NPR Tiny Desk Concerts backdrop

The Best Episodes of NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12

Every episode of NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12!

Intimate musical performances, recorded live at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.

Airs on
NPR
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons19

All12345678910111213141516171819

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 1 - Miguel Zenón feat. Spektral Quartet
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - Miguel Zenón feat. Spektral Quartet

    S12:E1

    The saxophonist is a big thinker whose mesmerizing compositions chronicle the music of his native Puerto Rico with the help of an adventurous jazz quartet.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 2 - Buddy
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #2 - Buddy

    S12:E2

    The preacher's son from Compton brought his flair for the dramatic, and an air of rebellion, to the Tiny Desk.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 3 - Carolina Eyck and Clarice Jensen
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - Carolina Eyck and Clarice Jensen

    S12:E3

    Carolina Eyck, the first artist to bring a theremin to the Tiny Desk, plays the air with the kind of lyrical phrasing and "fingered" articulation that takes a special kind of virtuosity.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 4 - Aaron Lee Tasjan
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Aaron Lee Tasjan

    S12:E4

    Aaron Lee Tasjan arrived in an ascot and mustard-colored shirt, sporting red, round sunglasses and mutton chops. It was a fashionable nod to the psych-pop and rock sound he brought to the Tiny Desk.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 5 - Nate Wood - fOUR
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - Nate Wood - fOUR

    S12:E5

    The multi-instrumentalist says he only wishes he had more limbs; but Wood still manages to simultaneously play a bass guitar, keys and drums, all while singing into a wearable microphone.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 6 - Stella Donnelly
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Stella Donnelly

    S12:E6

    Watch the Australian singer-songwriter perform three new songs from her upcoming full-length debut, Beware of the Dogs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of NPR Tiny Desk Concerts

    READ
  7. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 7 - Blood Orange
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Blood Orange

    S12:E7

    This Blood Orange Tiny Desk is a beautifully conceived concert showing off the craft and care that has made Devonté Hynes a groundbreaking producer and songwriter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 8 - Cat Power
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Cat Power

    S12:E8

    Chan Marshall and her band perform a brisk and beautifully orchestrated medley of Cat Power songs: "Wanderer," "Woman" and 2006's "The Moon."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 9 - Kurt Vile
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Kurt Vile

    S12:E9

    Kurt Vile and his musical mate, Rob Laakso casually lose themselves in complex guitar lines that are effortlessly beautiful and lyrical.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 10 - Lau Noah
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - Lau Noah

    S12:E10

    There's a magical aura that surrounds Lau Noah as she sits behind the Tiny Desk and unspools thought-provoking story-songs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 11 - Mountain Man
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Mountain Man

    S12:E11

    The voices of Amelia Meath, Molly Erin Sarlé and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig come together behind the Tiny Desk, with songs that conjure a simpler life: dogs, friends, moonlight or skinny dipping.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 12 - Scott Mulvahill
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Scott Mulvahill

    S12:E12

    Scott Mulvahill has been trying to win the Tiny Desk Contest for each of its four years. And while he's never won, we all loved him so much we had to invite him to play.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 13 - The Pedrito Martinez Group
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - The Pedrito Martinez Group

    S12:E13

    The Afro-Cuban percussionist mesmerizes with his almost otherworldly talent on congas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 14 - Natalie Prass
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Natalie Prass

    S12:E14

    Decked out in matching, cobalt blue outfits, the singer and her band had a clear vision: If you want to overcome the times, find strength in numbers.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 15 - Zaytoven
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Zaytoven

    S12:E15

    The Atlanta trap super-producer and son of a preacher man saved the day with a soulful Tiny Desk.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 16 - Phony Ppl
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Phony Ppl

    S12:E16

    The Brooklynites stand out for their inventive and seamless blend of jazz, R&B and hip-hop.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 17 - Meg Myers
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Meg Myers

    S12:E17

    Myers replaces her album's roaring electric guitars and electronics with a pulsing string quartet, piano and brushed drums — and uncorks a cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 18 - Leikeli47
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Leikeli47

    S12:E18

    The artist came to the Tiny Desk masked up, as always, the better to catch a glimpse of her soul.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 19 - Kaia Kater
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Kaia Kater

    S12:E19

    Multi-hyphenate artist Kaia Kater uses the architecture of roots music, which she studied in West Virginia, to establish a simultaneous dialogue with both the present moment and her own past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 20 - Nao
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Nao

    S12:E20

    The U.K.-based singer-songwriter takes the Tiny Desk on a cosmic journey through her Saturn return.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 21 - Alejandro Escovedo
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Alejandro Escovedo

    S12:E21

    The veteran rocker and a backup band from Italy play songs from their album The Crossing, chronicling an American Dream of rock and roll and Beat poetry.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 22 - &More (Chill Moody & Donn T)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - &More (Chill Moody & Donn T)

    S12:E22

    Philadelphia Rapper Chill Moody and singer Donn T, along with their crew known as &More, were one of the standout entrants in last year's Tiny Desk Contest. They bring a message of hope and love.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 23 - Andrea Cruz
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Andrea Cruz

    S12:E23

    The singer from Puerto Rico is part of a movement on the island that emphasizes largely acoustic instruments and a folk-based approach to interpreting life before and after the hurricane of 2017.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 24 - Weezer
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Weezer

    S12:E24

    Performing unplugged, the band forgoes its usual meticulousness in favor of a shaggy, entirely acoustic mix of new songs and '90s-era deep cuts.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. NPR Tiny Desk Concerts Season 12 Episode 25 - Courtney Marie Andrews
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Courtney Marie Andrews

    S12:E25

    It was a day when sunlight drenched the office and the songs of heart from Courtney Marie Andrews felt right at home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 12 Ratings Summary

"Miguel Zenón feat. Spektral Quartet" is the best rated episode of "NPR Tiny Desk Concerts" season 12. It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/4/2019. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Buddy".