Shakey Graves: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

December 15, 2015 by BOB BOILEN
When Alejandro Rose-Garcia, aka Shakey Graves, breaks out his guitar and suitcase kick drum/hi-hat, a palpable rush of swooning adrenaline hits the room. I felt that at the Americana Festival in Nashville, at the Newport Folk Festival and here at the Tiny Desk.

The Texas singer's charisma is matched by his warm, sometimes frenetic music — he attempted a stage dive at the Tiny Desk — which mixes country, blues and rock 'n' roll. If you don't know Shakey Graves' music, the best way to fall in love with him is in a live setting like this one.

And the War Came is available now.

Set List
"To Cure What Ails"
"The Perfect Parts"
"Only Son"

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Walker, Julia Reihs; Production Assistant: Kate Drozynski; Photo by Julia Reihs/NPR

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[burpitola]

this is what country music should be like. pure, geniune Americana, unfiltered and raw. Emotional and charming, and completely free of the "style-over-substance" that plagues modern country music. Thank you for making music that allows me to say "I like country" without any shame.

[sbar]

I love the way Shakey Graves can make the same song sound drastically different. Reminds me of old bands that would allow people to set up recording equipment at their shows to get copies of that "one awesome performance".

[thoraxe]

Don't get me wrong, it's great to see shakey playing with others, but holy shit, he's so intense alone. That audiotree performance.

[Mosey]

Best version of Perfect Parts he ever recorded.

[ryantaylor]

I can’t get enough of these concerts. Brilliant audio engineering. Camera work is great too.

[JaynusHerschel]

8:10 you can see how pleased Shakey is that his drummer (and band) was astute enough to remain on his wavelength.

[geoffadkins]

Im so glad I stumbled upon this guy. Dont even have words to describe how amazing he is.

[cometome]

This rendition of The Perfect Parts is absolutely amazing

[DIGITALMedia]

1. The video quality is always amazing with these sessions
2. The microphones are just...unbelievable
3. I wish I could just listen to music all day.

[bwalk_]

The version of “The Perfect Parts” was absolutely amazing

[tehpwnerer]

This is by far one of the best tiny desk concerts to date

[thehairysun]

That first song is the best version of mandolin hits my soul hard...love you guys

[jodylowe]

There is still great stuff like this out there to be discovered. You will never find it on the radio anymore tho. You have find it. Guys like this are too talented to be on the radio.

[JeremiahObediah]

That really young looking guitar player is just a fucking fantastic folk backup singer. Hot damn. I wanna sing with him.

[chriseast]

man, at 13:58 when they stop and shakey waves to his band, then stares into the camera with a smile before starting back up in full chorus gets me everytime.

[Etakon.]

I just noticed they all have matching tattoos. Sweet!

[nullnixxie]

He warmed up for Thehead and the Heart last summer at Meadowbrook Mi. So glad we got there in time to see him! I had never heard of him but he blew us away! What a talent.

[doctorstrainlove]

He always looks like he's fresh off a bender when he performs.. so haunting in the best way possible.

[SnBirdz]

I've seen Shakey 4 times live and every performance has been completely different! Makes me keep buying tickets cause I know I'll hear classics completely different than studio.

[lilguava]

I'm glad Shakey played these three songs. He's always talked about wanting to branch out and wanting to constantly change. I love his other songs which have already become popular, but there's something admirable about how he just constantly puts out new music rather than sticking to what has worked in the past.