Alex G: Tiny Desk Concert

Marissa Lorusso | December 7, 2022
"I don't have a lot to say," Alex Giannascoli, who performs as Alex G, says with a laugh after his first song behind the Tiny Desk. Judging from his discography alone, that's not something you might ordinarily accuse the Philly singer-songwriter of: nine full-length albums in the last dozen years, in addition to a couple EPs and a film soundtrack. His prodigious output of melodic, peculiar indie rock has earned him a cult-beloved status. True, he got to play guitar on a couple Frank Ocean tracks — but for a more accurate indication of the fervor of his fanbase, turn your attention to the internet: the hours-long playlists of unreleased Alex G demos painstakingly assembled by fans on YouTube, for example, or the raucous chatter among his fans on message boards.

At the Tiny Desk, Alex G and his band dialed down the volume for a handful of songs from across his vast discography. They started with a couple songs from his stellar new album, God Save The Animals, and also played some deeper cuts: "Gretel," a wonderfully creepy track from 2019's House of Sugar, and "Snot," the closer from 2015's Beach Music. Under the layers of electronics, experimentation and vocal effects on Alex G's studio records, you might lose sight of Giannascoli's primary strength as a songwriter and the emotional core of his music. But at the Tiny Desk, the stripped-down sound only underscored the sturdiness of his craft — no explanation required.

SET LIST
"Runner"
"Miracles"
"Gretel"
"Snot"

MUSICIANS
Alex Giannascoli: vocals, guitar
Samuel Acchione: guitar, vocals
John Heywood: bass, vocals
Thomas Kelly: drums
Molly Germer: violin, piano

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Marissa Lorusso
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Pierre Kattar, Sofia Seidel, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Natasha Branch
Production Assistant: Jill Britton
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills, Kara Frame, Ashley Pointer
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #alexg

[joebonen]

I saw Alex live and I yelled for him to play Snot. He looked at me and asked what I said. I said play Snot. He said ok, this ones called Snot and then proceeded to play a different song and everybody laughed at me.

[rexsupreme]

this is the highest quality of alex g we will probably ever get

[cameronbrosius]

He's really on the professional grind for this album

[YungKlausSchwab]

Such an authentic artist/person.
Pure 21st century Americana.
We love and respect him a lot here in Japan.

[kurtlo-mein]

alex not knowing what to say the whole time is so funny

[burgy_]

Must have been so hard to choose four songs for this set, so many gems in his discography.

[yedgyll]

0:00 — Runner
3:30 — Miracles
7:25 — Gretel
10:32 — Snot

[Richard__Cranium]

I graduated high school with Alex and Sam. Knew both of them since 6th Grade. It's surreal to see how far they've come but I'm so incredibly happy for them and all their success. Two of the nicest, chillest guys you could ever meet. Much love.

[kpop]

NO FKIN WAY!!! TINY DESK HAS BEEN POPPING OFF WITH THE ARTIST CHOICES THIS MONTH 🔥🔥🔥😤😤

[esteraraujo]

I love Alex. Not hearing him do the scream in Runner did break my heart a little, but this is still a gem

[charleskorpics]

One of the greatest gifts to indie music is this guy.

[allyson--]

I can't get enough of Molly on violin & keys. Quintessential to the band's sound

[coop_]

Can’t believe he cloned himself to play the electric guitar too, massive dedication

[elizardbeth]

He’s expecting a baby with Molly (on violin)! Makes for a really special performance, especially of Miracles!

[lucassswaves]

The meaning of Gretel hit me during this performance when you finally are on a good path in life the temptations seem like a house of sugar but you’ve come so far you know u have to fight to stay away and it’s almost melancholic leaving your old destructive tendencies behind because you are parting from a past self but you know they don’t belong with you any longer

[safisafiasafia]

The chemistry between them is so strong! The way they look at each other and nod being like “everything is good, keep up” is so cute

[charlottesmith]

I thought “Snot” was my own little hidden gem of a favorite song by him but the fact that he played it last here out of all of his other great music… I somehow feel seen I can’t explain it lol. Also this live version of it is sublime.

[saucedo_]

can’t believe he played snot, such an amazing choice oh my god

[gingerAV]

i feel like a proud dad watching this. i don’t care that he’s older than me

[mad]

Alex is such a gem. Reminds me so much of Elliott Smith. The band was absolutely amazing too. 💜