Watch Weyes Blood play "Andromeda", "Wild Time" and "Picture Me Better" at the Tiny Desk.
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Dec. 11, 2019 | Robin Hilton -- For most of her performance at the Tiny Desk, Nataile Mering, the transfixing voice behind Weyes Blood, sang with her eyes closed, lost and blissed out in the gently sweeping sounds. She didn't say a word until just before the last song, when she smiled and thanked everyone for coming. But you could feel the warmth and beauty and yearning in what was a tranquil, stirring set.
Mering and the other members of Weyes Blood kept the mix simple and restrained - a strummed guitar, two-part harmonies, a brushed beat - but still managed to re-create the majesty and wonder of the band's latest release, Titanic Rising, one of 2019's loftiest and most layered albums. The group played three cuts from the record, opening with "Andromeda," an astral ode to love, followed by the awestruck "Wild Time" and "Picture Me Better," a heartbreaking remembrance of a friend who died by suicide while Mering was working on the album.
Much of Weyes Blood's sound and vibe is rooted in '70s folk-pop traditions, with mystical themes of rambling on to find meaning and purpose. Mering's flawless voice recalls Karen Carpenter (though Mering says she doesn't care much about The Carpenters) and her melodies and progressions channel Joni Mitchell as much as Harry Nilsson. For this performance, Mering wore an all-white suit, a popular style of the era, and played a vintage acoustic Guild she bought "from an old folksinger who had lived in London in the '70s and played a lot." But, Mering later wrote in an email, the woman "played her last show, placed her guitar in the case and barely touched it until I bought it in 2016." Much like the journey of that guitar, Weyes Blood's appearance at the Tiny Desk was a beautiful trip.
SET LIST
"Andromeda"
"Wild Time"
"Picture Me Better"
MUSICIANS
Natalie Mering: vocals, guitar; Eliana Athayde: vocals, bass; Walt McClements: keys, vocals; Stephen Heath: guitar; Andres Renteria: drums
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineers: Josh Rogosin, James Willetts; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Bronson Arcuri, Jack Corbett; Associate producer: Bobby Carter; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Mhari Shaw/NPR
Want to play your own Tiny Desk concert? Unsigned musicians, enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Learn more: npr.org/tinydeskcontest.
The fact that Titanic Rising wasn't nominated for a Grammy is my villain origin story
same
honestly... it's a perfect album -- and the visuals too...
Most of the music that gets nominated and wins grammys are garbage, so the fact this album didn't get nominated is pretty much what should have happened. Weyes Blood > Grammys
Grammys don't care about actual good music.
Grammys are trash anyway
If Natalie isn't gonna sing at my funeral then I'm not dying.
😆 ...same
Ha!! Love it 🙌
wag ganyan, kuya
😂😂
And if I don’t hear her singing after I die I’m not going to heaven
the slide guitar in Andromeda never gets old. modern classic
Right? It sounds so Harrison it's making me smile everytime i hear it.
@@ezzong yesssss! Harrison with a hint of Raitt 🥰
best ever.
THAT'S why I like it so much!!!!
Blake Mills is truly a guitar genius
weyes blood: *sings* me: *transcends*
Her vibrato is gorgeous
I swear, her music makes me feel like I'm having an out of body experience...
Jonathan Parker you are having an out of body experience listening to this, and it’s not a good one.
@@DanielC__ Why so?
WITH bass player
Critically acclaimed album and still somehow underrated. I genuinely think this is the best album of 2019, and one of the best of the decade.
Totally agree
mäh
Best of the decade is a little ambitious
Omar Navarrete ONE of the best of the decade
That's a pretty big claim. Maybe you should listen to some Tedeschi Trucks.
She's an elf princess.
"elfin genre!"
Those ears!!!
0:00 Andromeda 4:45 Wild Time 11:31 Picture Me Better
classic youtube hero
I love you
you rock
bass player is actually really good backing vocal singer too
she is real cool
Eliana Athayde
I agree, but why does she have a mustache?🤔
No lie, i thought she was a dude.
@@seedlesswatermelon417 You must have noticed the stache.
The girl on the backing vocals has a gorgeous voice.
you should hear her in the album.
I like her mustache
@@JB-bi4lf that’s where the power resides
i actually thought she was a theremin on the studio recording because of how good she is
@@returnofbeaux which track specifically? Couldn't make out a different voice in any of the songs, thought it was all Natalie.
She's like Karen Carpenter, Aimee Man, Joni Mitchell and George Harrison all into one.
My thoughts exactly, but plus Ann and Nancy Wilson!
WOLF STAR Karen Carpenter and Aimee Man came into my mind as well.
Throw some Patsy Cline in there as well!
Harry Nilsson for sure.
And a little Michael Scott with the Ladies suit.
Wild time is one of those songs that i dont listen to often because everytime i hear it I want it to feel as close to the first time i heard it as possible
My favorite song
listened to it right away for the first time bc of you and you’re SO RIGHT. great experience 12/10
this is me with especially movies and now god turn me into a flower!!! also wild time but for those two ive played them under ten times because they’re reserved like fine wine for me
She’s the jewel in an otherwise dreadful year of my life. 2019 has been extremely terrible, but the existence of Titanic Rising has helped me cope with it.
Hearing you man. 2019 was a struggle but Titanic Rising was one of the bright spots in my life.
Me too
same here. It was a gem in an otherwise dreadful year.
well, someone said there are no coincidences in life, maybe she recorded that album subconsciously to help other souls out? imagine if she didn't exist or was born but never created such art, sad timeline and probably tragic for some people :(
Did we have the same year? Lol.
"I finally found a winter for your sweater" is one of the greatest line since "I wanna talk to you, I wanna shampoo you"!!!
It can be related "I want to knit you a sweater"
That lyric sounds so cringe
@@wintergirll Listen to Carey by Joni Mitchell - you will not find it cringe
@@---kp1dp do you mean All I Want by Joni Mitchell?
Lol yes ❤️
Man, Nardwuar is killing it on the drums
Stop
Doot doo!
what does fame feel like Jo
couldnt have said anton chigurh or someone that atleast resembles a lil bit?
I know right? What happened to his plaid gold cap?
“Picture us better We finally found a winter for your sweater” my heart broke
this album is criminally underrated. weyes blood is phenomenal.
@@ArchKnight28 At the same time no Grammy nominations
@@ArchKnight28 Ha yes. I wish more people knew about it.
@@ArchKnight28 However, most critically acclaimed album among the nominees (Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves) won in this year.
@@user-gk3yr6og3f I think the voters need to be familiar with the artist because they probably don't have time to listen to everything like critics do, and the artist might need a popular fan base. There are many albums better than most of the album of the year nominees and the same artists get nominated in their categories often.
Weyes Noir I think Golden Hour and WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP were steps in the right direction in terms of AOTY wins
Absolutely adore the bassist's voice. I'm going to keep coming back for the harmonies.
Yeah, who's her bassist? Cant find her info online
ladybugmerringue from the description, Eliana Athayde is her name. Her voice perfectly goes with Natalie’s
@@smelly4373 the first place I shudda looked 😊 thanks
She's excellent!
I was thinking the same thing. So beautiful.
If this band was doing this in the 70s they be rockstars. Crazy how hard it is for talented musicians nowadays to get to that level. Not saying its impossible but todays day its whats catchy and simple (most of the time)
its always been whats catchy and simple stop being edgy
@@samf9314 In the Court of the Crimson King reached No.1 in 1969.
@@patriciofernandez2711 and so did sugar sugar??
@@patriciofernandez2711 Even more recently 7empest by TOOL reached #1
Love the asthetic and its great to hear organic singing that's in tune, but I don't hear a single, as they would say in the seventies
Titanic Rising is my personal AOTY of 2019. such haunting and candid lyrics and soundscape. thanks NPR for making this concert happen!
AOTY?
jhunt5578 Album of the year
2019 AOTY
Definitely.
Same here, with black midi’s Schlagenheim coming up with a very close second
i dont really even listen to this style of music, but this album changed my life...
it aint an exaggeration
Her sound is just so intoxicating
Yes, she definitely does sound like she's on drugs. Totally agree.
@@DonnieBrasco-dy9yd bruh
At age 64, given the awful state of popular music, I had given up, no hope anymore, until today I came across this wonder, go, Weyes Blood, go! You are so intelligent, sensitive, and an amazing musician on your own.
You should definitely check out Tame Impala or King Gizzard :)
My guitar teacher just joined the band. I'm excited for him because Weyes Blood has some awesome stuff.
coooool!!!!! whats your teachers name?
@@bailarinasesina1752 He's not on any album covers (yet) but he's touring with them currently. His name is Dillon Casey.
@@m-a-s-e-y omg that's so cool, i'll look out for him on any tour vids
I was at the concert today in berlin and it was amazing!! Was ist the blonde one? Long hair?
@@yusufeke2377 Yes!! Thats the one
Best earlobes in the game.
Her ears are really hot
She’s literally one of the greatest singers nowadays. So amazing. Her voice is pure beauty. I love her so much. I’ll appreciate if you gave her the recognition she deserves.
This entire band is talented.
I'd very much like to add a name . Adrianne lenker
@@rickashley2322 YES! my 2 favorite female artists. i dont think #3 is even close
The backing vocal around Wild Time is *chef's kiss*
Weyes Blood is the experience I never thought I'd have on this decade. I just love the comfort I find in her music and voice, not all is lost ❤
beautifully put!!!
@@OMGIGILY thank you ♡
Annelie SE yes yes yes yes that’s exactly it
So warm, authentic & but so original
@@yellowclouds3722 thanks :) it's just how i feel
Strangely intoxicating. Very progressive for a folk format. Oddly there is some obscure Bowie influence here. Glad I found you.
the whole album Titanic Rising is wonderful
I've been wondering if people miss how sophisticated this music is because they don't expect it from the folk genre. I can definitely see the Bowie influence.
I hadn't thought about that, but now it reminds me of Space Oddity era Bowie.
listening to her earlier more droney and avant garde ambient folk like "the outside room" definitely gives me second half of "heroes" bowie vibes as far as where influences for where music such as that could be drawn from. it also gives me an interesting perspective for where her sophistication in her arrangements derives from as most modern pop artists haven't dabbled in such obscure and inaccessible genres
Yup. There’s a lot happening here for sure. She’s the best thing I listened to after Radiohead
Picture Me Better is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard
I'd hate to work at NPR. You're sitting at your desk trying to get your work done and then every couple of days someone comes in and says "MOVE!!!"
"I finally found a winter for your sweater." I couldn't picture it better.
Eliana Athayde backing vocals on Wild Time. Just wow.
Titanic Rising is one of those albums where you could say any song on it is your favorite and you wouldn't be wrong. Absolutely gorgeous!
Wild time might just be my favourite
I got this album a year ago, still adore it
Idk how else to describe it but her voice makes me feel safe
"It's a wild time to be alive." Really feeling that now in 2020!
2022:
She is profoundly, stunningly, almost terrifyingly talented.
The album Titanic Rising which these songs are from is a pop masterpiece. Some of the nicest production I've heard
"Movies" and "Mirror Forever" in particular have unbelievable production.
Picture me better is the most beautiful and noble song I have ever heard in my life.
Discovered the album this morning and astonished with how similar to the studio version her voice is, beautiful sadly she didnt sing movies
Look up the KEXP version
I'm in love, really in love with "Andromeda" there's something magical in that song
Brilliant backing vocals (and drive) by the bassist!
agree agree!!
im sitting here drowning in tears, realised i just discovered another discography to keep me company on the bicycle trips to the sea/work/around the world ;_;
Wild Time is an addiction, sounds too good
The last song is just an absolute masterpiece, Eliana in the back vocals is brilliant, I would listen to both of them singing forever. Superb.
Titanic Rising is such an incredible album. It’s probably the only album that I’ve listened to that sounds flawless. Can’t wait to see Weyes Blood in Australia next year
The Gobbit Its definitely good. Although I much prefer “Front Row Seat to Earth”.
Her voice reminds me of a mix between Karen carpenter and Joni Mitchell , angelic!
Wow, I posted this on FB and literally every comment compared her to these same 3 artists
from years now, I'm gonna come back to remember the exact moment I heard Weyes Blood. Phenomenal. My heart tears of pain and pleasure every time I hear her sing.
This has to be my favorite version of Wild Time. Those vocal harmonies and that guitar with the infinite sustainer, amazing.
That first song, Andromeda. Timeless.
She is straight out of the 60's. A classic icon at heart.
When "Be Free" played in Orange is The New Black, I automatically searched who was the singer and I found Natalie, since then she is one of my favourite singers and make me happy seen her on this channel and other spaces. You deserve it, girl. ❤️
H S Literally same for me! Been obsessed with The song & her Music ever since
@@lola93652💙
H S don’t forget the band
@@acurlyboi2944absolutely not, they're all amazing. 🥰
H S I literally haven’t listened to one song by them so who am I to talk anyway
A year ago I first saw Weyes Blood as a headliner and when they came on stage.. I was mesmerized by her and her voice. I couldn't stop starring at her. Absolutely amazing. I've been waiting for this Tiny Desk video for so long. Thank youuuuuuuu.
I think the word you are looking for is mesmerized my friend.
this is what heaven probably sounds like
andromeda makes me want to cry so bad
I really enjoy classic rock and folk from the 70s so this is pleasing to my ears. Such a pretty sound.
Ebo J. can you recommend some albums from the 70s that sound similar to this type of music
@@teddyeatspudding but she's more a mix of psychedelic sounds, art/baroque pop
the backing vocals are literally perfect
🤪 L I T E R A L L Y 🤪
@@juliebraden6911 what
La chica del bajo aporta mucho mas de lo que parece, sus coros hacen un contrapunto sutil pero muy evocador y efectivo.
So very true
Yep
Iba a comentar lo mismo. Los coros que aporta la bajista son increibles,
the backing vocals on Andromeda is so important. it, along with the keyboard and slide guitar, gives the song its character. such phenomenal work.
Wonderful music. Hear the influence of 1970s Lennon, Harrison, Harry Nilsson. Great to hear young people play quality music.
Forgot to mention Carpenters
I'm obsessed. The vocals, the songwriting, that sound. This is EVERYTHING.
Natalie Mering has the key to crushing musical beauty beyond words. This is true for her master piece "Titanic Rising", as well as for her previous albums. We were happy to see her stunning performance at Amsterdam in 2019.
I simply can’t get over how phenomenal this is.
Titanic Rising was my personal album of the year so it's really cool to see Weyes Blood uploaded here.
Her voice is such a unique and calming presence but it's slightly haunting & beautiful
The entire band is insanely talented.
actually, the desk is quite big
It's not a concert in a tiny desk, it's a tiny concert in a desk, there is the difference
@@Spiderboyish crickets sound playing...
You deal with the polysemy, you're good at it.
Actually, Remy, I think it's a concert desk in a tiny.
@@joao.batuca ooooooh
This album is great. Andromeda in particular is really special, such a cool chord progression and use of the slide. Hope they continue to grow and create music like this
Andromeda was part of the official soundtrack of my life in 2019. Can't be more thankful for Weyes Blood's music :)
Favorite artist/album of 2019. "Andromeda" and "Movies" have been on repeat since April.
I fell in love with these three songs because of this video about two years ago but it isn't til now that I've properly given titanic rising a chance and wow its literally flawless
I am so lucky to have seen her perform this live
ihatethebeatles wow!! So happy for you!
This and lana’s nfr are album of the year
yes!!!
lana truly overrated
@@rudy8176 ???? huh?
@@owenbutler5257 People say that to anything to the point that I don’t consider it to be a real criticism.
Have you heqrd Magdalene by FKA twigs? It's my favourite of the year after Titanic Rising.
Thank you, Dear Sweet Baby Jesus!!! Weyes Blood + Tiny Desk Concert = An early Merry Xmas to me. XOXOXO
Exactly.
Shoutout to the dude using a Squire. Great AND affordable guitar sounds.
magical
I got to catch her solo act years ago when she opened for Little Wings. I was hypnotized by her voice and became an instant fan. Glad to see she is continuing to rise.
Dude on the guitar playing absolutely nasty riffs
Jsalcedo23 cheers Geezah.
@@stephenheath What's the lil gizmo you're using during Wild Time?
dan patton it’s called an Ebow. Little blue light vibrates the string, causes sustain approximating a bowed instrument. Pretty cool.
Weyes Blood music is so beautiful, Wild Times is almost prophetic... Such a great band :)
She's such a great composer and singer. Her previous album was wonderful, Titanic Rising is truly a masterpiece. She didn't talk at all in this, but I'd listen to her speaking for hours, she's such an interesting and profound person.
She has fantastic ears.
This album gave me so much.
NPR Music please get (Sandy)Alex G to preform please his so good!
☝👆
yes
YE
The background singer has such a nice vibrato. Just beautiful.
been hoping for this. hallelujah
in love, this voice
Her voice, I'm obsessed!
Bless this woman. Beautiful voice
Such an amazing album. Thanks melon
love weyes blood so much
Utterly perfect
Wow. She's so powerful. Love her
We've just been blessed by this magic.
this song is beautiful
HOW HER SONGS ARE SO PERFECT, I LOVE YOU
Wild Time is so incredibly beautiful !!!!
Her voice is so spot on...what a performance!
They are so incredible
I love this woman
Weyes Blood really helped me out this year. She's just as good live and I can't wait to see her and the band come back into town.