Youth Lagoon NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Updated November 23, 2015 by ROBIN HILTON
Trevor Powers, the songwriter and frontman of Youth Lagoon, has never attempted to hide his navel-gazing anxieties. On his 2011 debut (The Year Of Hibernation) and its 2013 followup (Wondrous Bughouse), Powers documents a lifetime of existential crises with swirling questions about spirituality, mortality and his own mental state. Powers has also looked the part, appearing in photos and on stage wearing oversize pop-bottle glasses, with slumped shoulders and a mop of disheveled hair.
Youth Lagoon's latest album, Savage Hills Ballroom, doesn't obliterate this image - Powers still searches for answers to life's biggest questions - but it's by far Youth Lagoon's most powerful, purposeful, confident work. The songs are expansive, self-assured and exquisitely produced.
It's a shift you can see and hear in Youth Lagoon's Tiny Desk performance. In person, Powers is poised, appearing almost joyful at times. The glasses are gone, the hair's under control, and his idiosyncratic voice is far less fragile, in part because he (like nearly every artist who's graced the Tiny Desk) had to fill the room without the benefit of singing through an amp.
Youth Lagoon treated the office to two songs from the new album: the heartbreaking tale of addiction "Kerry," as well as "Rotten Human," a meditation on the passage of time and search for purpose in life. And, as if to give a nod to his twitchy beginnings, Powers included "July," a wistful reflection on youth and regret from the band's debut.
Savage Hills Ballroom is available now.
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/bli...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Blind-Brave-The...
Set List
"Kerry"
"July"
"Rotten Human"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Walker, Julia Reihs; Production Assistant: Kate Drozynski; Photo by Julia Reihs/NPR
For more Tiny Desk Concerts, subscribe to our podcast:
www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti...

[@wakeup8787]

My brother and I met Trevor right before a festival. We were trying to find the entrance. He was too lol. Super nice guy. Shook his hand and told him we were looking forward to his show. He pointed at us during the concert and it was a really nice memory my brother and reminisce from time to time.

[@JustinSlick]

I wish I could personally thank him for the three YL albums. I know I'm not alone in this, but those albums meant so much to me.

[@imanalien1347]

Justin Slick Ik. They're really something else.

[@junzi44]

DUDE. His music is too important to me to put in to words. Bless his creative genius

[@Pepperoni_Ice_Cream]

Beach House and Trevor Powers saved my life. All of their releases brought me through some really dark times. I’m 49 tomorrow, and I’m glad to say I get to see 49 because of them.

[@karsynavery5703]

I dont mean to be off topic but does anyone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow forgot the account password. I love any assistance you can give me!

[@kasemekhi6802]

@Karsyn Avery instablaster ;)

[@carolwang3129]

Revisiting this in 2023 after watching their recent KEXP set... still loving their old songs so much ❤. Beautiful...

[@5k33k]

Since it isn't already listed in the video, the names of the performers are: Trevor Powers - Vocals/Keys Richie Figgs - Bass Ben Jones - Guitar Ukiah Bogle - Drums Super big thanks to Chris from their management team for their help!

[@bryanty56]

Saw Trevor for the 3rd time in SF a couple weeks ago. The guy just gets it. Year or Hibernation was a masterpiece.

[@saintsataniko2116]

Absolutely brilliant. It's so rare to find a truly unique voice and such beautifully crafted songs. Artists like this do not come along often.

[@Abigpuppy]

Yeah his music was super unique. It's really unfortunate that he said Youth Lagoon is over but at least we have three albums to enjoy.

[@fran6b]

Absolutely agreed.

[@joaoslb111]

Kerry - 00:00 July - 4:17 Rotten Human - 9:00

[@dylancheatwood-cozart6438]

João Coelho Appreciate it!

[@sammohseni100]

'Rotten Human' is just astonishing, one of the few songs of 2015 that really, deeply touched me. His new album is very under-appreciated in my opinion, it's beautiful!

[@fettyblap4436]

You can see him giving it 100%. He really belts and it must be very strenuous. Such a unique talent, was fortunate enough to see him live in a small show after Year of Hibernation but the venue mixing was off and it was tough to hear him. Also a speaker blew up. You gotta respect someone who is so clearly into their own art. He takes risk after risk and shows a more vulnerable side than almost any artist I've heard.

[@HotPepperGaming]

I love this so much. Got to catch YL at the Fonda a week or two ago. Feelings were had.

[@PityPitMusic]

+Hot Pepper Gaming You like Youth Lagoon? Sweet dude! Savage Hills Ballroom is great!

[@PacoBernal]

wow, that voice is on the edge of something - I love it.

[@hannahrethmeier6494]

Nothing gets as good as this. Truly the albums that got me through the toughest moments.

[@jennywatson4529]

He truly is a magnificent artist. Very in touch with his emotions and knows exactly how he wants to portray them when performing.

[@criacriaturas]

Yeah

[@nataliedelgado9017]

July means so much to me

[@DanielaHernandez-cb9bn]

Yes omg

[@FakeFriendsForever]

I live for that song. It saved me.

[@radbuc]

I'm still here in quarantine 2020, and we need Youth Lagoon now more than ever

[@junzi44]

same :)

[@babyshrimp2655]

his voice is something else

[@crystalh4201]

he goes by his name now trevor powers and has released two albums since under the name :)

[@erikreyes7162]

They are back 😊

[@lspliffy]

saw him in oxford,ms. such a good performer. i really feel like that their live performances are almost more entrancing and powerful than their recorded stuff. especially the way he sings rotten human

[@LONDONFIELDS2001]

Not sure why, but when I hear July it conjures an almost perfect image of america. Of youth. I am a British who has never been.

[@jaimelopez4070]

This is sad 😞

[@MikeJ2525]

Same with me. It reminds of summers here in Utah back in highschool. Special times. Wish I could relive them.

[@cr2372]

Goodbye Youth Lagoon.

[@FakeFriendsForever]

I said I loved you, but I had to cut you loose.

[@0Chelle0]

I'm waving... and crying... Trevor return to us with something new!

[@WrathofTron]

Let me tell you about a little album that came out today called "Mulberry Violence."

[@GenuineIntention]

It wasn’t a goodbye, it was just a see you later 👋🙏🙌

[@Louis-uj6yy]

They were so good in Brussels, also he is a very kind man who smoked a sigaret with his fans afterwards.

[@SteventheThorn]

Someone just introduced me to Youth Lagoon and I am more than impressed.

[@FakeFriendsForever]

This haircut is awesome.

[@miguelangelvazquezroque3791]

He´s voice is completely diferent from when he talks as to when he sings, this is why y love singing! :D

[@andreacavaliere884]

I found his music by accident last year. Man, I’m am I p--d off. Wish I was listening to this years ago when it came out. Awesome, on another level and more. Mulberry violence is a masterpiece. How can someone be sooooo talented?!?!

[@odeio.presunto]

i miss him

[@jdynnmt]

one of the few artists that can bring tears to my eyes just by listening to them ❤️✨

[@thetravisgreene]

Don't know if I've seen anything on KZbin as powerful as his JULY performance. FUck

[@lawrencecook9300]

Saw them at Treefort on their last tour. Such great emotions.

[@MyBeautifulHealth]

be still.

[@antoniodiaz3184]

Thank you, Trevor.

[@libraryofthelabyrinth]

I always always come back to youth lagoon 💙

[@LoganHastyart]

Trevor powers released three new songs everybody if you did not know!!!!!!:) soooo good!!!!!!

[@halt.halt.halt.]

Cat Person yeah. The record drops August 17th!

[@FachyMarin]

Trevor Powers, thanks for existing you magnificent human!

[@jakegreen7553]

blows my mind this only has 133k views at this time... everyone should hear this beautiful performance

[@falafelbleuh]

You know that thing where people don't look at all like they sound? I dunno, maybe it's just me.. but this is a prime example of that. Still love the music though!

[@pgmcanalla]

+falafelbleuh is because he sounds like anybody else...

[@zack3c]

hopefully you meant he doesnt*

[@mochi_kun_isobe]

素晴らしくて言葉にならない。僕はYouth Lagoonを初めて聴いたときに直ぐsigur rosとかkyteを連想したんですが、今はもう完全に違いますね。Youth Lagoon以外の何者でもない。sigur rosがそうであるように、ジャンルさえもYouth Lagoonと呼びたいくらい。

[@jalexseva4190]

Childhood

[@goodtimesphotographyco.7112]

Can’t wait to experience this on 10/10 😻

[@BarronVonSchnoot]

Absolutely killer live vocals. Dare I say better than the album.

[@WillLangston]

Listening in 2019

[@soulkiss7297]

not alone

[@EnjoyerofYoutube]

perfect voice.

[@kyledruen9843]

My question is where can I get My paper cameras faces in a magazine album??? My favorite album in high school and no longer exists anywhere

[@gobsdeadove]

Such a good sound!

[@eastonnguyen5346]

Okay. Who else read the description and just said "Damn, spot on."?

[@PHANTASTIKMUSIK]

July ♥

[@babyshrimp2655]

his voice blows me away. alt j gives me the same vibes.

[@joshmcbride2713]

Such a unique voice. Lucky.

[@BigZ7337]

I really enjoyed this, although I hope with him singing so high, live performances like this can be a little rough at times, even though I like his voice. Also, your links are wrong, they both go to The Wild Reeds - Blind and Brave.

[@juliuscaes3r448]

Anyone think this version of Rotten Human is better?

[@Bixxblue]

I think your iTunes link is wrong. Leads to "The Wild Reeds" album, Blind and Brave. ?

[@georgearmour52]

so great

[@apeirofobia]

Love him c:

[@Anthony-pj5kf]

Legendary

[@deepakkodwani420]

amazing

[@artursouzadosreis8291]

Um BR esteve aqui......2018.

[@criacriaturas]

🇧🇷

[@ottoss9092]

Anyone know where I can get his jacket?

[@WorkingOnTitle]

Can anybody name the microphone they recorded the vocals with ? I really enjoyed the quality and overall sound :)

[@ugisja]

+WorkingOnTitle Looks like a sennheiser. But i don't know for shure.

[@WorkingOnTitle]

+Uģis Jansons :D :D :D

[@imaginarytube]

+WorkingOnTitle Sennheiser MKH 418-S

[@WorkingOnTitle]

+imaginarytube thank you very much !

[@MrOrangeutan]

+Uģis Jansons I see what you did there

[@LONDONFIELDS2001]

Soooooo good

[@thepinkastronaut3990]

Damn he is good

[@s.manthha]

wow

[@sergiocarreiras1788]

come back YL

[@midniteforty]

How am i just seeing dis rn bruh

[@MyNameIsDavification]

If you ever need any suggestions, catfish and the bottlemen, Royal Blood and foals wood be great in setting! And maybe Florence. And glass animals... And Jamie T too :)

[@dominikschmitt6234]

finally !!!

[@EricMazariegos]

Omg 😍😍😍😍

[@gavink8187]

Who is the bass player?

[@emokidCAC]

Richie Figgs

[@d.j.cantelli8074]

Is this just the greatest!?

[@lourdesgyan]

What's the song playing at the end credits? ❤❤

[@penelopepegg7834]

Lowkey gives me Julien Baker vibes. I like it.

[@georgearmour52]

so fucking good

[@goncalomba9661]

😍❤❤

[@alexp4681]

Only 127k views of this is an atrocity

[@BobSmith-zl5bq]

Daniel Johnston? Is that you?

[@DoctorSquires]

Is that a tattoo of Idaho on his forearm?

[@maverik736]

Dr. Squires yassum

[@EdDanMV]

Es Fito Paez de joven :)

[@patrickkelsey5861]

uh can you say underfuckingrated

[@imbonniefox]

wooooooo!!!!!!

[@fellok7105]

Who disliked this?

[@J_ay_Z]

The guitarist on the right looks like jesus

[@marisolheredia6256]

I mean come on Trevor powers...youth lagoon. Just stop listening to my thoughts....🤔

[@ckawgoproductionsk199]

Does he sing in the released videos? it sounds os different?

[@videomaker2]

he looks like boxxy

[@criacriaturas]

Whats dat

[@gaternkt]

On Spotify,July (maybe others I haven’t heard yet) he sounds like a woman because of the echo thing on his voice in post production

[@P4PKing]

Paul Denino

[@jesse4o8]

please no...

[@P4PKing]

cx

[@ericafisette160]

We win BIIIIIIG! 🏆 🏆✝️🌈💎🇺🇸🍕

[@MaximeBlabla]

[@fionariches3694]

Lick the paint from off the ground

[@chiefswiftwater3750]

Fan-fukin-tastic

[@user-kd4mi8xb7p]

Cx

[@jdmedina]

Pee Wee Herman's side project

[@ikoikjji5548]

im not a huge fan of the singers voice it sounds strained and pained and kinda creepy honestly, no hate but still not my jam