The War On Drugs: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Maia Stern | November 1, 2021
In their Tiny Desk (home) concert, The War On Drugs gather in their packed studio in Burbank, CA to let us in on the fun and intricate inner workings of their craft. After opening the show with “I Don’t Live Here Anymore,” which shares the same title as their new album, frontman Adam Granduciel introduces the band and asks if anybody has a capo. Suddenly a very thoughtfully crafted tiny desk with drumsticks for legs (and topped with a tiny lamp too!) slowly lowers down into the space, delivering said capo. Granduciel smiles, and the group continues with three more tracks from the new record: “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” “Old Skin,” and “Change.”

Although the band’s big sound is fit to fill an arena, we’re lucky to get to hear it reverberating in this cozy setting. The War On Drugs’ fifth album, released Oct. 29, presents new songs that feel familiar and true to their sound. Originally based in Philadelphia, PA, the band’s members are now spread out across the country, but they came together to jam, demo, and ultimately record this album as a kindred unit.

The new songs are about reconnection, change, and uncertainty. This line from the title track resonates with me in the context of the daily unknown the pandemic has brought: “Time surrounds me like an ocean / My memories like waves / Is life just dying in slow motion / Or getting stronger everyday.” There’s beautiful tension and a lot of joy in these classic ballads.

SET LIST
"I Don't Live Here Anymore"
"I Don't Wanna Wait"
"Old Skin"
"Change"

MUSICIANS
Adam Granduciel: vocals, guitar
Dave Hartley: bass, backing vocals
Charlie Hall: drums
Anthony LaMarca: guitar, backing vocals
Robbie Bennett: keyboards
Jon Natchez: saxaphone, keyboards

CREDITS
Video: Cody William Smith, Danny Garfield
Audio: Austin Asvanonda
Director: Cody William Smith
Editor: Danny Garfield
Audio Mixing: Austin Asvanonda
Camera Operators: Paolo Arriola and Keith Pratt
Gaffer: Christopher Oh

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Maia Stern
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #thewarondrugs

[patrickdonnelly]

This band makes me feel alone and sad and scared and hopeful and comforted and loved all at the same time.

[HerbieFortyNine]

I’m 72 and this might just be my favorite band ever.

[PabloHz]

Jesus Christ, this version of "I don't live here anymore" is just outstanding

[Tom_Coppola]

This is probably one of the best sounding bands out there atm. Tone gods.

[TheGideon]

i walked into our local vinyl shop a few years ago. On display was a record by the War On Drugs. I am hiphiop head and a music fan, picked that album up simply based on the owners advice; "You love music, you'll love this" . Took it home and dropped the needle and the first song was Under The Pressure. Havent looked back since.

[jmcs]

Their songs could make me walk all night long through the streets of a city with no name aimlessly. Pure magic, pure feelings. One of the best bands of our time

[jas_bataille]

They should honestly just record a complete album live with this exact set-up and engineer at this point because... HOLYSHIT

[DIGITALMedia]

I am truly happy for all the people who haven't heard of this band yet and today is their first time. Their live stuff is always so flawless and clean. Enjoy!

[pattato]

holy GEAR Batman. These guys are living in Tone Heaven

[danielalzate]

I'm so in love with their sound... Spaces me out...

[syn_eteru]

0:00 - I Don't Live Here Anymore
5:14 - Band presentation
6:04 - I Don't Wanna Wait
11:25 - Old Skin
17:07 - Change
Exquisite playing :)

[nicobop]

anybody else listen to this every single day?

[Etat]

I don't know how Tiny Desk does it. But every time, and I mean EVERY time an artists touches my soul tiny desk gets around to providing them a place to show their fans another side entirely. From Mac Miller, Ben Howard, Hozier to Flatbush Zombies and now even The War on Drugs? Incredible. Thank you all so much.

[AndrewMiller-wdgm]

Wow this version of I Don’t Live Here Anymore is incredible…

[shanaliciastevenson]

I swear their music sounds like it’s just been sprinkled with some magical dust. Truly beautiful, I’m moved yet again.

[sagekujo]

Adam looks like that one music teacher all other teachers and faculty hate for being himself but he just genuinely wants what’s best for all the students. Rock on guys !

[Kenwatamin]

The best band of our generation. Love from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[robindeswart]

This is probably the best tiny desk concert that i’ve ever heard

[muprock]

Huge respect to bands like this, who care so much about the sound.

[SarcastSempervirens]

I discovered TWOD during a taxi ride in the middle of a crazy work day, being late for a meeting, stuck in traffic, cars, horns, jams.. The driver was an older guy, about 70, casually tapping his finger on the wheel in the rythm of "An ocean in between the waves". I didn't even notice but I got kinda lulled into it, the noise and the stress of it all just fell back and I caught myself trying to figure out what I was listening to, so I asked him. The best discovery of a band ever. They made my day then and every time I've listened to them since.