Kevin Kaarl: Tiny Desk Concert

Anamaria Sayre | January 8, 2024
Singer-songwriter Kevin Kaarl applies his indie-drenched vocals with an entirely new vision at his Tiny Desk concert. Pairing folksy, trumpet rhythms with twangy banjo, the Chihuahuan artist transfigures traditional Sinaloan instrumentation into styles more recognizable among American folk bands.

Opening with "Me Va a Costar," twin brother and trumpet player Brian spins sweet harmony on the track. Transitioning to the guitar and banjo-driven, trumpet adorned "Te Quiero Tanto," Kaarl strings together romantic melodies with endlessly rich vibratos and stunning falsetto.

He switches to one of his earliest hits, the relentlessly romantic "Vámonos a Marte." "Vámonos de viaje a las estrellas y a Marte (Let's go on a trip to the stars and Mars)," he coos, "A olvidar nuestros problemas, tan punzantes (To forget our stinging problems)."

He pauses to leave a regalo (one of his boots, and he confirmed he walked home with one foot shoeless after doing so) and then ends with the folky "San Lucas" — a track fit for any indie king.

Multi-faceted in his lyricism and vocal abilities, Kevin Kaarl took his banda Sinaloense roots and shined in performing a style that virtually none in his part of the world are playing with, innovating and smiling all the while.

SET LIST
"Me Va a Costar"
"Te Quiero Tanto"
"Vámonos a Marte"
"San Lucas"

MUSICIANS
Kevin Hernández: vocals, guitar
Bryan Hernández: vocals, trumpet
Francisco Rueda: drums
Daniel Chaparro: bass
Ulises Villegas: guitar, banjo

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Anamaria Sayre
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Zayrha Rodriguez, Maia Stern
Audio Assistant: Ted Mebane
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Catie Dull
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #Kevinkaarl

[nprmusic]

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[adrianbarajas]

Que emoción saber que Kevin Kaarl llego al Tiny Desk

[lizzethhdez]

Al escuchar la trompeta recorde esos tiempos cuando desde mi casa los escuchaba ensayar❤️, muy orgullosa de los vecinos!

[Pacoooooooo.]

Que honor ser parte de esto! Gracias a todos lo que lo hicieron posible❤️

[En_Luz]

My wife and I heard Kevin Kaarl for the first time on a trip to the Texas Mountains/Desert, not knowing this guy was from Chihuahua, just across from where we were. Since then his songs have become our playlist when road tripping. His music is essentially a combination of the spirit of wanderlust and adventure but also of the melancholy and mundane.

[CHINO_HUERTA]

Kevin y Bryan Kaarl son un orgullo para México, Viva México 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

[angeloliver]

I didn’t knew Kevin until today. My favourites bands in the world are Mumford and Sons and Bon Iver and I speak Spanish so you can imagine what I felt listening to this guy. Absolutely amazed.

[nickbeam]

I don't speak Spanish but what I do speak is Max volume on the tv, this was absolutely beautiful.✌️❤️

[cbschrader]

I don’t speak Spanish so I have no idea what you are singing, but I love your musical style. And as always, the Tiny Desk sound engineers did an amazing job capturing it all in such clarity and detail. You guys really need to release these recordings on streaming services! Maybe an album by release year?

[lbalmo]

0:00 Me va a costar
5:33 Te quiero tanto
10:03 Vámonos a Marte
14:54 San Lucas

[sidneycain]

I’ve been listing to this song for weeks now, wasn’t until I read the lyrics that I broke down in tears for hours today.. it resonated so deeply to my lost love that I struggle to listen to it now without pain but it comes from a place of love and that is good enough for me to consider it healing..

[orlandorojas]

Cuando subió la historia de que habían grabado esto me salieron lágrimas porque sentí mucha felicidad por ellos. Es increíble todo lo que han logrado. Gracias por tu música Kevin.

[WillyOrtegaBonilla]

🤍
0:00 Me va a costar
5:33 Te quiero tanto
10:03 Vámonos a Marte
14:54 San Lucas

[emilioandrade]

QUE CABRÓN VER HASTA DONDE HA LLEGADO EL FOLK MEXA. GRANDES KEVIN Y BRYAN

[yeloautosports]

I've been learning a bit of Spanish. Just discovered you yesterday and spent the whole rest of the day learning the lyrics and learning what they meant. This might be a great way for me to keep learning Spanish through your lyrics and music. Love it!

[_billion_suns]

I may not speak much Spanish but I sure know beautiful musicianship when I hear it! Really enjoyed this.

[joanreysotelo]

Estás versiones deben estar en Spotify🥺

[REDEFINITION]

I decided to give this show a watch, even though I don’t speak Spanish. I’m so glad I did! I truly enjoyed it! ❤️

[leoordaz]

Hace más de 5 años que sigo a Kevin, me alegra el alma hasta donde ha llegado, desde tocar en los cafés de Chihuahua hasta hacer un tiny desk. Estoy más que contento que más personas conozca su música.❤️‍🩹

[lorenamerad]

Soy de México y no los conocía, son como la música perfecta para escuchar en un día de lluvia.