Seeing her so young and alone there, back at the beginning melts my heart. Standing in her self, in her truth and SO GOOD at her musical expression. She makes me feel brave, and like dancing. All these years later, the meaning of her songs has gotten clearer, and we have come to understand better the depth of her humor and her heart.

imagine my surprise when looking for another npr concert and found the history of tiny desk concerts, and see Thao was one of the first!! So so cool.

The guys makes a big deal out of "we're so special and you're so lucky to have been chosen by us" then they make a lot of stupid, cringeworthy and uniformed borderline racist comments - the spelling and pronunciation of her name - the one about the calf muscles : "Is this something in the heritage?" - which she handles with aplomb. She is fantastic. I discovered her by accident on KZread and immediately fell in love. I'm going to see her tonight! Her band, The Get Down Stay Down, is also incredible. It's interesting to see others try to pigeonhole her style - Bjork, Bright Eyes etc - forget it -she's an original!

@deborahlpollitt9463

9 жыл бұрын

Alimony Slim Yes, She's amazing!

@teddison11

9 жыл бұрын

Alimony Slim I don't agree that that was borderline racist. May have been awkward but it was a simple question, nothing wrong with asking someone about their culture he genuinely didn't know.

@wunkewldewd

8 жыл бұрын

+Alimony Slim I don't think they're racist, I think Bob Boilen and co are just reaaaaal awkward. She's great though yeah.

@Lisa-td7vq

8 жыл бұрын

+Alimony Slim Funny finding you here! I think she is fantastic too. Also...as if she would be laughing at her heritage...

@elephantdoodoo

24 күн бұрын

💛💛💛

Why isn't she more famous!? Been listening to this since HS.

@TchengWongFei

8 жыл бұрын

+mztriz There are two types of singer: entertainer and artist. Entertainers draw people's attention from more than just art. And real artists don't quite give shit about that kind of filth. Glad I can't buy any entertainment from any entertainer at all.

music to listen to while its snowing outside and you are warm tucked away in a greenhouse paradise.

Idc but when I was a softmore I use to walk the water canals listening to you... While practicing my Kendo. U brought a peace to me. As a child I had a tough life, but with u it felt so normal. So thank you THAO. Much love. This is 2018. Took me forever to find this video. I had it on my old iPod which got stolen.... So I am so glad I found it now. Sang these to my kids. I'm 26 now. ❤ being suicidal, I never thought I'd have kids.... So singing your music. Has brought me peace.

@kevinmore5986

Жыл бұрын

any updates in 2023?

Set List "Bag of Hammers" 0:00 "Beat (Health, Life and Fire)" 5:52 "Big Kid Table" 8:21 "Feet Asleep" 13:12

@ft-eg8tq

6 жыл бұрын

thank youuu

"Its a phonetic disaster" the phrase. Amazing set.

I just keep coming back and watching this show. I love the uniqueness of her voice and her songs. Wish I could hear more.

I started on you tube searching for Maria Bamford and ended up finding Thao who I will now be listening to for a while I imagine..would love to hear Thao and Zee Avi playing together.

Bag of hammers(0:00), Beat (Health, Life, Fire 5:50), Big kid table (8:20), Feet Asleep (13:10)

Her music puts a smile on my face!

I've watched this about 15 times already and I just love her flow and feel. It's so amazing, it's weird but she reminds me of Elmo or Grover from sesame street, her energy is awesome

I came here since she is now hosting the Song Exploder podcast, she is really amazing !!!!!

I feel Thao's heart and soul emanates when she is playing, you can tell how much she loves the process of art and music and soul. I say Kudos to you, and hell I think it would be so sweet to jam with her one day. Yeahhhhhh :)!

Met her at a wedding. Through marriage I guess I will be related to her, in a way. I can say that she is an absolutely sweet human being. You would never guess that she was a performer with a strong fan base. Very easy to talk to. Very intelligent and well spoken. I'm def a big fan of her as a person first and performer second. I hope she continues to do well.

@MusicMan3

7 жыл бұрын

jebadiah fyefye you're not related her parents came here from Vietnam with no family after the war.

got to see her in lubbock, texas recently. she is awesome. can't help but groove to her songs.

I absolutely love the "Tiny Desk"- idea. It brings music back to life and in a more human and honest way. It`s an healthy reminder. Especial today where MTV and everything else is about narcissistic drama queens, bragging and all that.

@TheNewYear75

2 ай бұрын

all these years later- the public agreed with you!

i'd love to be able to play guitar like her. she's amazing. i love her shirt too!!

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

I love ❤️ her shirt also

She absolutely shreds it on the the solo on Big Kid Table!

I remember first hearing of her from an obscure KZread link a few years ago. I am so pleased to see her on NPRmusic's channel!

Beat (Health, Life and Fire) has one of my favorite guitar patterns of any song I’ve heard and I’m amazed she can pull it off so well live

Man, I love Tiny Desk!! No way I would ever have heard of Thau. So So glad I found this channel.

I can't get enough of this. MORE PLEASE.

@neccowaif9

Жыл бұрын

I hope you've been enjoying her musical journey all these years too! I forgot about her for awhile after Bag of Hammers, but she kept going, growing.

If I smile any bigger, I might swallow an ear! This chick's awesome!

I just love her, I've been back to watch this video 3 times now and actually bought the cd haha

Totally digging her style and really enjoy her voice!

I just want to say I love her every day. Her show in PDX was fantastic@

@DanhNguyen-vo1cv

3 жыл бұрын

Hi em

I keep coming back to this

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

Me to

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

How are you doing today?

I thought this was Yukimi Nagono befor her Little Dragon amazingness... p.s I never realized how long ago y'all started these little desk mini concerts! 🌻😱🥰

Tiny Desk has come a looong way.

@The_Death_Owl

7 жыл бұрын

I know it's a larger desk these days!

people who can enjoy this are actually listening to the sounds. all of these "why doesn't she" comments just ring arrogance and expectations from some musical conditioning. it sounds and feels hella good to freely listen to this.

Heard this a while back, and was blown away but forgot about Thao. Then she and 'The get down stay down' had a live KEXP set. Blown away yet again, and thought this deserved another visit, god damn these songs are great.

I like it a lot she's so fresh and natural...this is refreshing really...hope she'll stay the same....

What an interesting thing to see this super early tiny desk concert. I had no idea what the rest of the room looked like.

Oh noooesss..I'm in love! :*(

fell for another one... damn musically inclined girls be growing love in my brains

I love her. She's obviously very pitchy, but I think she pulls it off well. Super talented! You go Thao! :)

how can the first three minutes not make you fall in love with her?

GREAT vocal percussion ;D

What a beautiful sound in your heart.

Thank you!

Always impresses when an artist can pull off a recorded with a band as an acoustic solo. Lover her, I really do. Best feel-good music I've heard in ages and ages.

Enjoyable, love the rhythm in your soul, and how very unique you are.

I just don't understand how this woman working at NPR is on her computer browsing the internet with her back turned to her haha.

@ayvenmoon

7 жыл бұрын

There are times when everyone around you is having fun but you gotta finish that one project since deadline was yesterday...

@halfstep44

7 жыл бұрын

Ayven Moon like ya know....unlike the o.o, some of us actually work for a living

@Ellier215

5 жыл бұрын

Ayven Moon are you the kido on the internet?

@wyyrdojim

5 жыл бұрын

Because her ears work both ways?🤔😋

@nickrussell9646

4 жыл бұрын

A power move...she's that cool because she works at NPR.

I love the signature of her energy.

i love when people compare people to other people. so what. she is she. he is he. we are we. BEAUTIFUL! i am a fan.

Great artist and great music. This is the package deal ... Love it!

ABSOlutely, if you have nothing nice to say, just shut it! ...totally agree with your point, man. This girl's amazing! I'm so thankful for these NPR shows. ...all good in their own way. This is one that should be located on the highest of shelves, IMO. ;-}

I didn't know the second song was by her, I've been listening to that song for over a year

wow i love this series from npr, realy great

Now this is some music you can get down with, and stay down 😁😉

Such talent, in all musical aspects. Much respect.

she has a new album and it's amazing

I love her!!!! She's amazing

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

Me to

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

How are you doing today

I simply can't stop watching it.

good sound, i love her shirt!!

I would probably not look twice at her if i seen her in an everyday situation But the beautiful unorthodox music and soul of this girl blows me away . She is so hot to me because of what she does and how talented she is ! I am a sucker for a girl that plays music and or sings..But this young lady stands out from the pact ! Her guitar is very simple at times when looking at it on paper but i play and struggle to play her (as mentioned by tiny desk guy) off kilter melody....

i love the awkwardness of the guy at 5:36. sooo good!

I really enjoyed this, thank you!

i love this ever so much!

Imagine being one of the few people in the room for this. I just wish the cameraperson had captured her guitar playing a little better, especially for the last song. She's all-around amazing.

I like this set much more than the cd versions and i love the cd :D

mmhmm....this is by far my favorite live performance of Thao. It really captures her essence. -Vincent

PBS broadcast of "nobody dies: a film about a musician and her mom and Vietnam" ...brought me here. Love, love, love you girl! Similar to Rickie Lee Jones

@neccowaif9

4 жыл бұрын

I SO want to see that! Can't find it anywhere!

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

You look amazing

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

How are you doing today

I love that voice!

Good I like it keep it up, just simple sounds

I had a dream yesterday where I was walking joyfully on a beach and jumping around and it was super bright and sunny. Thao literally followed me everywhere I went and played bag of hammers. She is utterly pleasant.

I love her singing almost as much as her guitar playing!

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

Me to

@louisscott7225

3 жыл бұрын

How are you doing today

She's amazing

awesome. just awesome.

I watched the time: under a minute and I felt in love! When I press: send - the clock is under 3 minutes - what can happen yet? 🙈😂

amazing

Wow, Tiny Desk has changed so much in the past 8 years!

You are the coolest person to come out of W&M!

i love this

she's so eccentric :)

She's my new favorite artist!

love thao

Reading through the comments section has been interesting. It's unfortunate that when people hear Thao's music they dig it then they see what she looks like and they're surprised she *looks* Asian. There's always a comment about how she seems more white than Asian. Guys & gals, she was BORN IN VIRGINIA. The United Fucking States of America! She's not white washed. She's AMERICAN. Just because we're not white (I'm Filipino American) doesn't mean we weren't born here or less American than you. Unless you've got Native American in your blood, just keep your stupidity to yourself, please and thank you.

@daveed7633

10 жыл бұрын

Well put! As my friend says: "F**k a bunch o' b**ches!" (b**ches being people in general). In any event, spot on. I'd go further: "Yeah, just a human...being (verb)!"

@jimgusto

9 жыл бұрын

Guia, on behalf of my wife (Born in Cebu, but American naturalized citizen)& on behalf of my nieces & nephews...Thank you!! (and Yes...I'm part Native American as well. ONLY "part". But mostly various European County's heritages going back to the mid-1700's.) An American's an American. Many of us are some kind of mixture if our families were here long enough. Some people just don't seem to get that. Darn near all of us came from some place else. So a lot of us need to climb down from our high horses and get over it. We're Americans doggone it. You are indeed absolutely correct!

@florascent9ts

9 жыл бұрын

jstillusion lol @ "I'm American" The only true Americans are Native Americans. _Everyone else_ is an immigrant or a descendant of an immigrant. Yes, even mixed European Americans (like German Scotch-Irish Italians; basically different shades of white) aren't straight American.

@florascent9ts

9 жыл бұрын

jstillusion And _I'm_ saying there's no such thing as "just an American." The OP is just pointing out how silly -a lot- some of commenters keep saying "OMG she's so white washed for an Asian" and "From her singing I thought she was white, I can't believe she's ethnically Asian!" (after which people want to bring up nationality, which is fine and absolutely correct). Which are things people who are ignorant about intergenerational assimilation say.

@tle7812

9 жыл бұрын

of course she's white washed. lots of people are 'american' but have a voice that represents where they come from. These are the things I've noticed about Asian American women. They'e idea of 'American' just seems to be whatever white americans are into but everyone else knows that American can represent something that is non-white and yet very American. Asian American women's idea of success is proportionate to how 'white' they can get.

love it.

I always thought it was cool that someone with the same name as me was a sweet indie/folk artist :)

@kahzee

9 жыл бұрын

Christina Nguyen No offense, but isn't every third Vietnamese person's last name Nguyen :)

@azxzn

9 жыл бұрын

Carsten Wendler Her first name.

@marknomura7453

9 жыл бұрын

Christina Nguyen How is it pronounced?

@azxzn

9 жыл бұрын

Mark Nomura like 'Tao' but said like a question because of the accent on the 'a'

@dkbrantley5009

7 жыл бұрын

Nguyen is pronounced like the English word "When."

This reminds me of this and that of this with a dash of this that.

wonderful

truly fresh. what the people crave.

she's fearless and beautiful

I can see that. I think its the laid back way of singing they both have, like it seems like they are barely opening their mouths to sing but still amazing warped chill vibes come out. I can feel that.

Uf esa última canción es una locura

wonderful.

i would like this a million times if i could

wow . she is really original . makes me want to chill on the beach with her .

Bag of hammers 0:00 Beat: 5:50 Big kid table: 8:20 Feet asleep: 13:10

I can't take this...she's friggin' amazing.

Awesome! Period.

I love the way she plays guitar

awesome!

Thao, I been wit ya since the beginning, and you just get better and better. Everyone should know your name.

It's awesome

I clicked on this randomly... Love the first song "bag of hammers"? Soo much fun!

she reminds me of a Muppet character dancing around lol love her sound, and no joke she becomes apart of the song when she sings, she's not just reciting she's experiencing the song

@neccowaif9

Жыл бұрын

So much! I just saw her live with her band a few months back and she still absolutely embodies what she's playing.