Big Thief: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

August 29, 2016 by BOB BOILEN • The power of Big Thief lies in the stunning voice of Adrianne Lenker — as well as the band's intense rhythms, the guitar playing of Buck Meek and, right, the lyrics. Come to think of it, everything this band does serves the muscular warmth of these brilliant songs, which are not only memorable, but meaningful.

"Masterpiece" is the first song in this Tiny Desk Concert, as well as Big Thief's best-known tune. It's a song of mortality and walking through life with your friends by your side. In fact, all three of these songs, all from the group's 2016 debut, are about passion, friendship, reflection, life and loved ones — it's music profound and beautiful enough to even work well in a brightly lit office in the middle of the day.

Masterpiece is available now:

Set List:
"Masterpiece"
"Paul"
"Lorraine"

Credits:
Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Claire Hannah Collins; Production Assistant: Sophie Kemp; Photo: Ruby Wallau/NPR.

[cl]

This guitarist puts his whole nervous system into it, I dig it

[doctintifax]

The drummer looks like he's contemplating that one carp he let go by the backcountry river 7 years ago

[kamronhenderson]

everyones talking abt the groovy guitarist but no one mentions dad about to go fishing and guy whos not wearing shoes. i love this band

[wh]

Glad the drummer could wrap up his fly fishing trip early to make the set.

[katdino]

Definitely one of the greatest songwriters of this generation

[tylerclay]

I like that every one of them looks like they should be in a different band

[markieboy]

literally all of them are *_feeling_* the music. you don't see that kind of passion too often holy shit

[NatashaBarhedianoche]

I love that each band member looks like they are living in their own decade.

[hoodeiz]

Adrianne Lenker will go down as one of the greatest American songwriters.

[internetsummoner]

Adrienne still moved to the music in her head after 'Paul' had ended, and only after the audience started clapping that she stopped. This is the reason that I love music. Music has wings, and every time you put in your headphones or put a needle to vinyl, you have a choice to fly and be immersed in the sky !

[pennythoughts]

Masterpiece is one of the greatest songs of all time

[aarongomez]

We need another Big Thief Tiny Desk. They’ve made so much amazing music since this was put out. Still so good after all this time❤️

[redhajuanda]

that masterpiece version really is a masterpiece

[johnfrancis]

He’s not playing the guitar, the guitar is playing him

[Blindastronomer]

This performance is fucking legendary. Adrianne's raspiness and vibrancy is, imo, lost in the overproduction of the album version itself. I hope to hear more!

[connorblake]

5:21 "As I realized there was no one who could kiss away my shit" always breaks my heart

[ashleyamor]

Wow somehow just now watching this… crazy how diff Adrianne looks now. Same crazy good vocals, but the shorn hair and bare face she rocks now really embody who she is imo 🖤

[cassidicci]

I mean. I can’t even. This is one of my touchstone places in YouTube. I come here, they fill my cup with their tender power, and I am renewed.

[Jicama]

This is what happens when music is an extension of you and not the other way around. Neither is wrong, both are good. But this band is radiant.

[jcolby]

Great Americana vibe. I wouldn't have guessed they were from Brooklyn. I imagined a forgotten town in the midwest. This is the feeling I get from their music.