Sudan Archives: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

This performance was recorded on March 11, 2020. We will continue releasing Tiny Desk videos of shows that had already been taped. In light of current events, NPR is postponing new live tapings of Tiny Desk Concerts. In the meantime, check out Tiny Desk (home) concerts! They’re recorded by the artists in their home. It’s the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

June 22, 2020 | Bob Boilen -- Sudan Archives is a truly singular artist, inspired by Irish and African music, especially Sudanese music. The first time I saw her was in a crowd of people at Cheer Up Charlies during SXSW in March of 2018. The show was wild and wonderful: effects pedals transformed her violin into a full-on band, with electronic beats keeping it all moving.

Almost exactly two years later, things couldn't be more different. On March 6, SXSW 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19. By the time Sudan Archives arrived at NPR in Washington, D.C., on March 11, everyone was concerned about the coronavirus threat. So we sanitized the desk, the mics and the cameras. We also kept our distance.

She came not with an array of electronics, but with violinist Jessica McJunkins, violist Dominic Johnson and cellist Khari Joyner. The new arrangement at the top of "Confessions" was the perfect tension queller. And those arrangements also heighten the lyrics. Listening again three months later, three weeks into police brutality protests, the words — "There is a place that I call home / But it's not where I am welcome / And if I saw all the angels / Why is my presence so painful?" — take on new meaning.

When the show was over and the small, socially-distant crowd of NPR employees dispersed, our crew began to wipe everything down with disinfectant wipes. Our incredible audio engineer, Josh Rogosin, started to set up for what we thought would be the next Tiny Desk show, the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera p r i s m by Ellen Reid and Roxie Perkins.

Josh Rogosin remembers the day clearly. "After the Sudan Archives concert, I optimistically went about setting up for a string quartet plus an eight-person choir and two vocal soloists, plus harp and conductor," he told me. "About halfway through my set-up, our boss gathered us around the Tiny Desk and made the painful but obvious decision. No more Tiny Desks until further notice."

Three months later, things are not looking much better. I miss it madly. There will be Tiny Desk concerts again and the celebration will be joyous. We'll do it as soon as it feels safe. Stay tuned and enjoy the nearly 1,000 concerts in our archives.

SET LIST
"Confessions"
"Glorious"
"Nont For Sale"

MUSICIANS
Sudan Archives: vocals, violin; Dominic Johnson: viola; Jessica McJunkins: violin; Khari Joyner: cello

CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith, Jack Corbett; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineers: Josh Rogosin, Natasha Branch; Videographers: Bronson Arcuri, Jack Corbett, Kara Frame, Melany Rochester; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Kisha Ravi/NPR

[JohnFoley]

Im always impressed by how well mic-ed the musicians are in these concerts. NPR sound engineering is on point.

[AdrianPrath]

*Singing while playing violin, that's not so easy!*
♥

[lettuce]

I’m from Sudan and this sounds so alike how our violinists sound! I’m amazed to see it used like this in a modern context. If anyone is interested they should definitely check out our old musicians.

[Frankievw]

When she started using her necklace as percussion....I got chills! She is amazing

[kanellita]

'this is my light, don't block the sun'
'this is my seat, can't you tell?'
is doing wonders for my mental health

[lizzyf]

She is such a unique artist. I’ve never heard music like this before, it had a literal physical effect. Kind of calming, kind of grounding, kind of theatrical. Completely unique and amazingly talented. She has her place in history, I can feel it.

[rouxquier]

I started listening to her like 4 or 5 months ago and now she got her own NPR Music concert, Im so proud

[RhysLangston]

she gets better and more skilled every waking moment. it's crazy

[PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Confessions* (3:54)
4:13 - *Glorious* (6:57)
7:50 - *Nont for Sale* (11:25)

[luckithirteen]

enraptured by that opening number -- i love how she retains so much subtle swag with the string quartet...what a beautiful combination. can really hear the irish and african influences in the harmonies. i'm obsessed!

[LFrench]

Major props to the backing musicians for such a locked-in performance on such a short schedule

[samuelgreenberg]

String quartet pop gonna be huge in 2021

[shahdmaki]

some of her music is inspired by Sudanese violinist Asim Gorashi and she also named herself Sudan Archives because of her love for Sudanese fiddlers

[Foodication]

"Glorious" is the essence & the oil of Black Girl Magic! That song blows me away EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!

[leachateau]

I don't know the brand of her jeans, but they should hire her. She is iconic

[sowanderlost]

Sudan Archives is so talented and creative we don't deserve her talent! She's amazing ❤️

[unmaskbyhoney]

Those musicians backed her well! They were so serious! That change @1:13 was beautiful and we all Love Non't For Sale. I enjoyed the high and low notes... brought my Afrikan roots out. This really sinks in after watching it a few times.

[mmmmalli]

321 people accidentally hit the dislike button?? Sudan archives is one of the most unique artists I’ve seen live.

[Andyonplanetearth]

There are so many lame attempts trying to merge classic and contemporary into something exciting new ... well this is a surprising fresh, fun, deep and overall crazy cool example! I love it! Thanks for sharing!

[wrennydee]

She is amazing.. all around lyricist, voice, talent + gorgeous. Truly amazing human.