Season 2013

E1. Lucius

Jan 7, 2013 · 15m

One minute, Lucius sounds like a '60s girl group; the next might conjure images of Emmylou Harris.

E2. Black Prairie

Jan 14, 2013 · 15m

With members of The Decemberists, the band lends a snappy, lilting quality to songs of alienation.

E3. Of Montreal

Jan 28, 2013 · 15m

Frontman Kevin Barnes uses the intimacy of the NPR Music offices to try out some quiet new material.

E4. Cantus

Feb 4, 2013 · 15m

The a cappella ensemble sings widely divergent songs from American, European and Sufi traditions.

E5. The xx

Feb 11, 2013 · 15m

In The xx's songs, all the calm chilliness in the world can't quite contain an exposed heart.

E6. Night Beds

Feb 18, 2013 · 15m

Winston Yellen's arresting voice propels a lighthearted but deeply affecting set at the NPR office.

E7. Mary Halvorson Quintet

Feb 25, 2013 · 15m

The guitarist brings a decidedly non-standard approach to jazz's standard practices.

E8. The Lone Bellow

Mar 4, 2013 · 15m

The fast-rising Brooklyn trio sings beautiful, heartfelt, impeccably harmonized folk-pop songs.

E9. Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill

Mar 11, 2013 · 15m

Watch one of the best fiddlers on the planet and a subtle guitar master work their magic.

E10. Efterklang

Apr 8, 2013 · 15m

The Danish band ransacks the NPR Music offices looking for sound-making material and new ideas.

E11. Yo La Tengo

Apr 15, 2013 · 15m

To coincide with the release of the band's 13th album, Fade, Yo La Tengo performs an acoustic set.

E12. Omar Sosa & Paolo Fresu

Apr 22, 2013 · 15m

The duo's quietly energetic performance hangs over the the NPR Music offices like a soft mist.

E13. Father Figures

Apr 29, 2013 · 15m

Zany, brainy and danceable, these guys' music mixes rock and jazz like King Crimson at its fiercest.

E14. Nicola Benedetti

May 6, 2013 · 15m

Watch the violinist spin out music by John Williams and Bach in sweet, soulful tendrils of sound.

E15. Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale

May 13, 2013 · 15m

The veteran country players mix corny humor, musical merrymaking and timeless vocal harmonies.

E16. Mohammad Reza Shajarian

May 20, 2013 · 15m

The 73-year-old Iranian icon unleashes torrents of swooping, soaring sound that elicit goosebumps.

E17. Imani Winds

May 29, 2013 · 15m

Imani Winds' members shrink Igor Stravinsky down to size in a quintet take on The Rite of Spring.

E18. OK Go

Jun 3, 2013 · 15m

OK Go helps us transport the Tiny Desk from NPR Music's old headquarters to our new facility.

E19. The National

Jun 10, 2013 · 15m

Watch the band perform acoustic arrangements of four songs from its new album, Trouble Will Find Me.

E20. NO BS! Brass Band

Jun 15, 2013 · 15m

An 11-piece brass band turns up the funk and flies the flag high for its native Richmond, Va.

E21. Billy Bragg

Jun 17, 2013 · 15m

One of the world's finest folksingers channels the spirit of Woody Guthrie at the NPR Music offices.

E22. Patty Griffin

Jun 24, 2013 · 15m

Watch the singer-songwriter and her band perform three songs from her fine new album, American Kid.

E23. Maya Beiser

Jun 29, 2013 · 15m

A brilliant cellist with a stunning command of her instrument, Beiser performs at the NPR offices.

E24. Laura Mvula

Jul 1, 2013 · 15m

The U.K. singer performs some of her most intimate material in a short set at the NPR Music offices.

E25. Cheick Hamala Diabate

Jul 6, 2013 · 15m

The Malian musician and his band craft melodies and rhythms that cut across age and ethnicity.

E26. Skinny Lister

Jul 8, 2013 · 15m

The rowdy English folk-punk band brings its barely controlled mayhem to the NPR Music offices.

E27. Frank Turner

Jul 13, 2013 · 15m

Two men with unplugged instruments convey the bawdy rowdiness of a full band.

E28. Alice Russell

Jul 15, 2013 · 15m

When the British singer performs, her emotionally fiery music just gets hotter and grittier.

E29. Cheyenne Mize

Jul 20, 2013 · 15m

The singer, instrumentalist and music therapist plays slinky, forceful songs at NPR Music.

E30. Guards

Jul 22, 2013 · 15m

Hear three sturdy pop songs from In Guards We Trust, performed live at the NPR Music offices.