Wednesday: Tiny Desk Concert

Hazel Cills | March 8, 2024
"I learned how to play guitar watching Tiny Desk concerts," Wednesday's lead singer Karly Hartzman says in the band's performance. Specifically, she says, by way of Mitski's scream-filled 2015 set. "The chords to these songs are pretty easy, if you want to mirror 'em."
The Asheville, N.C., rock band is constantly on the road, supporting Rat Saw God, which made NPR's best albums of 2023. But Wednesday made time to stop by NPR headquarters to play the Desk, toning down its noisy, country-influenced sound in a quieter setting. The rollicking opener "Chosen to Deserve" gets a pep in its step that begged for some in-office line dancing - nobody partook - before playing the quiet, romantic "Formula One" and ending with "Bath County."
And now, we count down to see which artist will cite Wednesday's performance as how they learned guitar.
SET LIST
"Chosen to Deserve"
"Formula One"
"Bath County"
MUSICIANS
Karly Hartzman: lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Alan Miller: drums
Xandy Chelmis: pedal steel, lap steel
MJ Lenderman: guitar, vocals
Ethan Baechtold: bass, piano
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Hazel Cills
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: David Greenburg
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Michael Zamora
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #wednesday

[@nprmusic]

WIN A TRIP TO SEE A TINY DESK CONCERT! Enter here for your chance to win by supporting the content you love: bit.ly/tiny-desk-giveaway (enter before 3/28/24 at 11:59pm PT!) No purchase or donation required for entry. Void where otherwise restricted or prohibited by law. Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the 50 us states, D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec) to enter. Entry deadline is March 28, 2024 at 11:59:59pm pt. Odds depend on the number of entries received. ARV of total prize: $2,300. Max. 10,000 entries per person. Official rules, including an alternative free method of entry, can be found at propeller.La/support/1936/official-rules.

[@roentgen822]

Rules say the winner can choose which show to go to between June and August 2024. Would be nice to know a list of scheduled artists between then.

[@kevinchristopher1443]

MJ needs to come back for his own tiny desk now!

[@pamzoh1230]

Yes!!

[@yoavcohen2218]

And join in on a new Waxahatchee tiny desk.

[@deathchips926]

I love how Jake and Karly write love songs to each other within their own respective projects lol. It's adorable

[@gpotter14able]

what is jakes project and who Is Jake lol

[@holgerlooseends]

@@gpotter14able, Jake is the lead guitarist on the right. He has a great project called MJ Lenderman.

[@deathchips926]

lol so Jake is the guitarist on the right. He has his own fantastic project under the name "MJ Lenderman". @@gpotter14able

[@tycrane2539]

I met these dudes back in 2020. They lit some fireworks off after their set in Indy and chatted with us hooligans. Glad they are still jamming and have blown up quite a bit

[@jeremie8351]

Fantastic pedal steel guitar

[@luke144]

100% absolutely beautiful

[@artaaangels]

So weird hearing these songs so laid back haha. great band!

[@ckallaher]

On a friend’s recommendation last summer I was listening to Rat Saw God while out walking the dog at night and had kind of an out of body experience during Chosen to Deserve. A group of us saw them at the Sinclair in Cambridge a little while later. They brought it, for sure. Love seeing them get some real attention and love seeing them in the Tiny Desk. Thank you!

[@Corners___]

sososo happy to see this concert finally released!!!! So proud of Karly for making it full circle!!!!!! Happy international women's day!!!!

[@davidheinrich4108]

This band is just the best. Was lucky enough to see them in Raleigh on this tour when I was in town for a few days and it was one of my favorite shows I’ve seen :)

[@mattygregmusic]

Been bumping Rat Saw God for months, so awesome to see them here too

[@javen69]

I remember finding "I was trying to describe you to someone" a few years back. been hooked on Wednesday since. glad they have made it this far!

[@nic-o-lie7709]

One of my favorite bands out. Can’t wait to see y’all in 2 months

[@gabrielleabella9806]

Ahh the iconic Mitski tiny desk mention!

[@thesuncollective1475]

Did she say they got high on Benadryl?..Ok I'm in...this is bluegrass ? Its got soul.

[@BoiledPeanut289]

Not bluegrass

[@BluesmaNeedham]

pedal steel player is crushing it

[@TheFunMonster]

the twangier takes on these songs sound soooo good

[@m-tetsuo]

Wednesday!? I didn't know that they were this big. Bull Believer was my favorite song of 2022

[@stillsbydrey]

She has such a distinct voice, hearing her sing in any song I instantly think, that's Wednesday hahaha

[@RobertSlover]

man at least try and sing or take a lesson or two or dont sing at all....

[@mocapcow2933]

@@RobertSloversome of the best musicians of all time have imperfections with their singing. Some of the best technical singers are some of the most hated artists. So idk

[@losttango]

Reminds me a little of Mary Margaret O'Hara. Although Mary Margaret is considerably better 🤷.

[@willclo]

the chapter titles are wrong. first song is called "chosen to deserve", second song is called "formula one", third song is called "bath county"

[@allyson--]

Idk why it seems like they're so inconsistent with having chapters set up on tiny desk videos

[@lolarose6282]

NORTH CAROLINA ROCK FOREVERRRR!!!❤❤❤

[@henryhayth3303]

Fantastic!!! I've got to see these guys again next time they swing by NYC!!!

[@JackCerro]

The guitarist, M.J. Lenderman, is a fine singer songwriter in his own right. Think... Kurt Vile meets Gram Parsons.

[@johnminoia7153]

You’re right ! Love Boat Songs !

[@user-kb3ze6mj5r]

meets Neil Young!

[@kevinchristopher1443]

@@melindalemmon2149 kurt vile not kurt weil lol

[@Headytopper125]

Also Jason Molina and Neil Young… he’s the real deal.

[@Umbra_Witcher]

I had to miss these guys in ABQ, bc I was in Nashville at the time they came. Nice to see them pop up here!!

[@lovesosaJDPON]

aye shoutout the drummer with the hotline tnt shirt

[@jgc02]

they just finished a tour with hotline tnt :)

[@DarkShogun16]

Dont usually listen to this type of music but something attracts me to this band and music. Sounds amazing on my xm4 headphones.

[@jeff0120]

Same here 😊

[@wizardcud]

They do have a strange allure to them. And their albums get better and better the more you listen to them. Great in the xm4’s

[@bubbafug00gle51]

I can walk on water, I can raise the dead... every daughter of God has a little hard luck sometimes? I didn't expect a random Loudon Wainwright paraphrase, but always happy to be reminded of him

[@jamesmonahan1870]

Wonderful concert.😊

[@yona4121]

Wow!! Randomly stumbled upon this video- found a new group to listen to 😊

[@marilyngarcia1519]

Been waiting for this for weeeeeks

[@bubblegrunge.]

Easily one of my favorite bands at the moment ❤

[@G.Orwell1984]

Muy muy muy buenos, gracias.

[@boonewallace]

gang crushed this. blue ridge mountains represent

[@glc0stanza]

5 days late but shout out to Karly. .Can't wait to see y'all in Portland again in May!

[@katierowboat]

One of the best Tiny Desks I've seen in a long while. Gorgeous arrangement!

[@MtnDewPoptart]

I ❤ Wednesday

[@rnor3146]

Hi....💙 What an inspiring voice and presence..... Many thanks for the waves.💙

[@RobertSlover]

man at least try and sing or take a lesson or two or dont sing at all....

[@rnor3146]

@@RobertSlover Hi.... what do you mean? That I should buy some ears because you do not like what we ear in these video? Music is about what we feel... if you do not feel anything for what we ear in the video, have a great continuation! And if you want me to take lessons to sing, I do lot need anything.... I won't sing for everyone, so I do not have problems.... And have a fine continuation anyway. 😉👍👌

[@RobertSlover]

@@rnor3146 ?

[@CarrotGarlic]

Lovely!!!!

[@thursdaynext7481]

Just lovely! 🙂

[@madelinel4118]

love this!!!!!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@gordonrogers2664]

I hadn't noticed the Bonnie Prince Billy vibe until this tiny desk. Great performance

[@DonGastonOjeda]

Love the sound , love the tone of the lead singer.

[@holliesheet3182]

Whoo Whee! Y'all, Tell It with your talented music and sick lit wit!

[@sph33_]

Love to see a band that looks like they are just having the best time. Also loved the shuffle thing they did for the first song.

[@davidgomes8302]

Beautiful

[@sebastianpeskind6780]

Exactly what I needed

[@Gotnothingbettertodo.]

those vocal flips be killin me!! Shows her talent right there

[@RobertSlover]

man at least try and sing or take a lesson or two or dont sing at all....

[@tr4xh]

muito da hora!!

[@danielapohretska]

bath county slay

[@loisli]

I came across the channel npr music by chance and I really like its style🎻🎧

[@johnnymancspice]

Oh their engineers are the unsung heroes. Enjoy the back catalogue

[@mocapcow2933]

@@johnnymancspicewdym unsung. I agree, they are amazing, but they are consistently one of the most talked about parts of Tiny Desk

[@johnnymancspice]

@@mocapcow2933 tru dat

[@PurplePussy220]

Thank You for the advice, I am trying to learn the guitar. Great performance!

[@PropertyEdits]

I love how this completely presents a different image of the band, when half of their discography is insanely heavy (like Twin Plagues). The range is incredible. edit: jk they snuck Bad Luck in there

[@_LivingTwice]

Omg no way congratulations!!

[@ajeveryday1980]

Great stuff! 🤘💀🤘

[@IgboOracle]

How can NPR claim it’s public? How did Capital One get on the label?

[@michelebella677]

I don’t know why I’ve never heard of this band before, but I’m an instant fan from the first minute of this video. They sound like Lucinda Williams singing lead vocals for Sonic Youth.

[@eveofdestruction]

Great time for the girl i’ve chosen to deserve

[@spamhour5170]

happy every time i see them play anything, lets go wednesdaaaaay

[@markbass_trojanthinking]

I honestly thought I was a day behind😂 Learnt how to play from watching NPR, wow I have heard of languages being learnt from film and tv. So not so unusual…not! Impressive. Shame two days off😂 I must say they seem very comfortable performing it shows..

[@markbass_trojanthinking]

Thanks for the like I just read an interview too I am not even their target audience!!! I blame country music radio 🍎for taking so much interest never used to be case I can assure you!!

[@homers.thompson5428]

Gotta see this band live!!

[@budonyoutube8115]

Worth it! I saw them last may and have been a fan since 2021!

[@olivbook5231]

oh my god yes you need to, saw them twice last summer was so sick

[@Joseph-wf4qg]

🎵Steel Guitar Making it Pretty 🎶

[@reel_girl05]

Mj lenderman tiny desk next 🙏🏼

[@samanthalosee8069]

had one of the best nights of my life at a wednesday concert let's go wednesday!!!!!

[@RobertSlover]

thats sad man.

[@samanthalosee8069]

​@@RobertSlover what's sad is trying to usurp the joy of a stranger's youtube comment. it's okay that you don't get it, you weren't there :)

[@RobertSlover]

@@samanthalosee8069 if one only gets joy from youtube comments thats the saddest thing ever man.

[@mocapcow2933]

@@RobertSloverthey didn’t even say they get joy from KZbin comments. They said you get joy from it, which you definitely seem to

[@cinna4462]

@@RobertSloveryou need to gain some joy and whimsy brother

[@johnnymancspice]

What an honest performance. Thank you ALL 🙌🏼

[@SebaBuenoHaceMusiquitaJijiji]

Its friday, and they want us to believe is wednesday? They wont gaslight me! Nonono 😼

[@Quekan]

¡Qué bonito!

[@fleenbiz]

bass player wearing the same dont trip hat mac wore on his tiny desk💗

[@sonic_adolescence]

rat saw god album of 2023. go wednesday!!

[@billfontaine8031]

soooooo goooooood!!!!

[@krystianj]

Hotline TNT shirt 🤝

[@juliaanise9108]

I love Wednesday!!

[@CouchCommander5000]

wow

[@matthewleger5605]

ooooof instant classic. talk about a power couple

[@joetristan]

I wonder how many DAYS they skipped showing for this

[@tiangu1442]

Yo its Wednesday! I swear almost every modern music act I like somehow ends up doing a tiny desk and I am all for it

[@ultraviolentromantic]

yesss

[@Soundofsilver2007]

Right up there with Big Thief

[@Headytopper125]

MJ Lenderman is the truth. I love this band so much. I want to see them live SOOOO BAD!!!!

[@mardinrecords]

헉 라이브 왜케 잘해요. 노래 넘 잘한다. +_+

[@londonbabe2467]

Very Good . Putz me in mind of singer Kirsti Hersh of Throwing Muses and 50FootWave fame ❤

[@austins.2495]

MJ is the freaking man 👍

[@jsurtees160]

Excellent, they have a new fan ☺

[@woo_doggy]

wednesday 4 lyfe

[@FordVincentFord]

❤❤❤

[@hello.jennarae]

i love wednesday !!!!!!!!!! yayyy !!!

[@Ivoth]

Bubbles is a great drummer

[@Brookelen]

best band

[@patrickedwards5967]

Drugs and Greensboro?! Never 😐

[@g2theis0]

The drum change on chosen is so jarring

[@tblakemusic]

Agreed, love the idea but not the best execution 😕

[@vannaleze]

True heros

[@SPINUNDRUM]

OMG she's amazing. New diehard fan. ❤

[@kkkwhhh]

Saw them in Dublin recently, they were so good. Love this band.

[@weatherboxstudios]

love

[@JerseyRepresenting]

I'm only a few seconds into this video but I have to say I found Wednesday a couple months ago hearing bull believer and felt like real music was actually coming back. Wednesday is the real deal and they have some winners brewing for the future I'm sure. Bravo

[@dannymartinez6777]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Amelia-fp5fk]

Still waiting for Justin Timberlake performance !!!

[@Laughlin83]

Just imagine Joni Mitchell

[@reesestrada4310]

this is so sick to hear it as country

[@codygusto9654]

Pedal steel god.

[@TanyaHardingsLittleSisterTonya]

Every daughter of God has a little bad luck sometimes ❤️‍🔥

[@tahirnaqvi2489]

poets

[@roentgen822]

Nah you not fooling me this came out on a Friday nice try tho npr