Weyes Blood: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Weyes Blood play "Andromeda", "Wild Time" and "Picture Me Better" at the Tiny Desk.

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Dec. 11, 2019 | Robin Hilton -- For most of her performance at the Tiny Desk, Nataile Mering, the transfixing voice behind Weyes Blood, sang with her eyes closed, lost and blissed out in the gently sweeping sounds. She didn't say a word until just before the last song, when she smiled and thanked everyone for coming. But you could feel the warmth and beauty and yearning in what was a tranquil, stirring set.

Mering and the other members of Weyes Blood kept the mix simple and restrained — a strummed guitar, two-part harmonies, a brushed beat — but still managed to re-create the majesty and wonder of the band's latest release, Titanic Rising, one of 2019's loftiest and most layered albums. The group played three cuts from the record, opening with "Andromeda," an astral ode to love, followed by the awestruck "Wild Time" and "Picture Me Better," a heartbreaking remembrance of a friend who died by suicide while Mering was working on the album.

Much of Weyes Blood's sound and vibe is rooted in '70s folk-pop traditions, with mystical themes of rambling on to find meaning and purpose. Mering's flawless voice recalls Karen Carpenter (though Mering says she doesn't care much about The Carpenters) and her melodies and progressions channel Joni Mitchell as much as Harry Nilsson. For this performance, Mering wore an all-white suit, a popular style of the era, and played a vintage acoustic Guild she bought "from an old folksinger who had lived in London in the '70s and played a lot." But, Mering later wrote in an email, the woman "played her last show, placed her guitar in the case and barely touched it until I bought it in 2016." Much like the journey of that guitar, Weyes Blood's appearance at the Tiny Desk was a beautiful trip.

SET LIST
"Andromeda"
"Wild Time"
"Picture Me Better"

MUSICIANS
Natalie Mering: vocals, guitar; Eliana Athayde: vocals, bass; Walt McClements: keys, vocals; Stephen Heath: guitar; Andres Renteria: drums

CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineers: Josh Rogosin, James Willetts; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Bronson Arcuri, Jack Corbett; Associate producer: Bobby Carter; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Mhari Shaw/NPR

[denomava]

The fact that Titanic Rising wasn't nominated for a Grammy is my villain origin story

[swindlehappy]

If Natalie isn't gonna sing at my funeral then I'm not dying.

[joeagger]

the slide guitar in Andromeda never gets old. modern classic

[christophermaxieii]

Critically acclaimed album and still somehow underrated.

I genuinely think this is the best album of 2019, and one of the best of the decade.

[poplar]

“Picture us better
We finally found a winter for your sweater”

my heart broke

[chakitaklla]

The girl on the backing vocals has a gorgeous voice.

[mahamkhan]

this album is criminally underrated. weyes blood is phenomenal.

[AbrahamCloud]

Strangely intoxicating. Very progressive for a folk format. Oddly there is some obscure Bowie influence here. Glad I found you.

[NKB_POE]

bass player is actually really good backing vocal singer too

[JaidevAshok]

Absolutely adore the bassist's voice. I'm going to keep coming back for the harmonies.

[poplar]

The backing vocal around Wild Time is *chef's kiss*

[adamkadmonmusick]

i dont really even listen to this style of music, but this album changed my life...

[m-a-s-e-y]

My guitar teacher just joined the band. I'm excited for him because Weyes Blood has some awesome stuff.

[glory]

Titanic Rising is my personal AOTY of 2019. such haunting and candid lyrics and soundscape. thanks NPR for making this concert happen!

[kana]

0:00 Andromeda
4:45 Wild Time
11:31 Picture Me Better

[itstonioo]

If this band was doing this in the 70s they be rockstars. Crazy how hard it is for talented musicians nowadays to get to that level. Not saying its impossible but todays day its whats catchy and simple (most of the time)

[andreasegura]

She’s literally one of the greatest singers nowadays. So amazing. Her voice is pure beauty. I love her so much. I’ll appreciate if you gave her the recognition she deserves.

[PinkAmadeus]

"I finally found a winter for your sweater." I couldn't picture it better.

[ORIGINALGAMINGGUY]

Picture Me Better is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard

[dylanoliver]

Titanic Rising is one of those albums where you could say any song on it is your favorite and you wouldn't be wrong. Absolutely gorgeous!