Sid Sriram: Tiny Desk Concert

NPR Music's Tiny Desk is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. These artists represent just a sliver of the cultural diversity that exists within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Suraya Mohamed | May 10, 2023
For Sid Sriram and his band, playing loud is the norm. But in anticipation for this Tiny Desk, he turned the volume down while rehearsing for this unique acoustic setting. "When it gets quiet, you hear the subtleties, the background, vocal sounds and it even inspires new vocal ideas because you're not hearing everything, powered up all the way," Sriram told NPR before the concert. "The drummers tried different things out, and with two, that can get really chaotic sometimes. But the way they kind of mesh with each other, everything is dialed in."

Sriram was born in Chennai, India but grew up in Fremont, Calif. When he was 3 years old, his family taught him a South Indian classical, largely devotional discipline called Carnatic music. Later, he discovered jazz, R&B and soul music. Those forms of music helped him discover, explore and celebrate the whole spectrum of his identity.

While you can hear those musical influences in these songs, what is really striking is the ease with which he molds them all together. Add to the mix his powerful yet warm vocal quality and the ensemble's effective layering of sounds. "That's why music in general encapsulates this idea that pushes are momentum," Sriram said. "I wanted to figure out how we could bring the spectrum of dynamic and nice [music], and the best way to do it." Look for his new album, Sidharth, coming this summer.

SET LIST
"Blue Spaces"
"Do The Dance"
"Dear Sahana"
"Came Along"

MUSICIANS
Sid Sriram: vocals
Aaron Baum: keys
Evan Slack: guitar
Gregory Fox: drums
Adam Hurlburt: bass
Alex Nutter: modular synth
Chris Egan: drums
Devin Velez: vocals
Mike Noyce: vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel, Elizabeth Gillis
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyounai
Animator: Kaz Fantone
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Kara Frame, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer, Pilar Galván, Jill Britton
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #sidsriram

[itssurii]

The Vakratunda Mahakaya Mantra which Sid sang at the start is chanted at the beginning of every new endeavor. Perfect beginning to his tiny desk concert.

[thebootlegboy]

there's something about this set, I keep coming back to it, beautiful and unique.

[thedevinvelez]

What an honor to be a part of something so special. ❤ Thank you to everyone who has left such kind words, we’re so glad you could share this moment with us!

[nopereradicator]

NPR never fails. I didn’t know who this was but I’m a fan now. Thank you.

[johnfletcher]

This might be the greatest vocal performance in Tiny Desk history.

[KaneChattey]

Genuinely, without hyperbole, one of the greatest things I've ever experienced.

[LivDemy]

Someone told us, in Spotify India, the highest streamed Indian artist in entire 2022 was Sid Sriram! This tinydesk concert shows why! Sid is incredibly versatile.
Even though Sid is huge in South India, recently he sang at Sawai Gandharv festival, the biggest Hindustani (North Indian) classical concert festival in India. That is actually incredible.
His music transcends languages, borders, cultures ... a true world artist.

[BenPyman]

0:02 Blue Spaces
4:32 Do The Dance
8:23 Self introduction
9:32 Dear Sahana
18:09 Came Along
22:50 Band introduction

[ghettometalstilettos]

Definitely a pleasant surprise, even my 4yr old comes in after the second song and says, "mom I like this music." Now that's saying something. Thanks so much for sharing great music, I'm never disappointed when I listen to the tiny desk concerts. This guy and his artist collaborators definitely have a couple new fans!

[thedro]

My mother recently passed. She had a deep profound love for music. She would feel music and dance in ways I haven't seen in other people. She loved culture and and music influenced by different cultures. She would have loved this music so much and I never knew the thought of never being able to show her music I've found again in my life would hurt this way.
But the music also helps heal me and remind me of that relationship I had with music and her. So thank you. This is profoundly beautiful and you are so talented.

[QuickyA]

I hadn't heard of Sid before this. Wow. No better feeling in the world when you find new music that fills the soul with warmth and positivity. So, so good.

[RuanthaP]

My grandfather was a Muruga devotee and last night we were emjoying your dedication at a Durban temple when my brother came over. My dad and I have an estranged relationship and last night we made the first step at reconciliation, thank you for the strength your dedication gave me and thank you lord Muruga, the victorious one and my thathas for doing what they can to bring our family together. 🦚🦚🦚

[Kitchenchemistry]

Today I realised views not always described the quality of content I see on YouTube, love the vocals, this video deserves much more views than it has now

[Phoenix-gdxw]

This is the first time I listened to this genius musician and he's an incredible vocalist.

[gumbyno]

What a pleasant surprise! He's huge in South India, super cool to see him get more international recognition!

[Hallux]

I had never heard of Sid until he covered “We All Try” by Frank Ocean about 10 years ago. That’s when I fell in love with his voice! Glad to see him on Tiny Desk!!!🙌🏽

[familyguy]

Sid making Tamil Nadu and all Indians proud. ❤️ The mantr in the starting beautiful 🙏🕉️

[KK-bfrs]

Why am I only discovering Sid today? My Goodness! this set has touched my soul. what a gift.

[JustJourdan]

I remember watching his Frank Ocean cover of "We All Try" 15 or so years ago. I'm glad to see Sid still singing and creating. Beautiful performance.

[joshrhodes]

7:23 - the next 25 ish seconds are a mastery of being tight in a band - absolute class