Darlingside: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

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May 4, 2018 | Bob Boilen -- Even though the world will eventually come to an end, there's still beauty and hope in all of us and in song. That about sums up the wistful mystery that is the music of Darlingside. The quartet brought dystopian storytelling wrapped in choral harmony with this performance at the Tiny Desk. Their singing is layered on a bed of percussive and melodic tones, made with guitars both acoustic and electric, violin, cello, mandolin and a tiny synthesizer. For all its upfront simplicity, in voice and acoustics, Darlingside's Tiny Desk Concert has stuck with me as a most compelling performance — a perfect match of songwriting, with contributions from all members.

The first song they performed comes from the band's 2015 debut album Birds Say. "The God of Loss" was inspired by the Arundhati Roy book The God of Small Things, and by the main character's attempts to preserve humanity in the face of competing forces. The other two songs Darlingside performed are from Extralife, the Boston quartet's perfectly crafted third album: "Best of the Best of Times" and the title track "Extralife." That cut track starts off the album with these lines:

"It's over now
The flag is sunk
The world has flattened out
Under the under grow
I've always found
A level further down
As I begin to lose hold of
The fiery flowerbeds above
Mushroom clouds reset the sky
Extralife"

Through these end-of-time lyrics comes deep appreciation for what we have and what's worth holding on to. And through it all Darlingside's humor shines, with in-between chatter about quiche and common bonds. Don't miss this band's music. This is the perfect introduction to Darlingside, right here.

SET LIST
"The God of Loss"
"Best Of The Best Times"
"Extralife"

MUSICIANS
Dave Senft, Don Mitchell, Auyon Mukharji, Harris Paseltiner

CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Dani Lyman; Production Assistant: Joshua Bote; Photo: Eslah Attar/NPR.

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Until you see them live you don't understand how talented these guys are.

rcgamer

Huge props to the sound guy for these tiny desk concerts. The mix often sounds better than the studio version of the song.

rad

This is one of those bands that you will always remember hearing for the first time and what it was like.

Jduhbs

They write some of the prettiest songs that I've ever heard.

dolcedolente

End-of-time lyrics, the description says? No, they're definitely talking about playing Mario. "The flag sunk, " "the world has flattened out, " "a level further down, " "Mushroom clouds reset the sky / Extralife""

Zion-

Their harmonies are so unbelievably precise in every one of their live performances. Very impressive troupe of musicians.

Dadlen

This is the daddest bands of all the dad bands

maxwell

Just saw these guys perform at the Greek Theater, opening for Brandi Carlisle. WHAT a treat! Probably the best opening act I've seen at any venue in the 40 + years of concert going. Can't wait to see y'all headline!!

cimtook

I am tearing up in the first minute - beautiful music.

sbingham

I read about this band in NYT's article this morning. The music is wonderful. I'm a new fan.

lutherdixon

Wow! I miss and long for things that I never knew existed! Thank you NPR for allowing such talented artist to perform and enter my home through YouTube.

crockerzz

Funny thing, I absolutely love this group and I love tiny desk shows. I saw Darlingside about two months ago. I'm so happy to see them on this stage, but I urge anyone who thought this was just OK to check out their other performances. This was good, but not their best work. Still I enjoyed it.

morningdooable

thanks, NPR for introducing me to such great musicians

JasielCalixtoMusic

BORN IN CA MBRIDGE, MA. SPENT MUCH TIME THERE IN LATE 60''S EARLY 70'S WHEN CLUB 47 HAD SOME OF THE BEST MUSIC AROUND. SO GLAD TRADITION IS BEING CARRIED ON WITH THIS WONDERFUL QUARTET.

sallyglass