Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

June 6, 2016 by STEPHEN THOMPSON • Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop visited NPR's offices on what may well be 2016's most beautiful day so far: perfectly warm and sunny, uncharacteristically dry, and perfect for lounging happily on the roof deck just around the corner from the Tiny Desk. Hoop and Beam did just that, hanging out amiably for hours after their show ended, as part of one of the most comfortable and relaxing days in the history of NPR Music.
The music itself was gorgeous to match, as the two performed three songs from their new collaborative record, Love Letters For Fire. If you haven't yet heard it, the album's sound fits right where you'd hope it would: between the inventive hookiness of Hoop's terrific solo work and the more somber ruminations of the work Beam makes at the head of Iron & Wine. Weeks later, watching their performance is like recapturing a little slice of that spring day, just when we need it most.
Love Letters For Fire is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.c...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/...
SET LIST:
"Sailor To Siren"
"Know The Wild That Wants You"
"Every Songbird Says"
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...

[@jordanneal576]

I'm so grateful for the album they did together. My wife and I quickly became obsessed with it, listening to it non-stop. One day I caught my wife singing the harmonies, and I grabbed my guitar and finally convinced her to sing with me.

[@emilypollock7990]

❤

[@musicisbrilliant]

I MIGHT be wrong, but I think this kind of beauty can save the world. Thank you NPR.

[@ZASurvivalist]

musicisbrilliant yep.. just play this in warzones.

[@tedbear2441]

And you are a brave and noble person for saying so in such a sick world.

[@dpopluf7370]

Not wrong

[@musicisbrilliant]

@@villannn So true! :)

[@krillnukem892]

your heart is the beautiful thing here - more like you will save the world 🧚‍♀️

[@AggresivelyBenign]

She is so skilled at harmonizing. Really impressive.

definitely, after years, I'm still coming back here because of it

[@inspectorjavert5563]

She's kind of mediocre TBH.

[@placebojesus5652]

Alright @inspectorjavert5563 who’s better?

[@lowlowlab3308]

​@@inspectorjavert5563i think you do better... Can we listen ?

[@lauraconover8385]

One of my favorite Tiny Desk's EVER!! Absolutely beautiful.

[@tObito687]

Sailor To Siren 0:00 Jesca's driving analogy 4:31 Know The Wild That Wants You 5:05 Story about an amazing fan video 8:06 Every Songbird Says 9:26

[@jamesdickinson6090]

You know what sucks. That you can only hit the like button once. Feels like I'm doing a disservice to how fucking incredible this is. One measly shitty little thumb for how insanely talented these two are.

[@clairevanhofwegen]

This version of Sailor to Siren is my absolute favorite

[@einaraassved9988]

His tuning is DADGAD, but tuned down to B. So, for example, you can play "Sailor to Siren" in standard DADGAD since he has a capo on the 3rd fret.Chords: 000700, 500400, 700600 and 900700

[@billdowne5814]

Beautiful..

[@spinningreelsofrhyme]

Thank you so much for this insight into his tuning!

[@tabletopchef]

I think that Taylor is pushed to make DADGAD work.

[@MLOI18775]

Down to B?? U sure?That's almost a baritone guitar! :)

[@bd_danks6690]

My favorite tuning

[@ml07twkl]

I've seen Jesca a couple of times in tiny intimate shows and she is absolutely magic. Mad as a box of fish, but so captivating. One of my favourite live performers.

[@victorhyman268]

may I be so bold as to suggest the expression is frogs,mad as a box of frogs.if this be the case I be a tadpole happily…..

[@coletroutman1060]

The second song is my favorite I used to listen to this back in 2017 my first year of college.. brings me back sm, walking through Penn state in the snow with this jamming. Crazy how much life has changed since then

[@aaronarmstrongaa]

First track was so beautiful, so very beautiful

[@bryansears6470]

Sam beam is imo one of the best artists out there, in any genre, anywhere. Love the new stuff!

[@paulevans3669]

Probably the most perfect set ever recorded. Short but sweet! You guys smashed this out of the park 😍

[@joneg7777]

I swear this man changes the very essence in a room, and Hoop only amplifies that

[@connorm1817]

I watch this on a weekly basis... obsessed with it all.

[@jmar7591]

Came here for Sam Beam acoustic and it didn't disappoint. But holy shit, Jesca's tone in "Every Songbird Says" is otherworldly.

[@d0nj03]

She's got that dry Lisa Hannigan type of voice that kinda makes the two of them sound like Lisa and Damien Rice but more mellow.

[@angelicaluce3230]

"THE WORLD IS A DREAM THAT WRIGGLED FREE" Wonderful poetry!

[@danielsntg]

We need a second album from these two!

[@ArdalanHamann]

I am not sure which one was more beautiful and pleasant, their music or their small chats between the pieces. I envy their relation.

[@michaelkraft9181]

Incredible performance. Always amazing to see talented people come together and create works like this

[@taylorblanpied4351]

holy crap those harmonies.....

[@joegiuffrida6779]

recapturing the musical zeitgeist of the sixties. angelic harmonies and enigmatic verse

[@judemiller]

Jesca put chills in my spine during Every Songbird Says! This is INCREDIBLE :D

[@JessicaDominic]

This is beautiful and the harmonies are lovely. So soothing...

[@benostiguy7215]

Sailor to Siren is a magical song... this live version is something very special.

[@jcims]

The fact that the phonic philanthropy of these two voices can be captured by a single microphone blows my mind. The technology and art of the folks behind the curtain connects us to this pair in a way that was unattainable until now. It's both sad and awesome. Sad that billions lived without, awesome that we're just stepping through a new door. Thank you to everyone involved.

[@electricalife]

Sam is looking aged. or should I say seasoned. After all these years he still continues to get better. a rare soul and talent.

[@humberthumbert978]

They should totally collaborate on another album. Love Letter to Fire is one of Iron and Wine’s greatest albums ever. So poignant and original. Not to mention Jesca Hoop, who has the voice and demeanor of a siren. The perfect duo.

[@markothwriter]

I'm amazed at how well they picked up the sound. And this comes through the compression of KZbin -- but it sounds bigger than that. It's very impressive.

[@radiopete7290]

my god I listen to this so much I'm now writing for 2 voices as a songwriter thanks so much for your wonderful talents jessca and sam you are inspiration for me and my partner in song pete

[@anthonywallace3830]

Do you have anything released? Would love to hear if possible. Best wishes to you and your band

[@michaelchapman4295]

I've come back to this fantastic combination over and over. Better every time I hear it!

[@davidstratz1163]

Sailor to Siren Best Version ever. One of the most beautiful songs I ever heard. But that tuning is cazy😂 Thank you for this piece of art❤

[@ryanmccracken7247]

Tears in my eyes from the sheer power & beauty of their songs.

[@austing3337]

Dont think sam's trimmed his beard since the last tiny desk. Absolutely phenomenal though love every second

[@twitchkitty1]

these two together are amazing. 💜😌

[@End3rWi99in]

I need them to play way way more music together.

[@guellrich]

So do I!

[@satyrenkidu8721]

I already adored Jesca Hoop, but hadn't been familiar with Beam or Iron & Wine. After seeing the two of them together in Boulder on June 7, 2016, I hope (fingers crossed) that they will continue to collaborate. What a beautiful evening!

[@simonvander71]

I also love Jesca's Lil house on the prairie hair

[@michaelkraft9181]

Now every blossoms ready to explode in the cracks along the road. I get caught up in the beauty of their voices and the guitar and sometimes don’t notice just how beautiful the lyrics are in all of these songs!

[@billmassy]

oh man the raspiness in her voice on that last song. such a great tone

[@scratchnsniff7528]

She's 41 years old. 41... Forty-One. How? She looks like she's in her 20's!!! Fucking gorgeous woman, and a voice to die for! This is ridiculous :O

[@jodirook71]

getting old aint what it used to be, im 46 , but I feel 100 , ha ha ha

[@ssimon64]

ScratchN Sniff 40 is not really that old

[@scratchnsniff7528]

+idlehands 333 in the grand scheme of things, chief. but I'm in my 20's, so it's a good way away yet! It's not the age so much as the impression, I'd have never guessed 40+, doubt many would.

[@ssimon64]

ScratchN Sniff Yeah I would have guessed she was in her 30s at least anyway

[@gonzo8145]

I'd wager its due to a healthy lifestyle is all.

[@peterm8605]

Sounds warm and beautiful on a winter night too. Thanks NPR for capturing this perfect harmony.

[@naktura7409]

I love these two. Such happiness and warmth radiation off of them.

[@cometome255]

it feels like my spirits are being lifted... ahhh... lovely stuff. Definitely a fan!

[@dustbuny48]

Simply breathtaking. . .love it when music gives me goosebumps

[@daaangangel]

beyond words... these melodies make my heart feel so unbelievably full

[@kuhmpashun]

One of the best. These two on their own are absolutely amazing. Together... forget it.

[@lauriane4432]

I just love them, there are both awesome 👌

[@nygelpackett2223]

One of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.

[@MLOI18775]

Those beautiful vocal harmonies, what a feeling of...freedom!

[@adamsmethurst798]

Watched Jesca last night, she and her friend was supporting Elbow at the Apollo theatre in Manchester and they were very good indeed. Me and my wife had an amazing night. Thanks very much x.

[@jetfromgladiators7382]

At end of the road festival a few years ago when they changed the lyrics in a heartbeat as birds flew by and shat on the crowd. That was the moment when I fell in love with this duo.

[@ricardozapata9142]

When you were a boy you stuck Your thumb inside the light Morning bottle warm Holy compass ready you would run into the wild Into the wild Gathered in its arms In its arms In its arms When you're in the city you're A tangled native tongue Another tongue eating fear for free Know the wild that wants you Know you're not another pillow on A gun drifting off to sleep And come home And come home Feel your own bones say "heal yourself, yourself" Hear your own heart moan "Love yourself, yourself" When you were a girl salt was Beading down your back And all the braids were tangled in your hair Candy for your lips and for your love All you were given was a bruise Falling down the stairs When you're in the city and it's talking to itself, to itself Stealing what you sing Know the wild that wants you When the sun is underground And park police are laughing off your leaves Hear your own bones say "heal yourself, yourself" Hear your own heart moan "Love yourself, yourself And come home, and come home And come home, and come home"

[@chasedbycreatures2689]

Amazing ! The voices and the guitar skills!|

[@Stemage]

Super creative harmonies. Some stuff in here that is a bit left field for the kind of music they play. Very refreshing.

[@carollovesmcdreamy]

Edmonton Folk Fest! See y'all there!👏🏼

[@garrygirard6350]

wow the first song was so damn amazing, the harmony is great

[@marcelo.cau.]

Jesca and Sam singing "every songbird says" It's the most beautiful and sweet thing I've ever listened

[@contactkeithstack]

very beautiful sounding guitar

[@courtbox]

Sam has to be one of the greatest song writers. And I love the beard!

[@April-qe9ed]

Omgoddess, both of their voices together instantly made me tear up, and sigh and smile... I'm literally crying. 😢❤❤❤

[@avster99]

Jesca: "Let's remember our parts." Sam: "Okay, good, that's helpful."

[@keiths4491]

Sam typically plays by himself, he doesn't usually have to stick to a song by the letter

[@faukks]

Sam Beam is a god damn saint.

[@EugeniaMorpho]

On the KCRW performance Jesca almost sang one of Sam's lines so I think it's more of a reminder to herself.

[@bambeeyejoy]

Rooted in the cracks along the road. I got chillsssss

[@titobrad34]

Love the way this turned out. Much love from Indy

[@mrparhasard]

Their concert was the best I've ever been to.

[@matthewptaylor11]

Love Letter For Fire is a beautiful collaboration. This is yet another wonderful Tiny Desk Concert.

[@Exposetheluciferianagenda]

Jesca is so beautiful

[@samb614ify]

i love it! I always liked Iron & Wine's earlier stuff, and it's great hearing Beam returning to simpler form, and she sounds beautiful!

[@user-om4lr5oo5y]

God, I'm so proud to be born and listen to you! now!

[@christina-kd1dp]

I love that man so much.

[@steventhefunky]

been waiting for the album since the acoustic tour with the two of them in Feb 2014. Drove 7 hours to get to the Atlanta show and oh my god it was so worth it. I've listened to "know the wild that wants you" a ridiculous amount of times. so good.

[@Orsola389]

So beautiful I never get tired of this....

[@bryanirving2422]

That is a magical performance, way more personal and delicate than on the CD.

[@logansaan]

Love these two people singing together and mind blown that i just found out he's the Iron & Wine guy : )

[@cdavis1067]

If you weren't famous, you are now! Love it! Congrats!

[@williamforan9769]

Saw them live, this is amazing, kiss each other clean is a masterpiece.

[@HoopToop2257]

He has such a beautiful nose.

[@paysonbiker]

I like this performance so much more than the one on the record. They're so great.

[@bynnrowell9595]

These 2 are made of pure love of life

[@misternatureboy]

That was frickin' lovely.

[@endah08]

Just saw these two give a wonderful performance last night at the Olympia in Dublin, Ireland.

[@richardquinn5319]

That gig blew me away. One of the best I've been to...

[@1chipchap]

She looks more than fine in those jeans shirt and braces . And obviously her voice is a dream . And together this is one of the best dreams ever .

[@RachelBearinger]

YES cleanse my soul.

[@sailorburrito193]

hahaha right

[@spinningreelsofrhyme]

Pretty accurate! I think that I am going to light my lotus incense...

[@spinningreelsofrhyme]

These two need to make another album together...So many great songs on this one.

[@joseespinoza6283]

What a nice surprise to find again Sam Beam. I´m Venezuelan and his music has helped me a lot to endure the difficult moments we are living here. Thanks NPR!

[@musingsandmusic]

...to stumble on a cold rainy winter day in Melbourne, into their music. I feel as if a soul mate offered me a coat to keep my heart warm! Would love to see people like Sara Taverez, Ceu, Alin Coen and Sophie Hunger....any chance??

[@loveofit6498]

Thank you. This is incredibly beautiful music.

[@renaissancemanman]

i concur they are the most beautiful ones

[@JaredStockMusic]

I really wish they played Soft Place to Land. By far the most beautiful song on the album. So incredibly inspired. You can feel the emotion pouring from that song.

[@JoachimKessel]

Very lovely.

[@Frankaupolis]

Oh my, what beauty! A gift from two angels here on Earth. Thank you(s)! 8-)

[@emilythebarnett]

Wow! This is gorgeous!

[@matteogarfagnini]

this is simply beautiful , so many emotions

[@lampcollective]

Lovely! great guitar sound.

[@rollingpierremusic]

Whaooo Jesca makes some bold and beautiful harmonies...

[@ericzawada1228]

This is such a crazy underrated and beautiful record. I would love a sequel.

[@KNakanishi]

This aesthetic reminds of being home in Portland, ME :)

[@jimmyvaldezsommers4742]

this was the firstime i heard these two awsom loved them

[@ligialewis2182]

Beautiful harmonies , delicately done . These are two very gifted and sensitive artists. I can't wait to hear more of them. Lovely voices in beautiful sync and rich , sonorous guitar . Thank you both for this gem . George Lewis, Sr. ( NPR , you guys rock with these TDC's .) GL, Sr.

[@intimeitallfades]

Missed his tour with Jesca Hoop but saw him in San Francisco Saturday night, what a beautiful time! Thank you Sam and his band!