The Tiny Desk Concerts

Ok music geek and geekettes: I have some good news for you. Tired of listening to radio stations that play "Firefly" by Owl City (wink, wink Scotticus) 19 times a day on the hopes that you might be exposed to new music that's actually good? Tired of reading music magazines that tell you how great a new band is only to actually buy the album and be utterly disappointed? (I'm looking at you Rolling Stone). Well there is hope, and it comes via podcast from NPR. And yes, I know how stupid that last sentence sounds.

The 'Tiny Desk Concert' podcast from NPR (available by subscription for the low, low price of FREE) is awesome. Next time you are logged on to iTunes listening to 30 second snippets of songs you used to love in high school do yourself a favor and go to 'Podcasts' section of the iTunes store and subscribe to NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. It's free... you have no excuse not to.

It's a simple premise: an artist or band comes to NPR's office in Washington, DC (I think that's where it is) and sets up shop behind Bob Boilen's desk to play a 10 to 20 minute set. These are obviously "unplugged" sessions, which is great in my opinion as it forbids an act from hiding behind distortion fueled microphones or complicated reverb-creating compu-machines (I'm looking at you, Peter Wolf Crier). Plus - the production value is good: multiple cameras/ angles and good compression mics produce crystal clear images and almost-as-clear sound.

The reason I love it (besides that it's free)? It is one of the best resources to expose yourself to new artists. I usually watch every new episode with an open mind, and I enjoy almost all of what I see. Occasionally there will be a classic cellist or some choir singing the works of some 17th century British composer that no one has ever heard of, but it is NPR after all. And a little culture won't kill you. Did I mention that it's free?

Do yourself a solid and check it out. What's great is that after you subscribe, you can look through the archives and download previous concerts that you'd like to see. Some of my favorites? Phoenix sounds very cool when they are stripped of their polished electronic sheen. Gogol Bordello is by far the coolest band you've never heard of. Edward Sharpe just might be Jesus (verdict is still out...but just look at the guy). Dr. Dog, Lost in the Trees, The Avett Brothers, the list goes on and on....

Oh, by the way... did I mention that it's free?