San Fermin: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

San Fermin's music bursts with ambition, talent and extreme joy. Its self-titled debut is charged with great storytelling and amazing vocals by both Allen Tate and Lucius singers Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe. Then there are the arrangements: little gems that turn these songs into cinematic vignettes using trumpet, sax, keyboard, violin, guitar and drums.
San Fermin is the musical vision of Ellis Ludwig-Leone, who wrote these songs with Tate's dark, rich voice in mind. Here at the Tiny Desk, Rae Cassidy makes the album's female vocal parts her own; in fact, the entire band keeps growing into these little song-worlds. I've seen San Fermin three times this year, and the songs keep gathering more power, intrigue and fire. The album provides a jumping-off point for a 2014 that promises to be huge for San Fermin. --BOB BOILEN
Set List
"Oh Darling"
"Sonsick"
"Renaissance!"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Becky Harlan, Meredith Rizzo

[@ARISUinW0NDERLAND]

This whole album is just a dream. One of my favorites.

[@pianomatteo]

I'm amazed Rae could sing like this knowing she had lost her voice on this tour. Go girl!

[@sedenopublishing]

Such a bummer that Rae Cassidy is not with them anymore!! She absolutely kills it! What a great vocalist.. I hope her solo career gets going soon.. Also..NPR, you made a mistake in your notes regarding who is singing, you should fix that ASAP.

[@ZakkWurzbach]

She made Copeland.. listen to the last time he saw dorie by copeland and my life in a suitcase.. she rocked 15 years ago too

[@hitmonbee]

You should check out her solo stuff! It's incredible

[@hitmonbee]

Also, Rae joined in after the recording of the first album! Thats why it sounds different!

[@judeConnelly]

@@hitmonbee Loved her myspace era stuff - precocious talent.

[@Bizzare77777]

Dang, that girl can sing!!!

[@coryroberts8591]

I think the look/smile on everyone's face after sonsick pretty much sums it up. Very moving. Thank you!

[@KoopahNITE]

It's bands like this that make me listen to these videos. I've never heard of this band but now I am going to go check them out. Thanks NPR. Keep up the good work.

[@MissLaurenJanine]

Why don't popular "artists" sound like this? They are so refreshing and amazing!

[@geraldomedrano5558]

Rae Cassidy gave me goosebumps with that amazing voice! Stellar!

[@benjaminbaumgardner7620]

I've got chills; these ladies have great voices.

[@scottschwartz2612]

Best Tiny Desk of all time! Not too many bands have studio chops like these guys.

[@5k33k]

Since I couldn't find it anywhere else, here is who's performing: Allen Tate - Vocals Ellis Ludwig-Leone - Piano Rae Cassidy - Vocals Eliza Bagg - Vocals/Violin Michael Hanf - Drums Tyler McDiarmid - Guitar Stephen Chen - Saxophone John Brandon - Trumpet

[@Justintricate]

0:00 Oh Darling 3:30 Sonsick 8:28 Renaissance!

[@21656303]

love the look on Raes face at 7:30 after she hits that high note perfectly. she's all "psh, nailed it."

[@jamestovar9288]

I just saw this amazing band at The Fillmore in San Francisco, and they were fantastic. I had known nothing about them but had been at The Fillmore many times and knew I would see great music, whoever was playing that night. I was blown away. So, days later I go on KZbin to listen to them more and I find this angel, Rae Cassidy! WTF? Why is she not with them today? San Fermin and their founder-writer, Ellis Ludwig-Leone, are awesome, but I'm following Rae Cassidy! Her voice is that of the Heavens...

[@ShaferHart]

She decided to go solo and disappeared. She was too young, it happens lol

[@gerszahl]

OMG. You guys never understood how good this is. This is gold.

[@2006breakmyballs]

emotion is what makes great music "great". I can feel every single note because of the emotion that comes from behind this music. You can't fake the sound that gives you goosebumps, you can't fake the sound that makes the hair on your arms stand on end...when you pour your body and soul into a song...this is the result. Hands down amazing song...amazing band...keep it coming guys. A Big Fan

[@ickerish]

that second track.... OMG.. crazy good.. craaaaazzzyyyyyy goooooood

[@Mynameisnumber5]

I had never heard of San Fermin until I first saw this video, and then I saw Rae's face and was like ................................ :O ...................... and then I heard her voice and I was like .............. :'O

[@lightnweight]

That first song, the first song I've just now ever heard by this group, brought me to tears.

[@daveyoung5620]

Can't even find a number to describe how many times I have listened to this.

[@DREAMGERRARD]

Excellent performance. Lady on far left is gorgeous

[@STE4LYOURFACE]

I love the way she drops the f bomb like she's not going to say it

[@poutinemytwocents7769]

This video is still gold! Thanks Rea for this interpretation!

[@scarym0nster]

I only found this yesterday and already love it so much I can't stop listening. Very much looking forward to receiving the CD. Oh, and the Lucius connection bought me here. Thanks NPR you keep showing me great music that I would never have known about.

[@aikoyonamine]

So much gusto. So much love. I feel it in my heart and resonating so deeply. Can't wait to see them tonight.

[@yeahyou114]

She KILLED it.

[@youllregretit]

What awesome arrangements. They've got some people with ears in this band.

[@mandomonica]

This is one of the most amazing performances ever! Buying the album and buying tickets to see in St. Paul, MN in Feb.

[@carolcamposb]

What a voice! Loved their sound.

[@laurenkd89]

the ladies' voices are incredible.

[@mraaronmarker]

I am pleased.Thanks NPR.

[@maltajade9058]

So amazing. I cannot WAIT to see them in Atlanta in a few months. Just in love with this music.

[@mikehaney4594]

Cool that they collaborate with other TDC performers. Lucius is one of my favorite bands going right now

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

The key of joy is that one can hear them in a (usually) quiet place or in your headphones. No audience, no screaming, no forks ringing, just the music and you. Then you freely decide to vote for or mutis.

[@Clismoambient]

very innovative composer ..nice material ....i am sure we will be hearing a lot from this gentleman .All the Best!!

[@roomsforghost]

Fantastic....nuff said

[@bocajnumber]

This is breathtaking.

[@johnzutic3834]

so good it hurts damn

[@TheHaase69]

I love her

[@mumoko]

Very talented set of performance, but what a voice by Allen. Great performance. Looking forward very eagerly to 11.11 and the album release in Japan.

[@FeRmBot0118]

Fermin ! That's my name Hah She sounds good.

[@lr8781]

Cool name

[@ap2011]

Girl sounds like a Disney princess. I dig it.

[@ne_handle]

Rae Cassidy please come back, you're forgiven!!

[@ghostie7790]

yeah! what happen to her?!

[@forestroemer8352]

ghostie7790 pursuing a solo career

[@garnet21w]

In all fairness, i just saw them live, and Charlene Kaye is AMAZING.

[@forestroemer8352]

garnet21w good to know

[@blabberpad]

I personally prefer Sonsick with the voices of the girls from Lucius but this video made me so so happy!

[@anniewait6079]

Where is this female singer now??? She is WONDERFUL

[@WatsonHawkins]

+Annie Wai Rae Cassidy went solo.

[@theoneghost]

Rae also did some songs for Copeland if you're looking for more of her work!

[@anniewait6079]

Seth Sanchez ....Thank you, she is so fabulous, I miss her!🤔

[@WGBHMusic]

Love this! So good.

[@SwitcherooU]

Couldn't believe this wasn't a Bill Callahan side project. Really good stuff regardless.

[@anniewait6079]

Rae, Rae.......have you forgotten us??? We sure REMEMBER YOU.......

[@GradyRosten]

That girl is amazing

[@todddavis240]

What an original style! Remarkable! Love the first song, still sinking in about the rest? Thank you NPR, peace&love

[@chak007]

very cool..love their arrangement and vocals..great future..

[@pjl101003]

very cool. looking forward to seeing live in L.A.

[@Maxwizard88]

this is unreal.

[@Clodiusjulii]

Great band!

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

The guy's voice reminded me of Bill Callahan.

[@TheWordNerd173959]

All I hear is Obama when he sings...

[@tlengland2007]

yes! And somewhat like Kurt Wagner from Lambchop

[@disastereo]

Or Kermit the frog...

[@ctrip6668]

Magnetic zeros anyone?

[@MattJuniper86]

I think I prefer the version of 'sonsick' to the album version.

[@thephiladelphiabuddhist6236]

san fermin opens for ALT'-J IN Philadelphia, at festival pier today sept 25th. wow I may leave Norma Jean Show early just to catch San Fermin

[@JustinZymbaluk]

How do they get such a good sound mix in such a tiny little room?

[@VictorFraga90]

Great vocals, amazing songs :)

[@SebastianArrese]

Amazing music, wish I could get to a show

[@yoohoodrinker566]

It's cool to see her become human when she goes for her warer

[@geoffreybeene]

BOB BOILEN

[@fatnamess]

I'm a new fan!

[@Mynameisnumber5]

Damn, that lead singer is extremely good at singing and is also very HOT.

[@karlaavalos2362]

Me encanta :D

[@poligneco]

I think she loves him :P

[@justinbarnes166]

3 years later, but exactly what I was thinking. All those little "approval?" glances.

[@Press1ToParty]

And I just found out this wasn't too long after their equipment had been stolen. :( their music is actually pretty dang good.

[@kaligulaman]

precioso!

[@pbrown10]

I wish there were credits for all the musicians in the description.

[@kelliwingate2914]

Listening to this in the background and thought it was Dirty Projectors.

[@desiraerubio6091]

+Kelli Wingate Nah mang... they San Fermin. They are amazing. I've seen them live in Los Angeles, at the Natural History Museum. They did a late night show inside the old Beasts of the Plains hallways exhibit. One of the best shows I've ever seen. They are very nice and stayed after to talk with EVERYONE until the museum staff ushered everyone out

[@halcyon107]

Awesome performance! What is the name of the violinist? I would like to see more of her! Her playing and singing is beautiful!

[@ChazEvansdale]

+Thies Heidecke I'd also like to know the name of the violinist. I looked at the band's website/wikipedia and it seems they have a different one now.

[@halcyon107]

Her name is Eliza Bagg for anyone interested in hearing more of her music!

[@ChazEvansdale]

Eliza Bagg - Violinist Finally figured it out. My google-fu is strong today! Finally saw a pic of her with the band where they credit all the band with their names.

[@ravenredrollerblades]

Omg

[@alexnelson2108]

Wonderful, just fuckin wonderful!

[@ZakkWurzbach]

Rae

[@sarah31710]

I love this. When I like one of these concerts I always search for other videos from the artist, but I always like the tiny desk versions better. Also, sonsick is sped up in some other live videos and too smoothed out sounding in the recording (which is normal, I know). It misses a lot of the great qualities of the female's voice. Anyway, good video.

[@ellec5223]

Hello NPR, watching the San Fermin who I have their first and second album - the mark on Sonsick they sang on 408 (video time)easy F#@$ when they are old enough. I saw them in NYC Bowery on Delancey. Can you sing what happened with Sonsick? elle for tiny readers

[@ScottNutting]

So San Fermin can sing...

[@tymepowell9385]

San Fermin in Houston May 3rd! Buy tickets now! www.stubwire.com/event/sanferminlowroar/whiteoakmusichall/houston/14160/

[@robm6009]

nice

[@candabear3642]

i was kinda hoping for methusela

[@designed_by_tech]

San Fermin can try to remake themselves, but there's a palpable tension in this video because of how stunningly she overshadows them. Do I blame them for kicking her out? No, not really. If I was a sub-par talent group I would probably do the same - but the truth is they brought her in to pump up their numbers, and kicked her out when she started to outshine them. Sorry SF, but she was the only reason I listened in the first place and my views will continue to follow her because she's what gives me goosebumps. That's what we're all after with music after all right? That frisson feeling like the world is infinite? She does it, the rest of you could have learned a lot from her, even if she was difficult to work with. Hopefully SXSW helps you survive until you set your egos to the side.

[@dinosaurus7443]

dude you put into words exactly what i was thinking. She does overshadow them completely and they know it in this video. (that tension you mentioned) and yes she gives me goosebumps too :)

[@jamestovar9288]

Agreed, though I loved the recent show I saw at The Fillmore, when I came here and discovered Rae Cassidy, and was confused because she didn't look like the girl I saw at the Fillmore, and finally realized she had been replaced, my heart sunk. She is very very special. Where is she?

[@cornholioliolio3668]

I love the song Sonsick, but find myself wondering why they dont play it a step lower or so to make those high notes in the chorus less difficult. I mean for the lead singer, the backup singing seems to be in falsetto and therefore not as hard to reach (but Im still amazed they can do it, especially Mr. Tate). It sounds good on the studio release, but in the couple of live recordings Ive seen (this one, and even more so with the live one or two Ive seen with Charlene Kaye) it seems theyre not quite reaching those notes, and I think it really takes away from the song, although I love it anyway (esp. the horns). I dont mean it as negative, more that Im just curious. Admittedly I know very little about music theory, so I may be completely missing something. Ive never been clear on how changing key affects the sound of a given piece of music. I guess it can change the flavor (which should be in quotes, and I apologize for the missing punctuation, my apostrophe / quotation mark key isnt working).

[@fruietnicolas]

trop cool. Yo. ils paient vraiment pas de mine, hyper naturels, sincères et qui se la racontent pas. bref, ça déchire grave sa race.

[@crazy4drumming]

The main singer's voice reminds of Greta Salpeter from The Hush Sound!

[@teriscallon]

Lucius singers?

[@AddBowIfGirl]

3:30

[@birth0fserpents]

Get Alessi's Ark!

[@Snufkin224]

Explicit language! - My life will be ruined if it touches my ears, oh noes.

[@maxrudenko5775]

The best sound is on the 8:04 :))

[@truecolours101]

obama has joined a band

[@rachelmaechel]

Ha :) His voice also kind of reminds me of Bill Callahan.

[@LivGreene]

ok that guy lead singer is obama… i'm convinced

[@ambelalchavda3199]

lol

[@kirbster55]

Not digging the low vocals from him rather high would be better

[@MyFirstBandOfficial]

I'm glad they got obama to sing for them.

[@Susan-hf7bv]

This song sounds like a conversation with Obama about the new administration . 😂😂😂😂

[@einnob9268]

i mean this only in the best way, but the Allen Tate sounds like Obama

[@hunterschuur1727]

This guy sings like Barack Obama talks

[@danthilman2394]

typically prefer TDC renditions to the studio versions, but this attempt at sonsick is remarkably inferior...shame..

[@Nphen]

You just can't replicate the studio in every live performance!

[@jcrg15]

black see-through over white bra... nice..

[@ThinkingAvidly]

just leave out Obama and this would be perfect. Or just have the guy sing instead of talk because its just rips you out of the atmosphere her and the piano put you in. Sonsick is beautiful