Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine: Tiny Desk Concert

Bob Boilen | August 12, 2022
I'd been entertained and enchanted by the many of the 150 or so small concerts Andrew Bird performed on Instagram during the pandemic. Then I heard his new album, Inside Problems, and invited him to the desk. It had been six years since his first Tiny Desk performance, which was with a band; this time, I wanted an intimate solo performance. He and Iron & Wine's Sam Beam were becoming friends and touring together, and Andrew's idea was to have Sam perform on the final tune. But as they played together night after night on tour, that one song turned into four, and an Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine Tiny Desk was born.

Sam Beam is no stranger to the desk either. His first concert was a solo show in 2011, when the series was just a few years old. He returned with Calexico in 2019.

The two of them together are playful, poking fun at one another. "We started learning each other's songs," Andrew says, "I love Sam's writing" — to which Sam retorts, "I love your handwriting." The silly smiles launch them into the Iron & Wine song "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" from 2007.

An absolute favorite moment is when they perform Andrew Bird's "Left Handed Kisses," performed originally as a duet with Fiona Apple and remade here with serious fun by our dynamic duo.

This concert occurred near the end of a nearly 30-city tour postponed by COVID. The two met in the waters of Yosemite in 2021, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more from this musical friendship in the years to come.

SET LIST
"Make a Picture"
"Flightless Bird, American Mouth"
"Left Handed Kisses"
"Orpheo Looks Back"

MUSICIANS
Andrew Bird: vocals, violin, guitar, loop pedals
Sam Beam: guitar, vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer/Series Creator: Bob Boilen
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Director: Kara Frame
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Editor: Michael Zamora
Videographers: Kara Frame, Michael Zamora, Pierre Kattar
Production Assistants: Jill Britton, Alanté Serene, Joby Tanseco
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer, Maia Stern
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #AndrewBird #IronAndWine

[davidmacshelton]

Andrew, I am Lynn Shelton's father. Tears are welling up in my eyes as I listen to you and Sam. Lynn would be so, so happy to hear and see you play. And the tears come from knowing how much I miss her and I'd love to be with her then. One of the most joyful moments in Lynn's life as a filmmaker happened during the spring of 2017 when she spent a week with you as you composed the score for her touching, exquisitely created film OUTSIDE IN. She telephoned me then and described her ecstasy while working with you.

[giulialardini]

Hi Tiny Desk producers, I think I'm in love with you.

[Pantifo]

Andrew Bird should be a household name. His music has helped me past so many different phases in my life, and none of it ever feels dated. Musical genius.

[HvetterMusic]

wowsers ! Andrew's violin playing is just heaven

[quique]

True story. I started listening to Iron&Wine in 2006ish. I went backpacking in 2008 and ended up on the road traveling Latin America for the next 7 years, and Iron & Wine was there in my headphones the whole time. It reminds me of bus rides and joy, tents, jungles, deserts, lakes, ocean, skies, saguaro cactus, freedom, strangers, hostels, ukeleles, and love. A real soundtrack to my whole life, and I am so, so thankful.

[BD-lqid]

Both these men's music has had a profound effect on my life.

[JimPriest]

Not sure who does the sound engineering on these but you don't get enough thanks. That violin tone is just beautiful.

[behzadaziz]

Tiny Desk is on point lately with Einaudi, Regina Spektor and now Iron and Wine. Thanks!

[Garcia]

The violin on Flightless Bird is hauntingly amazing.

[spotteddogmemphis]

Andrew Bird should be much more famous. Dude is amazing.

[oleksandrkaleniuk]

Andrew is so talented it's frightening.

[davidoffbeat]

"Make a Picture" - 0:00
"Flightless Bird, American Mouth" - 4:55
"Left Handed Kisses" - 9:38
"Orpheo Looks Back" - 13:01

[AndreBehrens]

What a pleasure to have two of my favorite musicians playing together, happily. And it works.

[ronnie]

they really embody their names like yessir that looks like an andrew bird and an iron and wine so true

[waxl]

Imagine your first exposure to these two icons is through this video. What an introduction that would be. Thank you NPR.

[stephaniemccullough]

I don’t know how it took me a year to see this but I’m so happy this randomly was suggested to me - absolutely beautiful

[suzychen]

This version of Left Handed Kisses gives completely different feelings. Wow.

[jen]

Their music got me through some of the loneliest times in my life over a decade ago. So lovely to see them performing together.

[mountainhobbit]

it would be so cool if these two came up with an album together. maybe someday?

[koenverloon]

Andrew looks like he just woke up to a bright light in the middle of the night