yes, and her dad was John Morris, also of the Rankin Family

[@ChariseSowells]

never heard of them. never forgetting them. love this! 🎉

[@dstinnett07]

Love Kerri's harmony and it would be cool to hear here sing lead.

[@RandomNonsense1985]

I’ve been waiting for a Kerri lead vocal since Antisocialites.

[@StanMcMan]

Put the biggest smile on my face to hear the Belinda intro playing over the opening creds. I know it came out last year, but I've grown so much in 2023 alongside Blue Rev. So grateful for this band

[@edwardbrockhurst4565]

Can’t recommend catching these guys live enough, they’re there for the music and so are we. Get ready to float away for an hour and a half

[@robertpeterson2579]

Masterful. They're even better live

[@creatorofallthings2801]

Top 0.0001 percent of spotify listeners this year. My fav band ❤❤

[@marinas.70]

this tiny desk is the best thing that has ever happened to me and i'm 10 seconds in

[@DrewBaker]

Amazing Band, glad they finally did Tiny Desk, they sound great! ❤ those vocals!

[@Michael-kj7vs]

one of the greatest bands around.

[@jshi3]

Alvvays and Laufey in the same week? Christmas came early! I love seeing my favorite artists getting recognition. 🙌🏾❤

[@thevelveteenguy]

We are blessed 😇

[@8teenOfficial]

ikr

[@christianfranklyn5062]

They played like all my fave songs from Blue Revv. A flawless tiny desk by Alvvays

[@murillontra]

her vocals just get better every new album

[@MILFCORE]

These guys are the absolute best.

[@ClemPlcht]

Super great concert ! And that bass ! 😍

[@marooorooo]

Finally got to see them last week and it was otherworldly. By far one of the best shows I’ve been to in a long time. If you get the chance to see them, go!

[@kevinbatchelor9566]

Blue Rev is definitely my favorite album from 2022 and I still listen to it all the time. It’s a masterpiece.

[@richardmartinez6024]

Alvvays totally shredded the desk! Amazing how their sound stays perfect from live to studio recordings. LOVE this performance!!

[@NSPLG]

alvvays will always bring their wall of sound no matter where

[@ccstreifel]

Can’t wait to see them this year!

[@minime453]

"I won't apologize for something I'm not sorry for" The delivery of that line is stunning

[@JimPoe70]

I also love how when it comes in it seems like a bridge, but then you realize it's more like a coda

[@Robodude_0528]

I agree. I like her variations on the melody when she sings that. Very tasteful musicianship

[@timbo808]

I am hoping one day they'll do a live version of Pressed where they just play the second half of the song for 5 minutes over and over again getting more and more chaotic. It's perfect

[@Kyym-ft1dz]

loove this ❤ will be rewatching for sure

[@tiffami0412]

What a pleasant surprise ❤️

[@souvlafilms]

best contemporary band ✨

[@dobryzc7]

Tile by tile is my favourite song of the album, so beautiful. Please come to Sydney will ya

[@Macariotron]

I hate that I just discovered them last month -- best band I've heard in years.

[@YareYareYaroze]

Love them so much

[@ackies]

I’ve been waiting

[@Shapingus]

My favourite band ever. Love them. An absolute blessing to see them in Toronto this past August.

[@griffinsmith2109]

Such a fantastic group

[@strangeboi2917]

omg im so happy to see them here!!!

[@SolidusScott87]

I had been eagerly waiting for this performance to be uploaded and it didn’t disappoint! Love this band.

[@HypatiaMuse]

Love this band, & love Tiny Desk Concerts ❤️ 💕

[@BENHAYABUSA]

Her voice really has that touch, love it!!

[@TheCrazyyashley]

This album has a hold over my heart. So thankful to have seen these guys live this past year!

[@that_nerd_sp]

this is my fav band💙💙💙💙😭😭😭😭

[@TheBadBuffalo]

So excited to see them in May!

[@cejasmau23]

Really glad you could make this tiny desk happen ❤ Thanks!

[@yangmal33]

LOVE IT!! 😍

[@CortoMalteaser]

Beautiful! Seen them live twice and as usual Molly does not disappoint.

[@Localtripdaddy]

So perfect! So stoked to see them next year in Athens GA!

[@rimbaud0000]

Love the variety of Tiny Desk and always so well recorded

[@user-up2jj6jw4d]

Tile By Tile is one of my favorite songs I listen to every day.

[@farislazee2832]

incredible 😮

[@Too_dumb]

love alvvays ❤️ so glad to see them here this morning. im gonna be seeing them live when they tour so this was exciting !!

[@jellyfishes-png]

can’t wait for their upcoming tour ♥️

[@soymarcoscor]

I really love this band 🤘✨

[@giosworld9229]

Love love Alvvays so happy they are getting more out there. They deserve the recognition.

[@djrangertrucco]

Absolutely incredible

[@etherealfolkboy]

I love this so much man. They sound so good, very happy they did this show

[@dangump8946]

This was great. Glad that I got to see them last summer at Hopscotch and looking forward to seeing them in Charlotte in May. Such a great band!

[@cjjuan3487]

Been waiting for this!!!

[@n_phaneuf]

Such a great performance!

[@andrewmartin520]

So good!!

[@zmongi1]

The best band ever.

[@Azncrzykid00s]

love it!

[@beatriza8769]

meu deuuuuussssss!!!!! mt feliz com esse tiny desk pois sou simplesmente obcecada pelo blue rev. ouvi tanto esse que o alvvays eh meu top1 no spotify

[@sherlockholmes955]

Love them ❤❤❤

[@juhabach2946]

Just watched their live and now this, life can be amazing sometimes.