Aldous Harding: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубліковано 8 сер 2017
- Bob Boilen | July 28, 2017 -- Intensity in songs often expresses itself as volume - a loud guitar, a scream, a piercing synth line. But in the case of Aldous Harding it's in the spaces, the pauses, and her unique delivery. Watch her Tiny Desk Concert and you can see this in her facial expressions and body posture.
The first song she performs,"Imagining My Man," is about what she calls the "tender and frightening thoughts that come with being in love," and what you witness while watching her are often painful, pensive expressions that are as important to the song as the notes being played.
Aldous Harding is a singer from New Zealand who's inspired by British folk singer Vashti Bunyan, but making something truly unique and her own. Party, her second album, is full of deeply personal songs with memorable melodies and spare instrumentation that linger in my head long after the headphone batteries have drained. It'll certainly be a favorite on my year-end list.
Aldous Harding's musical partner for the Tiny Desk is Jared Samuel, a keyboardist who was so impressive at SXSW this year in the band, Invisible Familiars. It's his deft accompaniment on these songs that shapes the texture and pulse of them, adding tension to already taut tunes. Aldous Harding's music isn't universal, but if you lean toward loving the poetic, the melodic and the mysterious, you'll likely love it.
Party is available now.
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/par...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Party-Aldous-H...
Set List
"Imagining My Man"
"Blend"
"Horizon"
Musicians
Aldous Harding (guitar, vocals); Jared Elioseff (keyboard, vocals)
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Tsering Bista; Video Editor: Bronson Arcuri; PA: Jenna Li; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti...
She has such a baroque intensity on her face that you can't help but be mesmerized. She fully understands the theatricality of a performance. She doesn't just sing her song but she lives it. She also seems to understand music cinematically as if each song is to play a character in an imaginary movie only she can portray. She's always in character and she wants you to know it. Major talent.
major talent, yes.
actually I'm just creeped out
thanks for helping me see it!
beautifully expressed and wholly concur.
Don't her facial expressions also help her sing this way? I imagine that if you couldn't care less about how you look you can just do weird stuff with your face to help your singing?
I love Aldous
There is an incredible amount of energy inside her and you can tell she is just trying to let out a little bit at a time. It's so haunting and beautiful.
I thought it died with Nico. The unabashedly honest singing and trancelike performances.
She’s phenomenal
Well said.
thanku for connecting those dots for me....
Would you mind checking out my daughter’s first song she wrote and sings that was recently posted to UA-cam? Go to Fish Hook River Studio Artist Sessions and look for MiKayla Koski- Time
I photographed her show in Nelsonville, OH, a couple months before this was created and she stared /right/ into my camera... It was a chilling fifteen seconds. I'm still haunted. She's my favorite.
i'd like to see that picture. anywhere i can see it?
she has a strange relationship with cameras and being seen in general it seems
Ooh I bet!
Yo we need this pic!
He was probably too scared to hit the shutter button. Like a deer in the headlights.
I love how when she sings it’s like she’s seeing everything in her head, hence the facial expressions. She’s amazing.
She's got a touch of the Jack Sparrows about her.
Andy kauffman latka
She scares me.
I don't think it is physically even possible to get those different voices without making those faces. So her odd personas and movements are products of the music.
@@modifiedcontent bingo. Her whole face is part of her instrument.
I am late to the Aldous Harding party, but I am so so glad I stumbled in. Wow.
me too mate, and I'm from NZ. What a talented person she is.
Same here. Hope I'm not too late...
Nice pun 👍
@@pavement422 Oh yeah.. not intended!
ha.
@@arob184 I can't stop listening to her. Nice work NZ!
What an interesting artist. It feels like she belongs somewhere else, like some other world, yet somehow she ended up here with us. And we are lucky for it.
All my life I've had to fight to stay. Scratch....the fingers pull off fret. What a writer and performance artist.
This is one powerful human being.
Fuck. She is so controlled with her singing, it's amazing. And she acts out every action as she sings it, that's next level intensity. No wonder she sounds so good.
I feel more Human than I did before, thank you.
Word
Perfect comment.
I was trying to figure it out, how I felt. Thanks for the words.
Jah Tzu totally
perfect
I am oddly captivated by this lady. The songs are great but her energy is electric.
As long as you don't get the misguided notion to SYDIC, which you should never, ever do.
@@VisionaryCompanion What is SYDIC?
@@NibsNiven I blush to write this, but it is an acronym for "stick your dick in crazy," which is something you should never do.
@@VisionaryCompanion I have done this numerous times, but only found out after the fact. Does that count?
I wouldn't be here if my father didn't SHDIC himself.
@@NibsNiven My father SHDIC himself, which is why I am an off-kilter sort of guy. However, now that I am ensconced in the Cult of the Sub-genius, and have been Bobbed, I manage to maintain a tremulous equilibrium. Would I be better off never having been conceived? I wonder...
Wow...sometimes you listen to new music and know straight away that you’ll be listening to it in ten years...... Powerful stuff!
...absolutely...
word
Truth. I came upon her about 1.5 years ago though repeated recommendations from artists I love and immediately swallowed everything I could get my hands on. I was lucky enough to look up if she was on tour and saw her a week later. Stoked to see her next year! And excited for anything she puts out
After watching volumes of musicians whose strongest attribute seems to be confidence, it's nice see a truly unique, genuine artist. You can tell Ms. Harding really feels everything she sings and her delivery is haunting.
I think being able to perform the way she does takes the highest level of self confidence
I love the way she puts all her energy and body on the act without caring for looking girly or what ever I think she is perfect as she is. An artist.
Seeing her in person is such a chilling experience; Like a book being knocked off the shelf or hearing foot steps upstairs and your home alone with only a bouquet of roses. I hope she comes back to Tucson soon.
Trippy observations
interstellar allusion?
Super poetic, thank you for that Mark!
impressively put sir. Thank you
Who else do you like?
This is the most beautiful music I have heard in a long time.
The World is Looking for you is one of the most beautiful songs imo
A Brave New Band. Aldous Harding.
Not a band
@@sratus and yet....
Huxley 🖤
This gave me some serious chills. There's something theatrical, eerie and very powerful about her performance.
When Aldous is buried with all her songs still in her soul the earth's gravity will increase ten fold.
Beautiful. I'd love to communicate.
💙
Why would that affect the earth’s gravity? They have the same mass now.
I love the way she uses everything to create such expressive sound, such
a unique voice and intonation, can't be done without using lips, teeth,
cheeks, muscles, eyes even, to create the tensions, emotions, amazing
artist, keep being you Aldous!
Pancloth I saw in an interview she said she discovered there’s more than one way to use her voice to sing a song. That experimentation takes her to another level it’s awesome
Her vocal style is reminiscent of early Joanna Newsom at times. Harding has created what I feel the matured version of early Joanna could have been if Joanna hadn’t gone in another direction halfway through her discography. I haven’t has a real emotional reaction to music like this in quite some time. I think I’m in love!
jenessa sneva agree!!!
Cate le Bon makes me feel a similar way. Same w Adrianne Lenker
I like the comparison. Obviously considerably less sophisticated on the composition side, but more Aldous has a more sophisticated pallet as a vocalist. That would be amazing if they collaborated.
There was deadly silent after the second song - everyone was hypnotised. Nice stuff.
Unafraid of unleashing her full expression. So much respect. Such sensory beauty.
When a performer really inhabits a song in this way, you get a disturbingly intense view of the person. To lose your 'self' in this way is a powerful and dangerous way to work and few can manage it.
she makes me feel more real, in all of my weirdness. when I did not as yet feel I exist. there is something so grounding about her and yet profoundly sensitive.
nice
Blend is a MASTERPIECE!!!!
Regimeshifts and the video! Can’t comment there due to haters, but so blatantly sultry yet challenging at the same time.
This lady rules.
A magnetic performance.
Watching it on repeat 😆 she has a captivating stage persona, so unfiltered, I love it! Her voice seems to have a soul of its own, it sends shivers down my spine ❤
Mimmi I feel the same about the shivering. Lol
Exactly!
Kuuraa
Spot on with the unfiltered thing.
Everybody knows keyboardist is Dr Lawrence Jacoby from Twin Peaks
Really?
Tania III4 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Haha! And even more Coco from Yacht Rock.
:O
I thought it was Ringo 2.0
She is genius. She doesn’t need any stage at all, she is creating a universe with her voice.
She lays every emotion on the table with utter honesty and precise musicality.
Refreshing to see originality , real talent, and raw emotions ... just as music should be . There is so much junk put out today . I love Aldous for all the reasons you love honesty and truth .
Now the sugar's run out, and I don't know what to say..... wow, that's an awesome lyric💙💙💙just amazing and cathartic. She just lays it all out there. I love the raw honesty in her music.
I like that lyrics to. It's hard to understand what she is saying but, I love it.
'Horizon' made me cry a lot, i don't exactly know why, but i felt great and free ! thx for that
When ever anyone left of field performs on this platform people tear them down - we saw it with perfume genius - if her performance disturbs you, close your eyes and just listen. She has a real talent for songwriting.
totally~! this album is the tops, her actual performances are intimidating scary, big talent
@@georgefairweathermoonlight4 and its on purpose she has the talent and if she wanted to do just the pop thing easily could. It's the artists choice.
The performance is what really sells it for me, the facial expressions, the subtle uncanny valley type mannerisms, it feels like I am watching and listening to a surreal painting or something, it captured me, enraptured me, beautiful. The performance here did the opposite of disturb me (well maybe in a good way) it made it so I couldn't turn away, it inspired me to become a better artist. not only is she an amazing songwriter but you can see it in every movement that she is a true artist I love this video
The last song is so captivating. Chills every time.
Sometimes I dont have the patience for her, but when you are in a melanchonic or thoughtful space she can really get under your skin. Certainly a unique and different artist.
Unfortunately, beauty is often lost in the speeds of life. Let this be a reminder to slow down.
@@babyinvasion perfect!!👍
@@ajax428 🤍
Well, I love her
cocteautwinned Me too.
Me too
cocteautwinned me too. Discovered her by way of Spotify’s discover weekly. She’s fantastic
Me too
me too xx
Amazing. Mad, tender and brave. Ten minutes ago I hadn't heard of her.
Bijna als intense als Jim.
At first I was scared, then I was intrigued, now I'm hungry for more
so wildly talented.
Wow, the sound recording on this is incredible! Damn. Kudos technical team. Really pulled me in to this interesting performance... Thank you!
Chris Schreiber i agree!
Art. Alodous, you make me proud of the human race. Look what we're capable of.
God she is so amazing.
She has a very unique way of pronouncing words while singing and that is very attractive and distinguish to me.
Thank you nice robot lady
This was legit poetry.
she’s just kiwi, that’s why she pronounces that way.
@@59gris as a kiwi, I can say her pronunciation is unique. In a wonderful way.
@@59gris No , that’s not just a Kiwi accent .
Still here listening & watching this! 🥹
Wooo. I love her album and then this ... She gets you down as the songs get you high. Fascinating as it seems she's sacrificing her image just for the songs themselves. in 2017, in the selfie civilization, this is more subversive than telling 100 "fuck" a minute.
I love how she apologizes before Blend, when it’s absolutely the most tame performance of all 3. Like she’s apologizing for brushing normality
😆🥰
Any idea what it is she's apologizing for ? I've watched it several times and don't get it .
@@lisacolbert5987 I'm wondering if they cut it out of the video because I'm stumped too.
Marco M Here I was thinking everyone else got it , so I kept replaying it ... Thanks . Forgot to mention , after that song she Does say , "Thanks for watching" .
@@lisacolbert5987 I thought it might be using the keyboard to synthesize a band when she’d rather have a full band there
I thought she was apologizing for twiddling the knob (no pun intended)? Maybe in her mind it took her out of the character of the song or something like this?
I feel like I just found a treasure. Wow...awesome talent.
WOWWWWWW!!!!!! you blew me away, fabulous and makes me feel glad to be alive, you bring the light, shines through everything, sorry it causes so much pain to make such beautiful art
I think I have seen it all. And then I get this! Blown away!
"Here is your princess, and here is the horizon". An invocation for modern times.
I read this comment exactly at the same time she sang that line. coooooool
Her and Joanna Newsom. . . I love them. I’ve only ever really wanted to see Joanna Newsom perform live and luckily I was blessed to see and meet her in Chicago a few years ago. I’m going to see Aldous Harding in New Orleans in October at Gasa Gasa. She’s the only other one I’ve felt the urge to see.
how was it? saw her in march this year, fab xx
Have you heard Cate le Bon?
@@friendship6668 I will check her out. Thank you for the recommendation. Have you heard of Anges Obel? I’d actually go see her if she’d come to the states.
I got here after hearing her mentioned in an interview with Dry Cleaning. I can't stop coming back to this performance! She's amazing.
Same here, Florence from Dry Cleaning brought me here.
Same x
I keep coming back to this because I can’t get over how unbelievably good it all sounds. Mainly, of course, thanks to the incredible performance of Aldous Harding, but also big ups to NPR for doing such a fantastic job on the sound!
Thank you to every artist/person who has ever put their true self's in front of others :)
Putting aside all the negativity this is getting, it's a truly expressive performance which is pretty beautiful in itself.
I literally had tears running down my face while watching her perform the horizon. so beautiful.
If you listen to the Party album, you might get emotionally wrecked on a couple of the tracks - I recommend it.
I just herd her for the first time last night.
I think her voice and her expressions while singing are wonderful. Her lyrics are intense and deep and unique as well.
Im very glad I've had the honor to of been "introduced " to her and her music.
Greetings from Alaska..
Instantly loved this, the way she articulates her lyrics is wonderful!
Best thing ive seen musically in years...
hands down one of the best performing artists in a generation.
Aldous Harding, you’re perfect. I’ve seen you live and it was just an immersing experience so intense, so great, I was stunned. To everyone that jokes about your facial expressions, it’s part of the experience, part of your art! I’m deeply sorry some people cannot understand simple things like that.
Stunning! Was really positively surprised
And since this, she has released the album, Designer. I am absolutely addicted to her. She's in my top 3 female vocalists. Thank you Aldous Harding. XO
I'm blown away.
Who's the other two?!
@@MrWaldocide Elizabeth Fraser, and Ane Brun. Go figure.
@@themysticmuse1111 thanks for introducing me to Ana brun!
@@themysticmuse1111 watch the Tiny Desk with Cate LeBon…...you're welcome :) Oh, I assume you've heard Jeff Buckley and Elizabeth Fraser "All Flowers in Time"
I just love her. Her whole being is the performance, the song, the instrument. I live a few miles away from Lyttelton, where she’s from in Aotearoa New Zealand. She’s an amazing performer and story teller.
YYYESSSSS. So glad to see her doing a Tiny Desk. Such an honest and talented songwriter / singer / musician.
So beautifully hypnotic!
Wow, she's beautiful! I need a voice like hers in my life.
I may have commented on this years ago but I just like to add that I am still so much in love with these songs. Even weird to me.
NOTHING holds my attention like aldous in all and any of her incarnations.
So captivating, music from a wild west 70s outer space. She reminds me of a musical version of Adam Driver just with her expressions and dedication. AAAAH AMAZING
I absolutely adore Aldous Harding.
thoroughly enjoyed! i am surprised by the amount of negativity in the comments... in my opinion the lyrics were thoughtful and only improved with the sparse use of instruments. it is strange that people refuse to acknowledge different tastes and genres in music?
A once in a generation musician. Brilliant.
this is genuinely amazing...those who say that it's pretentious, what isn't in your mind?
Never change aldous
I was going to just listen for a second and then get a drink from the fridge and return in a few minutes but I was enraptured within 20 seconds and felt captured by their energy for the whole duration of this video, truly beautiful artwork here
Clicking on this video for the sole reason its a NPR Music video and its new then realizing that it is Aldous Harding its too good of a feeling!
183 people can't find the horizon 😁. Aldous, you're amazing!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
She sings her heart out. She is great.
I often watch small snippets of artists I don't know, and usually move on. Not possible here!
Seriously who ever does the sound for these shows should get some awards...like a lot of awards.
I appreciate the widespread of art/music Npr covers, from Christian Mcbride to this beautiful arrangement of art/music i've never experienced before! Thank you!
Remind me in details to Pj Harvery. Love
A compelling artist exploring what’s vocally possible and emotionally resonant. Such a gift.
"Here is your princess and here is the horizon" those lyrics hit hard for some reason. Absolutely beautiful and thank you for that.
The intensity and sincerity of this performance actually brought me to tears.
Some of her songs I've only listen to a couple times just because it was too painful. I weep and I'm not ashamed to do so. All my emotions are a beautiful of privilege in this reality.
Holy shit dude.. I love it
What a precious jewel she is.
How good is this lady..I see all her emotions in her face for all to see. A brilliant performance.
Fantastic! This is my third listen!
Her music makes pictures in my head.
"...if you lean toward loving the poetic, the melodic and the mysterious, you'll likely love it." - Only when it is combined in the way Aldous combines them. It in some ways should be wrong, but it is so right. The Barrel is my favorite.
She’s the first human I’ve witnessed singing as though the voice were a separate thing from the person whose mouth it was coming out of.
this music touch me
I can't thank enough for this performance.
I keep coming back to this, I don't know that I've been more moved by an artist in the last 30 years
I am moved by this music. Aldous, you are moving.