Animal Collective: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

Bob Boilen | July 12, 2022
Every time I've witnessed Animal Collective in concert the band has been bathed in colored light, with shapes and patterns floating above the members' heads, often mirroring the unpredictable and mesmerizing journey that defines its music. Yet here, the band is brightly lit for its Tiny Desk (home) concert — which it filmed at MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), playing new songs from its 11th studio album Time Skiffs — and the band's musical journey remains transfixing.

The four members known by their monikers Deakin, Panda Bear, Avey Tare and Geologist are joined by a silent "time skiff rider," dressed mysteriously in a hooded robe, who cuts paper shapes at a tiny desk as the band's music unfolds.

The set begins as Animal Collective's new album opens, with "Dragon Slayer" morphing into "Car Keys." The abstract words ping back and forth between Deakin, Panda Bear and Avey Tare, resembling a secret code to which only they hold the key: "I saw a red kite fly / Was it held by an anchor? / I saw a red kite burn / I saw a string gone astray."

The final track "Kings Walk" is for those truly dedicated to the collective. It's an unreleased, vocal-heavy song that Animal Collective has been performing since 2019. With lyrics as abstract as Mary Lum's Assembly (Lorem Ipsum), the artwork filling the MASS MoCA walls behind the band, the music feels challenging, not always welcoming. It's a path in music that perhaps you've never taken, but may want to take again once you do.

SET LIST
"Dragon Slayer"
"Car Keys"
"Kings Walk"

MUSICIANS
Avey Tare: bass, vocals
Panda Bear: drums, vocals
Geologist: electronics, hurdy-gurdy
Deakin: keys, vocals

CREDITS
Directed by Tony Giambrone
Director of Photography: Ben Townsend
Filmed by Sophie Schieli, Will Kempner, Ben Townsend and Tony Giambrone
Edited by Tony Giambrone
Color Correction by Ben Townsend
Recorded & Mixed by Alex Finlay V
Recording Assisted by Chris Freeman
Artwork featured in the video: Mary Lum, Assembly (Lorem Ipsum) 2017 commissioned by MASS MoCA
Special thanks to Mark Hubatsek
Filmed at MASS MoCA, North Adams, Mass.

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bob Boilen
Video Producer: Michael Zamora
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#TinyDesk #NPRMusic #AnimalCollective

[NebulaStarman]

I love Animal Collective, they changed my life.

[grimshawr]

That person on the construction paper just killing it all set.

[umifabian]

These guys felt like such an obvious choice for so long that I thought I'd never see them here.

[TheSouthernfried]

For real, a band that will stand the test of time. So joyful. You'd want their music with you if the world is ending and not much is left. An outstanding group.

[offbeatkiki]

My favorite band... Changed my life so many times over. So happy to see this upload

[sgt.martinez]

I thought as a nyc kid, i heard everything by the time i was 30, then i heard animal collective's Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished...I was totally smiling.. life does have new things in store for us.

[ReverendGreenArt]

These people are literally some of my favorite humans on this planet - Kings Walk is such a cool throwback to their Sung Tongs and Feels days, I fking love it

[oriana]

I love them so much. My friend introduced them to me during detention when I was in high school back in 2010. Magical memories.

[Weirder_the_better]

Animal Collective is my baby blanket - like a musical manifestation of my comfort zone, haha. They have meant SO much to me for SO long, both as Animal Collective and separately in solo projects. It brings me so much joy to see them here. <3 Now I just need you to invite Grizzly Bear and Interpol to have Tiny Desk concerts and I will be set for life.

[carolinef]

i love this so much but all i can think about is how warm they're all dressed

[WiloPolis]

That Dragon Slayer/Car Keys transition is so smooth I didn't even realize it was a new song

[tomhaney]

Heard /watched this band last week on Alabama Public Television. Almost instantly found my new favorite band !!!

[duffr]

I can’t believe they found this with the Webb telescope

[jordanabaca]

I’ve seen a lot of incredible bands but there’s something magic about AnCo that just stays with me.

[sianaibheis]

Animal Collective, thank you for making music. I think you’re great.

[NoJoshinJoshy]

I was 17 when I first heard Feels.. im 36 now and they still spark a specific frequency of joy for me

[AllboroLCD]

Every time I can get to an Animal Collective show, I have a glow that lasts for days after <3

[shelayu]

Experiencing Kings Walk just now was a spiritual moment for me. Why did I ever stop listening to Animal Collective? I've been going back through the music I loved from over decade ago.... They are still one of my favorite live shows I've ever seen back in 2009 in Tucson, AZ. Thanks for continuing to keep making magic.

[jeanwestcott]

I've long resisted their charms, and I am chastened. Lovely.

[marcomb]

I’m in my 30s this band was constantly on repeat on my psp back in high school, helped me through tough times and moments