Lake Street Dive: Tiny Desk Concert

February 29, 2016 by BOB BOILEN
These four musicians made their first record together a decade ago, but for many of us, 2016 will be the year Lake Street Dive becomes a household name. The appeal of this band of New England Conservatory friends lies in their warmth in harmony and comfortably styled songs - sometimes tilting toward soul, often rocking danceably on a new collection of songs called Side Pony.
At first, it may be Rachael Price and her charismatic voice that draws you to this Tiny Desk concert, but it won't take long to see that this isn't just a singer and her backing band. The "two Mikes" (trumpeter and guitarist Mike "McDuck" Olson and drummer Mike Calabrese), along with upright bassist Bridget Kearney, share in the songwriting and singing, and contribute mightily to these creative arrangements. You can hear everyone mesh so well in these three new songs from Side Pony -- songs likely to be favorites for many at year's end.
Side Pony is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.c...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/...
Set List:
"I Don't Care About You"
"How Good It Feels"
"Godawful Things"
Credits:
Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame; Production Assistant: Jackson Sinnenberg; Photo: Brandon Chew/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/pod...

[@StarrStix]

can I just say tho... Bridget and her bass... slow clap forever 👏 she's just got that THING I can't describe about talented bassist. She just makes an already awesome instrument shine with her soul. I feel you Bridget.

[@lottrocky]

This is one of my favorite bands ever. Rachel Price is a beast of a singer and everyone in the band is super talented. Probably one of the best live bands out there, period.

[@joematchmusic2232]

Rocky Lott - Her name is spelled Rachael.

[@jeffgaumond4250]

They obviously showed up for class at Julliard. It shows.

[@1thomson]

Actually, the New England Conservatory of Music. Hey, credit where credit is due. No?

[@wolfgangdr.dahlke8510]

Yes, they formed Lake Street Dive at the NEC in 2001

[@elizabethlyon2925]

Close. New England Conservatory of Music, which I think is where they all met.

[@grantcorriveau358]

Four truly talented musicians - put together and wow -- can't stop listening.

[@dublinholliston]

Incredible band. Seen them 3 times live and they never disappoint.

[@Braylon18]

Omggg I'm seeing them for the first time in October. I'm in the 2nd row!!! Whoo!

[@thesinsheimers]

Just discovered this band this morning in 2024. I must’ve been living under a rock haha 😂

[@charlottemontgomery9400]

me too! hahah

[@juancruzmaguire4722]

I've discovered this week and im lovin it! through spotify though

[@FranklinOPT]

Congratulations! You’ve connected with the best kept secret in American popular music. I heard about them by word of mouth several years ago and they have been my favorite working pop band ever since. No celebrities, no synthetic production. Just five solid musicians who formed a band while earning master’s degrees at New England Conservatory. McDuck left the band, however, Akie Berneis and James Cornelius brought their tremendous talents to this lovely group.

[@Jcsthird]

Just saw them on tour last Saturday. If you can catch a show, do it. Super fun.

[@mortenrollsen271]

Go check out Lawrence. You won't be disappointed.

[@joshgregory12]

that voice... one of the most moving I've ever heard!

[@onserfdez7958]

Oh that voice cuts through my present reality and leads me down to the river!

[@dwightb]

A voice as an instrument is so perfectly exemplified by Rachel!! Musically they are so tight as a group. Very, very nice. I first found them on the Colbert Report a few years back.

[@joematchmusic2232]

Dwight B - Her name is spelled Rachael.

[@jimsullivan8739]

Great band, I've been listening to them for years. Great talent, fabulous sound, well blended. I wish them all the best in 2016.

[@DivaBabyTX512]

I'm here for this blue eyed soul. Yaaaaas this is such a great band.

[@spencerkunikiwass4660]

I am enjoying this group immensely..Fresh and lively!

[@JohnDoe-sz3lz]

This band is fuckin' dope. Lead vocals remind me a bit of Joni Mitchell.

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Joni? Interesting. I don't hear it at all. Her vocals are too low for Joni's early years and too high for her later years. The american sound/accent makes hard aswell. I would understand it more if you would've said Carole King. Any specific album or so you're thinking about?

[@michaelerickson5623]

+PJ How about, "she sounds like Rachel Price?" Comparing singers to other singers is a futile exercise... She's got her own unique sound (thank the stars).

[@jimcavanagh1135]

+John Doe Comparisons are odious.

[@mikelamson4106]

+John Doe C'mon, people, comparisons are fun and harmless. She reminds me of Susan Tedeschi on that first song.

[@Nautilus1972]

+Mike Lamson Man, I love Rachael and Susan !!!

[@nogoogleplus]

Rachel is one of my absolute favorite singers⭐️

[@garrettkunz4632]

Is it selfish to love this but not want to like it because she hits home and it hurts too much? I don't need such a beautiful reminder or suggestion from youtube every time I come here.

[@alexacrylicadventuresbyale5529]

I love her voice! I watch this Tiny Desk over and over!

[@theoneleggedchef]

These kids a f ing amazing! I've had this song stuck in my head for a week I had to review and comment!!! New artists this amazing? I'm old I had thought real creative not PC generated music had die. Thankfully I was wrong!!!

[@billderinbaja3883]

Such a talented group of friends, they are so lucky to have each other. Big TU to all, led by Rachel's amazing and unique voice.

[@joematchmusic2232]

Billder Inbaja - Her name is spelled Rachael.

[@fartknocker8363]

holy shit this is good.

[@Tolbens]

I enjoy the immediacy of these inofficial Lake Street Dive lives!!!

[@DaftSwank]

These guys are gonna be fucking superstars!!!

[@lorenavanesafredes3076]

Invita a cantar! Y el ritmo de los tres en sus respectivos instrumentos is really perfect!!! Me acompaña en mi estadia en Brasil.

[@jacquelinepaul9731]

Gee what a refreshing change....it's like they've created their own genre...and it's always evolving.

[@dominiquedourneau6426]

Instrumentation and sound is amazing....

[@funkyris]

best tiny desk concert

[@andreasjaug7006]

fantastico negrito is also amazing

[@funkyris]

yes I absolutely agree. he is also great. But for me, lake street dive is more interesting, because the songs are more diversified in my opinion. But this is a matter of taste. ;-)

[@soylentmajority989]

Bridget totally wins the best song award.

[@fireflymarx]

yes. thanks guys.

[@kevinmichaelcallihansr5053]

In hospice, Rachael would perk me for a shine of a smile, my Rita Hayworth...

[@dahlias1723]

I wish they would cover Valerie by Amy Winehouse. That would be perfect ❤️

[@creacion7d]

ALL IN POINT. amazing harmony. woooffff

[@mznyc1]

When Rachel sings the angels smile,when she dances,....it rains in Poughkeepsie....

[@MerrittJeff1970]

Something coming across a beat never stops

[@calebsmith403]

Blues and Book Stores! You will always know that you're in for a special treat.

[@nelavc21]

Thanks to NPR for sharing this great music!

[@hannahdege]

Grand Rapids this summer, can't wait!

[@MJ-dq8ik]

LOVE this band!

[@nadinekellman2182]

That guitar sounds amaze balls.

[@fartknocker8363]

Here in Rochester for the Jazz Fest 3 weeks ago....Monster band.

[@fcbinkley]

How good it feels, Good Lord. Keep that up!

[@EAdrian08]

Amazing band!

[@litosvaca7]

In so many ways this is marevellleus!!

[@julezvalles6769]

Hot damn! This was excellent and so enjoyable!!

[@robfarrell8950]

That drum fill at 2:18 is life.

[@jojo9090ish]

How can anyone thumbs down this?!?

[@beardown2489]

God Awful Things is one of the most brilliant arrangements in the last several decades of Rock n Roll. McDuck will be sorely missed. I’m curious to see where LSD goes but I’m kind of fearful as well. I haven’t loved the last two albums. Still great, but the early stuff was just on another level IMO

[@RamsRodd]

Simplemente increíble, Hope one day they can come and play in Mexico.

[@lyerandcheater]

they should come back and play their new songs!

[@farkroy]

Layin it down on the bass!

[@dannybolman7739]

This is deliciously wonderful!

[@ArtBusker]

So good !!!

[@runawaytrowsers]

Why yes, I did come back and watch this for the third time! You?

[@jozen1986]

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !!!

[@alexcraft2874]

This is my favorite band. Listen to the Bad Self Portraits album. It's fantastic.

[@therealchenoa]

\o/ Bridget is my hero

[@cornfedz]

LOVE!

[@lilamontoya5609]

i L - O - V - E them 😍

[@davidgerrick3996]

I've seen them twice

[@bobblackmantube]

Finally!!!!!

[@whizzboom41]

45 thumbs down? Seriously? WTF is wrong with people??!

[@johnjohnson9222]

on the upside that's 1.3% of people who bothered to vote

[@andreasjaug7006]

@whizz just dont care about this fact bro ;)

[@pputnam100]

Very nice performance, thanks, Folks!! But now I've never asked this but have long wondered: Why does Rachael sound like she has a strong sort of foreign accent when she sings?? Her vowels are very unusual for a native English speaking singer.... Can anyone shed some light on this observation?? Thanks de antemano

[@daniel.drives]

LOL AT 7:08 Bridget's like "fuck a bow it's jazz time" Also my one complaint with NPR TDC is that they're always showing the singer when the bassist does cool stuff, like 9:13 here and a bunch of times in Punch Brothers. Maybe because I'm a bassist and I wanna steal their techniques, but I wanna see those hands more than a face!

[@mondo-mp5qw]

I would .ike Tiny Desk Concert... to,offer video of the entire set...from a viewer perspective.. this is great video....for sure... but there are .... spots.... I would like to see.... another action.... of a particular.... band member.. ❤

[@indiefab]

Needs a kazoo solo.

[@fivetimesyo]

YEASSSSSSSSS!!!!!

[@royhight6525]

That bass player is extremely good. She gets the groove and then riffs on it. She carries every song. Fantastic musician!

[@blainegarcia2503]

She does in fact carry! But then they all do! It's a yes for me dog...

[@BelovedChatter]

And she has written most of their best songs in my opinion.

[@timiariaarea8532]

She’s an award winning songwriter

[@holton345]

This quartet is tight-tight-tight. All four are very solid in their respective roles within the group. I love this band!

[@mindbait]

I can understand people here wanting to give Rachael kudos, because she has an amazing voice... but c'mon, where's the love for the rest of the band? Calabrese is pulling off some snappy moves on the kit.. while singing! Bridget is making that bass sing, and McDuck's trumpet solo on top of his guitar playing... these are 4 talented individuals who make up one great band together!

[@buzztrucker]

+mindbait Agreed 100%

[@AG-ll4nj]

+mindbait well said !

[@michiellombaers3198]

+mindbait Together they're absolutely more than their induvidual talents.

[@chriswilson3106]

+mindbait This is true, but as a trombone player who has worked with vocalists before, they're always Divas. As an instrumentalist, you just learn to work around it. I've always heard that you can tell the skill level of a drummer by the size of his kit. The bigger the kit, the worse they'll play. This guy rules!

[@chriswilson3106]

Not true, there are famous drummers with big kits but it's unneeded. A drummer can do his or her job and then some with just a bass, a couple toms, a snare, a high hat, and a couple cymbals. Drummers tend to do too much. This either makes for a distracting performance, or an unsteady tempo. All that extra stuff around them just adds to the temptation to use it all, all the time. Look at jazz drummers, look at Ringo Star. He always gets a rep. as a poor drummer and that simply isn't true. More drums do not a good drummer make.

[@joshgregoryrealestate8505]

Rachel Price's voice is world class. One of the best I've ever heard!

[@peterandreycak3273]

I completely agree. A soaring talent!

[@paulmckenzie4291]

All subjectivity aside, she's the best female voice ever. Tone range and delivery can't be faulted... gush over, Cheers!

[@PaulAngelini]

On a LSD bender. No, not that kind.

[@emeraldkat2167]

While I completely agree, you just made me realize that LSD on lsd would probably be the happiest drug experience ever.

[@hotrodhotrod-wc3bu]

ive rarely ever seen a 4 person band with this kind of talent . shes got a one of a kind of style and voice.

[@Miracleberry1]

Everyone in this bad is talented and good looking. Bastards.

[@framymuyu]

Agreed!

[@karmageddon14]

Magnificent bastards you mean...

[@TheVeek192]

"Good looks" fade. And ANYONE can develop a talent. Shut up and get practicing.

[@Johnny-y1q]

SERIOUSLY

[@williamkruse9222]

@@TheVeek192 No..not anyone can just "develop" talent. I assume you are extremely talented?? or just lazy??

[@kurtjohnson4816]

These folks are just so good. One of the best Tiny Desks ever.

[@lisatowner5407]

AmeN 🙏🙏

[@georgeklimes7604]

If you haven't already caught it, check out the Chuck Brown one.

[@davidbyers1151]

If these guys got any better, gravity would simply let go and they would drift into space

[@lizhahn2135]

LOVE THIS!!! Each member individually is so talented and collectively a knock out!

[@Jeff566868]

Bridget Kearney, the bassist, makes me feel funny in the good way.

[@ffuifui]

YES FUCK YES!!! THANK YOU NPR!! I'M TRIPPIN ON LSD!!!

[@timtheenchanta]

Five hours after reading this, I caught your joke. When I first read it, I thought, "Well that guy is extremely honest."

[@ffuifui]

timtheenchanta 😂😂😂😂 you just made my day!!!

[@fartknocker8363]

you shouldn't do LSD.....said the eyeball wall.....paper.

[@fartknocker8363]

no you're am I sittin on amoonn galacktica. your not as good as I think you are ism.

[@Junkyarddoggin]

All the Love!

[@nancycrandall4545]

That girl can sing. 🎶

[@BigZ7337]

Amazing, there's no way to fake a voice like that, I think she has one of the best live voices out there.

[@roytee3127]

There's something uncanny about Rachael' voice. There are a number of really good jazz-blues-pop singers around - Morgan James, the PMJ stable & others - and they all give great performances, but they're working at performing. Rachael's singing is different - it just seems to flow out of her. It's like it's effortless, or part of her being.

[@MikeDownes]

It's far too dark, but not too late (in the UK) to run down the street knocking every door i can find a yelling, _Have you heard the Lake Street Dive sound!!_ .. Seriously people, these three tracks feel like I've jumped in an ice cold pool - so refreshing and you have a new fan ..

[@jribolla]

+Mike Downes I think if you dig around KZbin you will be pleasantly surprised at the consistently good quality of their live performances and songwriting.

[@yamc9710]

+Mike Downes I agree!

[@rachaelgwyn]

Well put!!! I'm i'm love with their sound

[@DaveGardnerMusic]

I just discovered these guys myself, and I completely and totally agree with you! WOW!

[@boocovsky]

True.

[@marklarson8600]

Please please please .....full hour on Austin City Limits!

[@bezzarguy]

Rachael's voice is mind-boggling, original, with a timeless quality.

[@ClaytonMorganbrass]

If you haven't already, check out her solo albums. Incredible stuff.

[@sbhtennis]

I’m just discovering this band. Wow. Guess the 2000’s still has good music

[@kamuelalee]

Just when you think music has RIP'd that's when something surprises...or something like that.

[@mattguest6326]

I just realized that I've been playing the hell out of Lake Street Dive on KZbin, but haven't bought any of their albums. That is messed up, and I shall correct it directly. This band deserves our monetary support. I just wish that their tour would bring them to north Texas. Consider all of the silly crap bands that you've dropped a little cash for. Let's buy a song or an album or two from LSD on iTunes, or whatnot.

[@steveross8326]

Matt Guest You are the first person since my Grandmother to use the word 'directly' in this context......I'm 70 an' it brought back great memories!

[@pocketlama]

@@steveross8326 It's in my repertoire. I like it because it's an unusual (now) twist on the word. I'm 50 and remember it being on the way to unusual back then.

[@mattguest6326]

Steve Ross I somehow missed when you had written this a year ago, but found it just now, as I marveled at the paucity of views and comments for this excellent band. I’m just 48, but was reared amidst elderly rural Texans, most of whom were well-read. I’d reckon that a higher-than-average number of persons who appreciate a neat turn of (locally colorful) phrase might be found among the greater pool of NPR Tiny Desk consumers. Have a great day, and think of the talents of this band, rather than bad things, today. I don’t need reminders about the worst day of my life; I need reminders to treat myself to more of this.

[@Deeliciousone]

I'm 45 and I'm now feeling really bad about the fact that I use "directly" this way still, lol. (Now you'll tell me "whatnot" is on it's way out.)

[@Nightmaregamer-y7n]

Rachael is one of the best singers of her generation The fact that you pay just as much attention to the other three shows you how charming and talented this band is.

[@-GuitarZero]

I never say this, but this band is all about that bass.

[@michellesines7976]

Love the standing bass!!

[@loveandlight8533]

In this song, yes.... Typically they are horn and Rachel oriented! Listen to "Mistakes'.....

[@augtown]

Bridgette really grooves with it

[@yermumsyerdad9174]

That buttery biscuit base?

[@johnthompson9441]

She is fabulous

[@buzztrucker]

LSD is still killing it as usual. Why this group isn't more commercially successful blows my mind. Rachael your voice is so amazing and soothing... so great to pick me up on a downtrodden day. The rest of LSD all so musically inclined it's mind blowing.

[@jbdmb]

+buzztrucker LSD is a hell of a band.

[@TomOBrien323]

+buzztrucker This album (Sidepony) and the current tour will do it. Saw them in Chicago last week and they didn't disappoint.

[@totreadlightly]

Just like to draw attention to the fact that the acronym for this band is LSD...intentional or not Rachel's vocals over the rest of the band's killer rhythms take me on a journey every time I press play.

[@lucyfoster4082]

A couple of hooky songs and they'd have it--their only weakness.

[@FrankDyke]

I think that some of the challenge with marketing a band like this is that they have a "small" sound. Their music and arrangements seem better suited for more intimate venues like a club or small auditorium. Sadly, commercial success in music hinges upon selling several thousand tickets and a narrow dynamic range toward the loud side of the volume knob.

[@elektra805]

YES! About dang time. I've been waiting for this...NPR just made my day! I wish they had thrown at least one of their songs from Bad Self Portraits in the mix (since that entire album was pure heaven to my ears) - but I am totally happy with this set!

[@m.simoneboyd5136]

+Jennifer Williamson amen to that, Jennifer.

[@totalrobot]

Their BEST ALBUM BY FAR

[@TheThaggs]

It's pretty rare to have so many talented songwriters in one band.

[@sterlingmillhollon2520]

No joke. I cant believe how cohesive and comprehensive the sound is for being written by different people. They are on the same wavelength.

[@tammijo]

I watch this at least once a week, so good.

[@stevemckenna9667]

WTF was that trumpet solo? Off the dial. Love.

[@richiebeard994]

Top notch writing, arranging, all around vocals and player-ship of each individual instrument comes together in a very satisfying experience. God Speed to these young folks.

[@nsmader]

And let's hear it for the sick bass drop at 8:43 by Bridget!

[@ducas8937]

She killed in the first track as well, what a great player!

[@angelinamarino4656]

Nicholas Mader just fucking all of it. She's a class act through and through

[@eldorado96]

She deserved a camera shot for that.

[@nineomite]

"Sick bass drop" basically describes every line she plays haha. She's incredible.

[@YugalGrg5]

wow just heard it now!

[@sullivan2339]

Back here in 2020. Been listening allot to this terrific band- the last song in this set proves that It's a total four-piece effort- listen to the multiple harmonies. Kind of an extraordinary group.

[@ryanchon8702]

totally agree, I think what makes their music special is that it has plenty of musical complexity but it's always easily digested and never comes off as stuffy or overdone (the last song is a good example)

[@svmeanbean]

can't believe how effortless it seems for Rachael to sing the way she does. incredible.

[@billderinbaja3883]

Her voice is viscerally memorable.. hear her once and you cannot forget... see her once and fall in love. She is the epitome of Class Act.

[@Mastaace]

Check out Caiti Baker. She's an Austrlalian Jazz singer I immediately compared Rachael to.

[@fartknocker8363]

How do you know "how effortless" it is ?.....put your helmet on, you can't speak for other people.

[@fartknocker8363]

Go pose somewhere else.

[@roytee3127]

@@fartknocker8363 It's common knowledge among aficionados of great performances of any kind, that the real masters can make the marvelous look easy.

[@mfcten]

Great band of uncommonly excellent musicians. Hard to believe that only now Rachael Price's astounding, remarkable vocal prowess is becoming known to the wider public. Thanks indeed for this performance!

[@DannyMcCaffrey]

It's hard to find a great singer, competent musicianship and good songwriting in one band. They are special.

[@MalcolmSchnoodle]

Two of my absolute favoritest things. LSD and TIny Desk. FINALLY!! So great. So (seemingly) effortless. It must be hard work making it look so easy.

[@natecorning]

holy shit those drum fills at 2:19

[@afrosty91]

All of them are conservatory trained. They know their instruments man.

[@jorgeparedesaponte4045]

could be a paradiddle or a single strock roll...

[@natecorning]

Jorge Aponte definately not a paradiddle

[@jorgeparedesaponte4045]

njdkidd1231 man, isn't a great stuff..

[@jjarm]

Jorge Paredes Aponte ñnn

[@misterjohnlove]

She is god damn mesmerizing.

[@grayzombie]

That first song sounded like Fleetwood Mac and the second one sounded like some 60s thing and i really liked it