Season 2012

E1. Tinariwen

Jan 5, 2012 · 15m

Even in a stripped-down acoustic set, Tinariwen's trance-inducing desert music doesn't disappoint.

E2. Le Butcherettes

Jan 9, 2012 · 15m

Watch singer Teri Gender Bender transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast.

E3. Screaming Females

Jan 17, 2012 · 15m

The band's keen sense of song prevails, especially in a new song called "It All Means Nothing."

E4. Jake Schepps' Expedition Quartet

Jan 19, 2012 · 15m

Banjo master Schepps and friends create an intriguing goulash of Bartók, bluegrass and bebop.

E5. Glenn Jones

Jan 23, 2012 · 15m

Watch the masterful folk guitarist perform a lovely instrumental set at the NPR Music offices.

E6. Anna Calvi

Jan 26, 2012 · 15m

Calvi plays songs from her self-titled debut in this powerful performance at the NPR Music offices.

E7. Girl In A Coma

Jan 30, 2012 · 15m

The San Antonio trio gets back to basics to explore its songs' forms and the soul of its lyrics.

E8. Bill Frisell

Feb 3, 2012 · 15m

The brilliant and nimble guitarist reinvents the songs of John Lennon at the NPR Music offices.

E9. The Creole Choir Of Cuba

Feb 6, 2012 · 15m

The group has revitalized a long-lost culture through music performed entirely in Haitian Creole.

E10. Craig Finn

Feb 9, 2012 · 15m

The Hold Steady singer's stark side is nicely conducive to barren arrangements at the NPR offices.

E11. Red Baraat

Feb 14, 2012 · 15m

The dance-friendly, India-inspired funk group performs a high-energy set at the NPR Music offices.

E12. Joan Soriano

Feb 16, 2012 · 15m

"The Duke of Bachata" gives a raw but beautiful interpretation of bachata at the NPR Music offices.

E13. Joyce El Khoury And Brian Jagde

Feb 20, 2012 · 15m

Hear the fresh-faced opera singers perform Puccini at the NPR Music offices.

E14. The Cranberries

Feb 23, 2012 · 15m

In this performance at the NPR Music offices, the Irish pop band mixes new songs with early hits.

E15. Milagres

Feb 27, 2012 · 15m

A band of selective minimalism, Milagres gets the most of simple sounds at the NPR Music offices.

E16. Pistolera

Mar 1, 2012 · 15m

Through her insightful lyrics, Sandra Velasquez conjures the sounds of the Mexican desert.

E17. Laura Gibson

Mar 5, 2012

Her gorgeous, whispery voice inspired the Tiny Desk Concerts series in 2008. Now, Laura Gibson returns with her band to perform four songs from her new album, La Grande.

E18. Rudresh Mahanthappa

Mar 8, 2012 · 15m

The saxophonist's new repertoire salutes electric funk, South Indian modes and swarming solos.

E19. Real Estate

Mar 12, 2012 · 15m

Real Estate wears placidity well: It's a band born and bred to convey and celebrate laconic comfort.

E20. Kayhan Kalhor

Mar 24, 2012 · 15m

A soulful master musician from Iran, Kalhor performs a beautiful improvisation at the NPR offices.

E21. First Aid Kit

Mar 28, 2012 · 15m

Sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg make charming, folk-infused pop music that lulls and enchants.

E22. So Percussion

Apr 2, 2012 · 15m

The ensemble employs all kinds of toys, from an amplified cactus to a mug filled with spare change.

E23. Kathleen Edwards

Apr 5, 2012 · 15m

The Canadian singer performs four sweet, warm, relatable songs that soothe as they nourish.

E24. Caveman

Apr 10, 2012 · 15m

Caveman writes guitar-based pop songs full of space and melodies you can carry around in your head.

E25. Novalima

Apr 12, 2012 · 15m

At the NPR offices, the band plays in a lean, funky configuration that gets the room grooving along.

E26. Soweto Gospel Choir

Apr 16, 2012 · 15m

The group fuses the music of many Christian cultures, with nods to African songs of celebration.

E27. Jolie Holland

Apr 23, 2012 · 15m

Holland plays songs with an unadorned tone that makes the voice and lyrics all the more touching.

E28. Cowboy Junkies

Apr 26, 2012 · 15m

The venerable band sounds as poignant and tender as ever in this performance at the NPR offices.

E29. Hospitality

Apr 30, 2012 · 15m

The group doesn't overwhelm so much as it wears listeners down with a subtle charm offensive.

E30. Nathan Salsburg

May 3, 2012 · 15m

The guitarist displays intricate fingerpicking in two songs inspired by Kentucky Derby racehorses.