Jake Bugg: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

There was a haze over Jake Bugg when he arrived at the Tiny Desk. He was expressionless and quiet. That all changed when he strummed fast and fierce on his acoustic guitar and began a flow of words reminiscent of Greenwich Village in the '60s, not modern Clifton in England's East Midlands, where he grew up.

Bugg is a prolific talent already working on his third record in as many years. His second album was produced by Rick Rubin and recorded in California. His recognition in the U.S. is still small, but that'll change — maybe even before we get that third record. --BOB BOILEN

Set List

"Slumville Sunrise"
"Me And You"
"Storm Passes Away"
"Lightning Bolt"

Credits

Producers: Bob Boilen, Denise DeBelius; Editor: Olivia Merrion; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Olivia Merrion

[mark_fox_music]

I feel as a Nottingham person from the same circle of friends as Jake I need to defend him a bit.

He is the real deal. No hidden agenda or pretentious arty farty posing. No aesthetic lies.

Clifton in Notts is one of the most depressing housing estates in the world and the biggest social housing estate in Europe. It is grim. For the last two years it's been having trams installed so there even the roads have been destroyed.

Poverty levels are high and generally it's a tough working class area with no prospects.

Jake has used all that anger to get out of Clifton. Get out of the hypocritical cottage industry musical vampire cess pit that is Nottingham too.

What you see is pure music fuelled by anger, fear, love and smokes.

Hes not a puppet. Not a showboater, he just plays from the heart and if people like it then great, if not he will just play harder until he at least earns your respect.

Thats what us lot do here.

Give him a break and just listen. You'll cry, think and laugh.

He's a good bloke.

[lesliep]

a lot of shy people come across as stuck up and in reality they're sweethearts. i feel that's why people's first impression of jake bugg is that way. i dont know if he's shy but in my opinion he seems so lovely and genuine.

[CaseyTCalhoun]

It's this simple. Kid may play simple chords and have simple lyrics. But the thing is, he does it so well. He is a different type of artist than what is out now a days. I love it and believe he is highly talented.

[ALB]

The very fact that he hates the bob Dylan comparison makes him more like bob Dylan

[alyssaavega]

I feel like his music is so underestimated. He's a talented singer and one helluva guitar player. I love him and his music so much

[esteraraujostudio]

I love Jake. He always looks baked as a fucking cake.

[kratni]

A 'no bullshit' young man. When you actually see him smile - you know it's genuine. Love that he doesn't do encores @ his live shows. This guy does not follow trends and what other ppl think is proper. Jake Bugg - you do you!

[isabellapetch]

My dad's bestfriend Nick became good friends with Jake a few years ago after having met him in a pub in Chelsea. My dad and Nick have played tennis together for years and one afternoon, Jake came. Having heard the news my dad was playing tennis with Jake bugg i dropped everything and joined them in the pub after for a pint. He is a really shy soul, but a lovely one too.

[mannaz_y]

The description says he wasnt in a good mood because he was 'expressionless and quiet'. I think thats the normal him lol.

[jordanadams]

3:58 the emotion on his face as he sings "I don't know what to do.."

[robsands]

There's something going on in this young man's head. I'm happy to see he's found a way to let it out

[EnriqueCruz-zszq]

why do people keep forgetting that music is just a way of expression/art. Artists are just expressing and reflecting themselves through this outescape, each search something different and so do you. Simply go and search what you like and don't judge others. ( this comment is useless)

[bronwynbennett]

Jake...Slumville is where I grew up! Thank you for existing and being such a BEAUTIFUL PLATFORM for the poor folks in the world....I know you have worked super hard for your talent...but you ARE SPECIAL!!!!

[KwiecienMs]

Love it, I could listen to this guy all day long. 

[Wendellerins]

Seeing him play live this past weekend just solidified what I already had gathered. He is a great musician. I love his voice as it is unique..yeah, he sounds like Dylan sometimes but his voice is different. His accent while singing sets him apart from others. The kid is gifted and im a fan and always will be.

[Essy]

Jake Bugg doesn't particularly seem boring... just reserved and distant in terms of revealing his true thoughts and emotions. It almost seems as if music is his creative outlet and personal mechanism in terms of sorting through his ideas and feelings, so I'd assume that having to constantly travel between countries and having interviewers threatening to pry into this hidden inner world of his can become overwhelming or even interpreted as a threat to his privacy to him. I'd guess he's the type of guy who feels reticent, if even a bit shy, around those he isn't familiar with and hesitates at exposing his deepest feelings or hidden faucets to anyone  beyond his family and closest friends. Some people are just a bit more withdrawn, or perhaps even introverted, in nature than others, as I also am myself, yet as the cliche mentions, "still water runs deep."

[bearboyyyyy]

VERY unique tone to his voice. I wonder what it would be like if he collab'd with someone.

[RossB-dp]

Saw him when he was 22 and thought he was great. He's 30 now and still going strong and writing very good songs. I urge you to go see him live. Huge talent that may be a secret to most Americans.

[SammyCee]

Why so many NEGATIVE HATE Comments? This guy is good!

I love anybody who only uses acoustic guitar and his/her voice.  Nothing else.

[kingstaa]

people saying he's boring, uninteresting and so on
he isnt here to win a personality contest (although Jake seems lovely judging by different interviews) hes a singer/songwriter and is he good at what he does? yes he is so what has his personality/looks/story got to do with him being a singer songwriter except that hiss songs may be about his story and experiences? really, get a life if you think that the music industry is only about looks and personality !