Tarta Relena: Tiny Desk x globalFEST

In 2021, the Tiny Desk x globalFEST series was created to promote international music discovery. For the last three years, artists from around the globe have performed Tiny Desk (home) concerts from their respective countries, but for the first time this year, artists performed at the Tiny Desk at NPR's headquarters.
Felix Contreras | April 3, 2024
The first impression I get from watching the Spanish duo Tarta Relena at the Tiny Desk is a reminder that the human voice may be mankind's oldest musical instrument.
Even more so when you consider that the five languages they sing here includes not just Spanish, Greek and their native Catalan, but also Latin and classical Greek, evoking images of lyricists and vocalists from centuries past.
Starting initially as an a capella project in 2016, vocalists Helena Ros and Marta Torella eventually added ambient-styled electronics to cushion their uncommonly matched voices. The duo's first number, "Me Yelassan," is in Greek, so be sure to activate the translation option on the video to fully appreciate the power of the performance with lyrics read almost like a Zen koan meditation on rebirth and eternity.
Stay tuned in to those translations, because the magic of this performance is in losing yourself in the harmonies and timeless poetic lyrics. In fact, the lyrics of the song "Safo" are taken from a poem written by the ancient Greek poet Sappho, and includes the prophetic line: "Someone will remember us, I say even in another time." How often do we get a chance to consider our place in history set to such stunning vocals?
SET LIST
"Me Yelassan"
"Tota Pulchra"
"El Suïcidi i el Cant"
"Safo"
"Las Alamedas"
MUSICIANS
Marta Torrella
Helena Ros
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Hannah Gluvna
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Alanté Serene
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Keren Carrion
Creative Designer: Jackie Lay
Tiny Desk Team: Maia Stern, Hazel Cills
globalFEST Team: Isabel Soffer, Bill Bragin, Shanta Thake, Zion Jackson, Ian Thake
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #tartarelena

[@RZMFestival]

please come do a concert at LA CELLERA DE TER you're music is very beautiful thank you

[@arnaus33]

Your

[@karletbolet]

També podrien passar per Ultramort.. Ara els hi pregunto.

[@marcauladell3863]

jajajajajaja 🙏 el de l'any passat va ser increïble ✨

[@rogerseroballesteros6092]

and then to tarragona please you like me a lot your music is veri emocionant!!

[@MrMachete12]

RERE! Tots cap a Banyoles!

[@javiermeza1544]

The first song SLAPs soooo hard. I was ready to risk it all, then I came to my senses.

[@Korensun]

Never heard of them before, thank you Tiny Desk for bringing these two amazing women, this has to be one of the coolest music gig I've ever listened to

[@michaelbardier88]

I've been working with Tarta Relena for about 2-3 years and they are the loveliest. Their live show is like no others and I feel fortunate to be working with them.

[@kevincartier5706]

That kind of a capella singing is not easy to do. Takes a lot of control and focus to pull it off. Well done ladies! Beautiful

[@karletbolet]

Sou increibles! No sabeu com em transportes les vostres veus. Em sonen a mar i a oliveres i també a vinyes vora el mar. Vaixells de la mediterrània creuant d'orient a occident recollint cants i històries antigues i llunyanes.

[@thesyebrex]

this makes me feel ready to conquer any army in front of this mortal soul

[@3top5]

Acapella Drone. Bass. Harmony. Really different. This is really difficult to do. Thank you. ❤❤❤ Thank you.

[@calbaladejo]

Tarta Relena are one of the most brilliant gems hidden in the Spanish / Catalan underground and now you are lucky enough to get to know them. 🖤

[@FoursWithin]

Such a mezmerizing spell these two enchantresses weave . Hauntingly BEAUTIFUL.

[@emptymycup]

Very well put, thank you ❤

[@Gino4842]

Wow, this is huge, I've just recently discovered Tarta Relena, for their song with El Pony Pisador, and I cannot stop listening to them, ever since. This live show is simply perfect, both Marta and Helena have an astonishing ability and behind this performance there are thousand of hours of reharsal, to achieve this level of perfection. Wow!!!!

[@oriolcolomefont2641]

Quin orgull, enhorabona! Us ho mereixeu tot.

[@user-un2xn6nu3o]

Thank you so much NPR for sharing a bit of Catalan music with the world!!

[@esmevelezt]

I'm so glad that this kind of spaces allow such great and innovative acts to get more visibility, specially with Tarta Relena because of their experimental approach to music and how this format let them show how their creative process develops.

[@amaliavet]

I'm speechless! Me Yelassan/Με γέλασαν: They just laughed at me/They tricked me. All songs are beautiful! Congratulations, Big hugs from Greece!

[@hlubielihle34]

you can feel that these two souls are connected.

[@carlesnovellas7546]

beautiful vase playing

[@DocSineBell]

Oh my god I was not expecting them to do a tiny desk. This is amazing!

[@nicolam4513]

When I close my eyes, I hear more than two singers.❤

[@johnvoit9629]

When I close my ears, I see two singers.

[@MatSmithLondon]

I love the hemiolic rhythms in compound time, the interesting harmonic modes, the energy, it’s all amazing. I’d love to hear more

[@sofiallovetferre]

Literalment he plorat d’emoció amb la cançó de la Safo, l’arranjament amb el gerro i els canvis de personatge és preciós 😭❤️‍🩹

[@tracymainwaring3178]

Wow. What amazing timbre matching, unison, harmonies, etc. Incredible!

[@13thHeaven]

Estas chicas son el mayor talento que ha salido de España en las últimas décadas. Tremendamente infravaloradas. Ojalá este Tiny Desk les dé el crecimiento que merecen. Es un lujo escucharlas.

[@genispoch1479]

Són més catalanes que el cony de la Moreneta.

[@annaaymarmarcabru7655]

España no. CATALUNYA

[@13thHeaven]

@@annaaymarmarcabru7655 Son catalanas y, por tanto, españolas. ¿Cuál es el problema y por qué cada vez que cualquier catalán hace algo, aparecéis los de siempre a ensuciar las alabanzas que reciben, recalcando que son de "CATALUNYA" como si no fuese parte de España? Generáis rechazo a todo el mundo sin motivo alguno y no le hacéis ningún favor a Tarta Relena. Y tú, al menos, no insultas pero el de arriba, en un alarde de estulticia supina, sí. Y lamentablemente así son la mayoría. Es una vergüenza y lo que termináis consiguiendo es que el grupo al que pretendéis defender o usar para vuestras proclamas políticas, termine perdiendo muchísimo apoyo tanto nacional como internacional al ser visto y utilizado como propaganda política, consiguiendo que menos personas se interesen por su música y el gran talento que tienen no reciba todo el soporte que merece, tanto a nivel económico como social.

[@S.Shea2432]

I'm in awe. From Your voices, your Chemistry with one another, your music, your vibe, honestly everything is just absolutely, breathtakingly Beautiful!! 💜💜

[@ditrower8104]

Such beautiful voices! So pleased to have found them.

[@thesskep689]

Μπράβο κορίτσια. Outstanding work!

[@joaosilvaricardo5826]

Grande aplauso à Tarta Relena aqui de Lisboa; a vossa música é muito original e bonita. Faz-nos sonhar…

[@1986carolinaferreira]

🇵🇹 Espetacular!!!

[@MazontMusic]

The giggle after every song ‘!!

[@Dropthebeatonit]

i love this!

[@emptymycup]

Moving to tears with full life allowed to be felt. Thank you for the magic dear sisters 🌹💞🌹

[@markaprill6501]

Was not expecting that bass quality. Very cool. Was not expecting any of that.

[@13yc91]

goosebumps and tears in eyes and so sublime to have all the translations

[@angelbarrancocriado3366]

Maravilla, gracias

[@nav-unger]

Me ha encantado. Muchas gracias chicas..

[@paulbrooks7464]

Outstanding 😍

[@neusribasmoll]

Enhorabona!! Una meravella, com sempre.

[@elliotselmon7581]

Love it!!

[@octatonicgardenubirajarapi4978]

Wonderful sounds and music.

[@tori4toast]

OMG! thank you so much for featuring their music, their music is so incredible!!

[@makeperceive]

Outstanding.

[@pausubterrani]

Espectacular!!!!

[@emymunoz]

Hermoso! ❤

[@larousing]

Fan màgia, i més en directe. Felicitats noies!

[@ericgeneric135]

Excellent!

[@pol33_]

preciós! beautiful!

[@nboni100]

I'm so glad and proud to see you here!! sou genials, mooolts èxits i salut! 💜💜💜💜

[@kutlwanoletsoalo1912]

What the what 😮 this is insane❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MariaOdJezusa]

❤Super.Thank You :).

[@bassisterv]

INCREDIBLE

[@mikeymad]

Very moved by this - cheers

[@leslieurbina1447]

❤❤❤ amazing

[@verastegui88]

Espectacular ❤

[@genisbages5416]

Bravas!

[@ElRincondelbelen]

Precioso, Brabisimo!!

[@lalosour5274]

Wow! Increibles!

[@natasharowe3129]

Absolutely mesmerising!

[@VNoche]

Incredibly powerful. Their voices combine in a magical way and the added loops and sfx are unexpected and so exciting.

[@oooolivias]

Les millors❤❤

[@dieodd9866]

WOAW! WONDERFUL!

[@josepllop9676]

Fantàstic. ❤

[@elpuma70]

Incredible - -thank you!

[@_C_T_C_]

El caganer ❤️

[@lleomartimarti6859]

Grans❤

[@aaronedgeart]

Fantastic.

[@dungngoctran6274]

So wonderful music!

[@rhortac]

Glorioses ❤

[@michaellyons949]

Marvelous....

[@Empty6Pack.cassettes]

Felicitats Tarta Relena! M’ha emocionat profundament el vostre concert ❤❤❤❤❤

[@josep.maria.b]

Gallina de pell !!! Enhorabona per l'èxit, me'n alegro que us hi hagin convidat. Feu una música fantàstica🧡👏👏👏

[@mattiasimoniello1150]

i'm amazed thanks tiny desk!

[@todaviaregi]

Maravelloses e inspiradores. Molt feliç d'haver vos descobert!

[@paulwhetstone0473]

OUTSTANDING IN EVERY WAY!💋💋

[@ancoraedanza3854]

Muy bravas, siempre!

[@eurasiervondendreiexen2648]

Wonderful

[@indeestar1111]

I absolutely LOVE this! ❤❤❤

[@sweetspicypepper]

This much eye-contact - I could never. Beautiful performance! 💜

[@masacalor6]

Bravo bravo bravo!!! que sou increibles!!!!

[@claudiaprt]

amb el caganer i vestides d'Aurembiaix... son les millors

[@meltchild]

Isso é insano, que talento e que sintonia! Love from Brasil

[@KressF]

Amazing performance, bravo!

[@13yc91]

the absolute best

[@rockugotcha]

That urn sounds magic.

[@nurianet1592]

love the caganer, love the bump

[@GrahameFRC]

Wonderful.

[@Adica100]

🎉🎉🎉🎉 grans!!

[@chantbyheart]

amazing talent and vocal skills in original music, love it

[@robhickford9169]

Extraordinary. Two people with a true musical connection. And well done to NPR for promoting this. Geniuses all..

[@thiagomenteselvagem3462]

Que som!!!! Muito bom!!! Um salve do BraSil.

[@hailynewma9122]

sublime

[@nickesposito584]

απίστευτο, ο Me Yelassan είναι υπέροχος. Τις καλύτερες ευχές μου! unbelievable, Me Yelassan is great. best wishes!

Merci pour cette superbe découverte.

[@felipecastrorosales3553]

Impresionante.

[@alvarovinuela6027]

SOIS LAS MEJORES !!!!!!!!!!

[@bridgette9229]

Brilliant 💪🏾💐🫶🏽

[@lubayart]

Mesmerizing!

[@claudiap1368]

Visca valtros! Pell de gallina, gracies Helena i Marta!

[@sim_art]

Nice!!!

[@marcvallois8984]

Elles sont belles et leurs voix sont magnifiques duos très riches bravo 👏👏👏 🙏🙏❤️🥰

[@marcosbartolome6648]

són ben boges me les estimo

[@martiboucat]

Sou unes feres! 🤘