The Weather Station: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Jan. 8, 2018 | Bob Boilen -- The Weather Station's fourth (and self-titled) album was a constant companion for me in 2017, in no small part for the song that opens the band's Tiny Desk performance. It's called "Thirty" and in less than four minutes and nearly 400 words, singer Tamara Lindeman paints images of joy intertwined with the awaking jolt of turning thirty.
The dollar was down
But my friends opened businesses
There were new children
And again, I didn't get married
I wasn't close to my family
And my dad was raising a child in Nairobi
She was three now, he told me
The musicians in The Weather Station underpin these words with delicate playing and by sitting quietly but poigntantly under Tamara Lindeman's beautiful voice. Her soft voice shifts pitch with a rapid flow in a Joni Mitchell-sort of way, never coming up in volume more than a quiet, table conversation level.
On "Free," a song Tamara Lindeman describes as about being both free and not free at the same time, there's restraint in the voice and a release in the powerful guitar chords. That tension and release is an essential element to The Weather Station's sound and one of the joys I've found listening to their enchanting music.
Set List
"Thirty"
"You and I (On the Other Side of the World)"
"Free"
MUSICIANS
Tamara Lindeman (guitar, vocals), Ben Whiteley (bass), Ian Kehoe (drums), William Kidman (guitar)
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Alyse Young; Production Assistant: Salvatore Maicki; Photo: Jennifer Kerrigan/NPR
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast.

[@tomi1865]

This IS the best drum version I've heard. This is what the drummer should do when she plays it in concert.

[@morganmedea1680]

The Weather Station is just one of the many bands that makes me proud to be Canadian! You can really hear home in this band

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

Y'all don't need to come live in the US anymore. That is good.

[@eddiemoir2572]

@@doitnowvideosyeah5841 Thankfully border is closed to keep out the Yanks

[@jimalice1]

Never heard them before. She has such a beautiful voice. Love the Silvertone too.

[@alabastermontague6841]

Joni is Joni, and nobody else is Joni, but nobody makes songs with the lyrical complexity and depth right now as Tams.

[@12DanB]

I can't tell what's more beautiful, Tamara's voice or her Silvertone

[@joemurray2523]

nice vibes of Joni Mitchell from her!

[@Milsj81]

Joe Murray yes, I get that vibe too!!

[@mikemerrill4073]

Joe Murray I was just gonna post the same thing. Very similar

[@clairbear1234]

Yes exactly!

[@jfound1]

that lyric - 'gas came down, from a buck twenty'..... gorgeous!! Tom Waits is jealous. Deep bows for the writing.

[@nthroop1]

Never seen so much hate in these comments for a drummer that's doing nothing but holdin it down

[@kylesquance824]

That kid is a monster. Her entire band is unreal. So tight.

[@ShafeekZakko]

so much hate? lmao some people love to exaggerate.

[@tasiatalbert6854]

Honestly speaking, this band is very cool. all these mainstream pop music requests need to stop. NPR has a knack for finding special yet underrated talent. These comments are confusing. but i agree, bring Hiatus kaiyote on here!

[@5k33k]

Fun Fact! The bassist and drummer, Ben Whiteley and Ian Kehow respectively, have actually been on Tiny Desk before with Julia Jacklin back in 2017, in fact, Ben is playing literally the same bass in both videos!

[@ansem6167]

Wow finally found her i remember being a kid growing up in canada watching guinevere jones on tv and cant find episodes anywhere glad to see tamaras doin well :)

[@gunnarg58]

I personally see a lot of soul coming out of that drummer.

[@pugsofwrath3578]

I just saw them in concert and they are just as amazing, if not better.

[@eyepod1967]

Tiny desk is so brilliant, the quality of the sound and the quality of the acts is always superb. So, to realise that The Weather Station, a band I only discovered a few weeks, are on here, has made my day. There is a Midlake, other worldly feel about them, also Dire Straits and War On Drugs.

[@ericlewis77]

An excellent poet and musician combo.💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

[@snoworder]

my favourite artist of 2017, so beautiful and cheering album

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

snoworder heard Loyalty?

[@snoworder]

yes, I like this one much more)

[@franstroth1423]

What a magical performance and beautiful songs! Receiving Laura Marling, This is the Kit and Joni Mitchell vibes... Drummer is fascinating too, saw him perform with Julia Jacklin. Hope they will come to Europe sometime soon!

[@mugui]

so beautiful

[@caryf.goldman1770]

Timeless sounds, the kinda music you just don't worn out of. Cary says keep makin more!

[@monsieurschrackel8936]

Wow, shes great!

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Love Tamara! Her previous album, Loyalty, was one of my favorites of that year and her latest is great too. I kept coming back to Loyalty. With some much new music (and new discoveries of old music) few albums get the repeated listenens they deserves. I think there was some nice strings on the new album.

[@geoffwalton118]

I will tell my friends about this artist. Great writer! Band sounds great too!

[@ArthurDhaeyerMusic]

I can hear some Dire Straits and Jeff Buckley influence ! Also very soothing and sensual vocals, great discovery !

[@kennybob3096]

She was at a festival in Toronto last year, she wasn't playing that day. Walked up to her and started talking. Very friendly woman.

[@ifgona133]

NPRは私にとっては、新しい、素晴らしい曲の発掘現場。 ステキな曲

[@ammarruda]

0:00 Thirty 4:20 You and I (On the Other Side of the World) 9:14 Free

[@ildiko1vt]

emanating Laura Marling along with some Mitchell

[@laviejataperaproduc.3890]

muy bueno saludos desde argentina buenos aires

[@jimbobbeer6642]

Must be up there as one of the best female vocalists of all time? Whole band oozes talent too.

[@SlimSh8E]

Excellent!!!!

[@sterlinglouis1316]

Soooooo good

[@raleydelk3541]

Love it!!! Dream of playing my originals there one day

[@MedSou]

great voice & music ❤

[@mariannakougioumtzi5041]

exceptionall voice,very nice group

[@adrianleal5659]

chill stuff! good job Weather Station

[@nathantetzlaff5421]

Who else thought this said The Weather Report and thought the great Jaco Pastorious was raised from the dead for a tiny desk performance? Just me? Ok.

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Nathan Tetzlaff I almost always have accidentially typed Report instead of Station when I have searched for them on say spotify

[@chimpansi2]

Thanks, very nice👌🏼 Cheers from Sweden!

[@z4fir]

I request Moonchild to be on Tiny Desk Concert.

[@Ramen4Days]

For real, I've played a bunch of those Silvertones, and never had one sound as nice as that one

[@deash1961]

Love this performance what a great chill band and the drummer is doing a great job so why the hate?

[@george00719]

I'm an RnB guy but I like this ..she's great..I mean they are great!

[@emmamelanson3556]

awesome!!! saw you guys in sackville and now you're here on npr!

[@JaffaRoad]

Great work everyone!

[@gabrielepumo9784]

She sounds a lot like a fellow canadian that just happens to be the greatest songwriter ever.

[@theruinz]

Heard you on CBC the other day. Sounding good, keep it up!!

[@mishaplotnick6129]

Oddly she sound just like herself... I don't get anyone else just Hope and she's more than enough.

[@tantrungful]

good voice :)

[@orange1326]

I’m waiting for my weather report and I still haven’t gotten it

[@monoshock57]

Dark tonight and light tomorrow.

[@sthoverthere]

you beat me to it..

[@gunnarg58]

Right on

[@jmdbb]

When is Daniel Romano going to be on Tiny Desk??

[@brookeisloom]

tamara

[@ColinWeeks]

yayyyyy go tamara :)

[@llLittleNicky]

She sounds just like Joni Mitchell...

[@Pearls_Have_Eyes]

looks like she uses open tunings like her too

[@llLittleNicky]

@@Pearls_Have_Eyes I’m sure Joni Mitchell was a big inspiration for this woman’s music. Just glad there’s still music like this being made tbh.

[@cultivatedjerk5574]

Not a fan of the censorship, but it's still awesome.

[@jordansaintemarie]

Now that’s a wholesome woman

[@tomajortom]

Father John Misty please!

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

I was wondering why there was no ”advisory” in the beginning. Then I heard, as I thought, she changed ”I noticed fucking everything” to ”truly everything”.

[@trishasmith6468]

Her voice sounds like Jewel, but with more talent :-)

[@jordansaintemarie]

Trisha Smith I don’t know, jewel has incredible control and range. They are just different.

[@kj2366]

and now the weather...

[@sweetgoose]

6 years too late but I applied you for the nightvale comment

[@silvesta5027]

Gud stuff my dudes

[@adelinerines7776]

Get Hiatus Kaiyote on!

[@MoogerTuber]

This is a bit like Fiona Apple but with an Americana vibe and without the balls. I like it.

[@nanasouliman]

GET HAIM PLEASE. THANKS

[@ShakyTroubadour]

When are you having me there NPR? haha jokes aside ! one day maybe I love the concept of this.

[@joshuafidel8395]

Rainbow Kitten Surprise next..!

[@sarahhewitt668]

Reminds me of Yori Swart

[@explore5323]

paula cole vibes?

[@Itsnotcarmelo]

Angela from The Office side gig?

[@juhis1593]

Carmelo lol I was thinking just the same :'-D The band is great tho!

[@JulianFernandez]

This lady is much hotter though...

[@joedyer1785]

Carmelo iiiii

[@redxiiiproductions2150]

Totally feelin the Joni vibes! Lovin the music. If you wanna hear some Canadian music check out our page.

[@GuillaumeThomas]

Jorja Smith ~

[@thedude6734]

FIRST COMMENT #NotVeryGoodButIAmStillProudBecasueIDontHaveMuchJoyInLife

[@Funstead]

the drummer looks like Jonathan from Stranger Things

[@ImCerealSuperDuperCereal]

555

[@paulholland4776]

Love her, love them, beautiful music, Joni influence, but that’s great, and honourable. When are you coming to UK?

[@matt00794]

do they just really want to get on welcome to night vale?

[@mintynovember8458]

If I was wearing the same top as the drummer. I would be that angry

[@omar9029]

Where's Daniel Caesar ? Please !

[@platajonathan4764]

Los GROWLERS. Plzzzzzz

[@klijnsmitguitars2979]

I never heard of you guys. I don`t believe in the concept of being a fan but consider me a great appreciator of your music from now on! I put you guys in my spotify list with nice mellow songs.

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

Klijnsmit Guitars a fan is a person who has an admiration for a particular person or thing. So...you’re a fan. Sorry to burst your obscure bubble.

[@klijnsmitguitars2979]

Haha, I just don`t like how some people worship other people. I respect and admire people and their craft as equals! :D

[@Pearls_Have_Eyes]

joni mitchell vibes

[@annenonymous2574]

who’s in the band? look like folks from a julia jack lin’s band.

[@colinsweeney5147]

Stepsister from planet weird

[@rapmusic1811]

Hey NPR, you guys did another Tiny Desk Concert with Julien Baker recently which was fantastic. It's on the site, but why hasn't it been uploaded to KZbin?

[@juhis1593]

Keith Dwyer I think that they allways post these on youtube few days later than on the website.

[@alftupper9359]

That's the freshest riff I've heard in quite some time there at the start of 'Thirty'.....Oh! and then that Tele tone! I'm liking this a lot. Any sharp muso able to identify that amp rear at 5:05 please?!

[@stationweather]

Garnet Session Man!

[@edwardduff9971]

This drummer must be local? Think I've seen him on this a few times

[@freddysmitherson9797]

Yeah, I know he toured with Andy Shauf, and I've seen him on some other tiny desk, but I can't think of which one

[@ColinWeeks]

he's her boyfriend!

[@wirz39]

Ian Kehoe! Plays with a handful of Canadian groups. Go check out Attack in Black if you haven't already!!

[@stefanomontali4526]

Julia Jacklin's drummer as well!

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Colin Weeks really? Otherwise sad story about her ex which she touched on her last album

[@friedpotatoes4321]

These songs are really drawing me in, I'd love to hear a more acoustic arrangement, like maybe with just guitar & cello or something. I especially wish that snare drum would ease up a bit, it's a tad overbearing.

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

fried potatoes she brought more stuff in with this album. Her previous are a bit more light, or...rootsy

[@ericlewis77]

💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

[@kai2391]

Waiting for Daniel Caesar

[@bpalpha]

I notice 🤐 everything. 😖

[@RickyAssid]

You should get Twenty One Pilots to do some songs!

[@christinerussell8508]

Her voice reminds me of some other singer

[@samuelstocher5391]

I bet the drummer is gonna get serious problems with his back pretty soon, haha lol

[@lithjunkie]

YES!

[@TuckNTroll]

Post maloneeeee

[@sterlinglouis1316]

I demand Devendra Banhart or more Jake Bugg

[@rick4255]

Rex orange county please

[@martytheboy9416]

Love this but why is Tamara dressed like she is going for a job interview

[@servusgeschaeft2]

If so, I'd say "You're hired!" It is being professional. The old saying is you're better to be overdressed than underdressed. I'd rather see a band in nicer clothes than in ripped and crumpled outfits if it improves their image with their audiences.

[@jordansaintemarie]

She’s wearing a super classy vintage suit dress. It’s amazing. Maybe you just don’t get it.

[@BenedictHarris]

HURRAY!

[@joeryckebosch8609]

drummer is creepin' me out a little bit.

[@ImCerealSuperDuperCereal]

How?

[@greyarea1004]

Shuuuuuut it weirdo

[@spoocyguy]

0:48 da fuq?

[@MaximGolovlev]

well, at least he can keep a beat

[@draft1643]

lol

[@treazure]

Just recently discovered The Weather Station. LOVE the music and the art of the videos, but the lead singer... I feel her way of singing/voice ruins a lot of the songs. I understand she's the main creative one of all the songs, but imho they need a different lead vocal and the sound would be perfect. just my opinion and taste though. Would be cool to have instrumental only versions of all their songs.

[@Mezurashii5]

>Opens video >skips a minute ahead >hears 4 out of tune notes by the vocalist in the span of 15 seconds >"Yeah, no thanks"

[@willounet]

Get your ears checked dude. Quick!

[@homosexualpanic]

> Opens video > Scrolls down to read comments > Comes across this one > shakes head and remembers why I hate reading comments

[@servusgeschaeft2]

First of all, some of the vocals are deliberately done in an almost speaking voice. Second, human beings are not perfect. Go listen to some rap or something less tonal.

[@jakehopgood7446]

that's sad