Thao Nguyen: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Bob Boilen | July 28, 2020
For her Tiny Desk (home) concert, Thao Nguyen opens with a somber version of "Temple," the dance-oriented title track from Thao & The Get Down Stay Down's new album. The song is an homage to her parents, who were refugees of the Vietnam War. Thao sings from the perspective of her mother, honoring their hard-fought freedom and their hopes that their daughter is blessed with the ability to pursue her own happiness. She recorded it as a trio with cellists (and neighbors) Elisabeth Reed and Andy Luchansky. It's a powerful rendition that celebrates, in Thao's words, "being queer and being out in my career, something that being out publicly has caused a lot of turmoil and unrest in my own life." Please give a listen to what she has to say in this remarkable video. We also hear "Pure Cinema" from Temple and a mandolin version of "Departure" from her 2016 album, A Man Alive.
SET LIST
"Temple"
"Pure Cinema"
"Departure"
MUSICIANS
Thao Nguyen: vocals, guitar, mandolin; Elisabeth Reed: cello; Andy Luchansky: cello
CREDITS
Video by: Molly Skonieczny; Audio by: Thao Nguyen; Producer: Bob Boilen; Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Video Producer: Maia Stern; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
Пікірлер: 146
Omg I'm crying hearing Temple for the first time ever.
@TheLandscaper0115
3 жыл бұрын
Same.
@keanureeves6333
3 жыл бұрын
This is Keanu Reeves On Here Reaching Out To My Fans Worldwide..Thanking them for the Love and Support And how You Are Coping With The Pandemic And Disasters ...Hope You're staying safe?
@MRKim-kz8ds
3 жыл бұрын
I had the same reaction when she sang that first chord
I've always cried hearing Temple, but this version had me weeping. I do radio at a community station, and I've read the chorus lyrics before playing the song on the air because they go so quickly in the rock version. It is an amazing story of an entire life told in one chorus.
Deeply grateful for the words and thoughts that Thao is sharing and aiming toward our community. It's extremely difficult to have those conversations and to place yourself in a a vulnerable position and risk losing the community. I'm proud to be able to have figures like her to represent our generation.
@keanureeves6333
3 жыл бұрын
This is Keanu Reeves On Here Reaching Out To My Fans Worldwide..Thanking them for the Love and Support And how You Are Coping With The Pandemic And Disasters ...Hope You're staying safe?
Literally shed a few tears every time I hear either version of Temple. Masterful.
@keanureeves6333
3 жыл бұрын
This is Keanu Reeves On Here Reaching Out To My Fans Worldwide..Thanking them for the Love and Support And how You Are Coping With The Pandemic And Disasters ...Hope You're staying safe?
Hello, I would like to thank Thao for that version of Temple. I realize that this song is about the Vietnam war, however my neighbor is a Korean war refugee and both my wife and I are a veterans of the current war the US is in. Hearing this song was profoundly emotional. The parallels of the terrible effects of all three wars are too much for words to express.
@comment4703
Жыл бұрын
Sure this song is about the Vietnam war but music is an art form translated by all who hear. “I lost my city in the light of day” My father raping me as a newborn “Thick smoke helicopter blades” My parents physically fighting in front me as a baby and destroying the house. My mom wants me to get over it but I just can’t. If they hate each other how could they love me since I look like the person they hate. To my mom I have my dads eyes to my dad I have my moms beauty. “Heaven on earth I’ve never moved so fast” When I got revenge for the person that took away my innocence of what is was to have a home forever making me feel homeless. This includes my feet and my car. Something out of a movie I promise you. “I know your father can’t call anymore” Ever since I found out what he did, he’s cut off forever. He assaulted my baby and I wasn’t grown to defend her. If this comment is too real for you. Jill yourself you don’t belong in the future I’m about to unleash
I immediately click the video as soon as I see the name of the singer. Finally a Việt represent.
Wow. Just started watching. Got blown away by "Temple". Woooah!
Thao: a living legend of songwriting. I am sooo grateful for the power and catharsis of her words and emotion. Temple is a phenomenal dissertation on intergenerational trauma that I wish was required reading/listening. Healing us all note by note. Thank you Thao!
Love being invited to everyone’s home and creative space for some sweet jams
@MakeUpIsArtOriGinaL
4 жыл бұрын
The tone of her voice-Along with those strings.. 😊
I found Thao through her first Tiny Desk concert in 2009, she still sounds just as amazing! ❤️❤️
I've known about you for less than a week. Temple has changed my life. the words strike me and slice right through me with no resistance. Your words in this video also are very soothing. I believe you, and i believe IN you.
I was moved beyond words by Temple. Watched three times in a row after the first time. Beautiful seems too mild a word to describe it.
0:00 - *Temple* (5:59) 12:11 - *Pure Cinema* (16:31 / 16:39) 16:58 - *Departure* (20:30)
Thao's tiny desk from like 2009(?) was the first tiny desk concert i ever saw. I was like 11 y/o at the time and bag of hammers changed my life.
@andromedaimani133
4 жыл бұрын
I was a freshman in college and bag of hammers changed mine too lol
@neccowaif9
3 жыл бұрын
I was somewhere in my 50s and she struck me right down the center with bag of hammers. Something deep & honest in Thao just jumps out. She's just gotten better over time. So, there's always good new music coming out, no matter how old you're lucky enough to get.
i cry every time i listen to this performance. Temple's words articulate both the juxtaposition of sadness and hope.if there is one song that expresses the Vietnamese's exodus refugee experience, this encapsulates the range of emotions. thank you for this.
"You deserve nice things." Thank you for your gift. Thank you for your blessing.
@keanureeves6333
3 жыл бұрын
This is Keanu Reeves On Here Reaching Out To My Fans Worldwide..Thanking them for the Love and Support And how You Are Coping With The Pandemic And Disasters ...Hope You're staying safe?
Just discovered Thao Nguyen tonight (yes, I’m very late to the musical party) by way of “Nobody Dies”, which was one of the most touching docs I’ve seen in a while. Thank you NPR/Tiny Desk 🖤
Thank you NRP Tiny Desk. I am full of love of your will always trying o show the best of alternative music. If I want to be surpriced, I go to Tiny Desk. This time Vietnam. And find myself sitting with tears in my eyes.
Been listening to Thao since the beginning. So great to see her here. Such a great performer.
Temple is very powerful! I wept for my parents
I'm crying for some reason, and then you explained everything I felt from the first song. Just found you so going to look up more of your stuff. Thank you!
I first heard her from Emancipator’s song “When I go.” I’m glad she is getting the recognition she deserves.
She's one of the most beautiful people and artists I love
That first song, the strings killed it and stole the show. Love her music but they were fantastic!!
That was Felt!!!.. I just watched a PBS documentary tonight. Actually I was only listening as I was editing photos. I heard the music...... and that Voice. I quit what I was doing to check it out. When I saw Thao, it just didnt ........fit?.. What an amazing, unique, and deep artist. As soon as the doc ended, I googled the doc title and ..... here I am. Downloading the tunes now.
Wow, that first song just ripped my heart out!
Love your story, I have a good friend JASON who got out of Saigon two weeks before the fall ❤️ much love thank you for your music and of course your story
Thao is awesome! hearing it stripped down really made the lyrics come through and its clear how much of her and her families experiences are in her music
VIETS REPRESENT
Gotta love Tiny Desk and NPR for bringing together artists, musicians and the public, and spreading good vibes in these challenging times. And what a beautiful and powerful message by Thao Nguyen! TY
thank you NPR's Tony desk for providing such a very beautiful gift to everyone to our community country and to the world and also thank you for your parents bringing your family to the USA and especially John Lewis and mlk
Your monologue was deep. Thank you Sister!
Thank you for introducing me to Thao Nguyen 🙏🏾❤️
She has such a beautiful soul! 💜✨
I love her more as she grows into herself. And then Departure on mandolin.... Just sweeeet. Departure is one of my favorites, but it needs to bust raucously into Nobody Dies.
Wow, talk about finding your own voice.... Thx NPR for delivering such a wide range of excellent music
Tank you very much tiny Desk , she's great en tank you for is story hope poetry don't have the borders , merci beaucoup
@keanureeves6333
3 жыл бұрын
This is Keanu Reeves On Here Reaching Out To My Fans Worldwide..Thanking them for the Love and Support And how You Are Coping With The Pandemic And Disasters ...Hope You're staying safe?
I never heard that song Temple. It was truly amazing. Thank you.
First note I was hooked Last note I smiled In appreciation. Just to add.
😀😀 Such a pleasant surprise to say the least 🙏🏽 We've needed you this year. Thank you so much! 🌊🌊
I remember vividly going to the Buddhist Temple in Galang refugee camp to give thanks after arriving safely after escaping communist VN as a “boat people”. This song speaks to me very closely. We also went to the Catholic Church there to give thanks also. The vietnamese are practical people, we don’t let religion get in the way of survival. 😂😂 Thao, as a 1st generation US Vietnamese I fully support whatever orientation you have. Yes there are old outdated people in our community but they are in the minority. Many of us support you as an artist and human being.
@creativechristinaa
Жыл бұрын
So happy to find this amazing artist!!!
so beautiful Thao! A very moving performance. You did great, as always!!
Yet another isolation discovery, Gracias NPR👍✌️😊🙏🏼🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵🎶🎶
brave soul, gifted talent....you take care too.
i am so glad she is getting more recognition!
Love this arrangement of Temple completely deepens the feel
beautiful version of temple! and thank you for the honest words that followed.
Some balm for my nerves. Thank you for sharing!
Tears. So beautiful.
Oh this is cool, I haven't thought about these guys in a minute 👍
Absolutely brilliant. Thank you.
Enjoy it all but this version of Departure is phenomenal, and shows her amazing instrumental ability.
The sound is so good. beautiful
Blown away ~ absolutely love the new album
Thanks for releasing the strings version to Spotify! I've been waiting for this version!
That first song.....whoa.....
Thao, you are amazing as always!
It is not necessarily the music I enjoy most, but I enjoyed very much indeed your authenticity!
Love this so much!
wow.... It´ sounds incredibleeee.
all the goosebumps.
*Al comienzo pensé: ¡PERO QUE BUEN CUMBION SE VIENE¡*
@josetemarti6628
4 жыл бұрын
jaja si parece !!
this was a good tiny desk home podcast
first heard her through stickpage's Doors series. cool yourself will always be one of my faves
Gracias!!.. 🤗
Thao Nguyen? That's a name I haven't heard in a while.
@damianjimenez7190
4 жыл бұрын
Then you also missed her last album, Man Alive, which is honestly kinda a masterpiece.
@neccowaif9
3 жыл бұрын
You've got some catching up to do , my friend! She's come a long way since that bag of hammers. Just getting better.
@neccowaif9
3 жыл бұрын
@@damianjimenez7190 It's been the only CD in my car for more than a year.
What a talent
Great performance.
Very moving!
@keanureeves6333
3 жыл бұрын
This is Keanu Reeves On Here Reaching Out To My Fans Worldwide..Thanking them for the Love and Support And how You Are Coping With The Pandemic And Disasters ...Hope You're staying safe?
Tiny Desk Concerts have brought so much good listening. Please start posting these on your "podcast" (or if I'm missing it, please tell me how to get it on Stitcher) so I can keep up?
She went crazy
I think I would be a little sad to make a Tiny desk out of the tiny desk ! Amazing live nonetheless !
💛💛💛
💛
Yes, mama. Sing.
@keanureeves6333
3 жыл бұрын
This is Keanu Reeves On Here Reaching Out To My Fans Worldwide..Thanking them for the Love and Support And how You Are Coping With The Pandemic And Disasters ...Hope You're staying safe?
❤
Gave me goosebumps. So powerful.
Is she from the band "Thao and Mirah"?
Vietnames ♥️♥️♥️
They all did
Hermosa canción, pero falta ritmo de persecución!
I've always find it impressive when a musician can move their body to a different rhythm than the music they are playing. Seriously, Miss Thao - maybe give Cải Lương a try.
If anyone knows the name of the beautiful guitar she uses, please let me know
@keanureeves6333
3 жыл бұрын
This is Keanu Reeves On Here Reaching Out To My Fans Worldwide..Thanking them for the Love and Support And how You Are Coping With The Pandemic And Disasters ...Hope You're staying safe?
Thanks to Bojack Horseman I know how to pronounce her name.
@hillview73
4 жыл бұрын
how is it pronounced?
@Robin4
4 жыл бұрын
Nwin
@jimmyle320
4 жыл бұрын
Vietnamese here-Bojack Horseman got it completely wrong.
What is that guitar? Sounds killer.
@jimmyjimmy951
4 жыл бұрын
P Zilla Looks and sounds like a “Reverend, Charger 290” (P90’s with a Bolt on neck)..👍🇦🇺
@ismaelmanchego2722
4 жыл бұрын
Musica de verónica. Leal
Menino ou menina ?
Invite Sauti Sol from Kenya. Sawa
Is she Neil Youngs daughter? I like her. :-)
*bojack voice* nagaguguyaguya
2:25
2:25 - 3:23
Fkj, pretty please?🥰
Bret Weinstein on Cello.
first time being first!
So glad she paid homage to Black Power movement and the changes it spawned and the benefits non-Blacks get directly from it. Period.
Quien le abra dicho a esta mae q canta. 😜👎
XDXDXDXD
Reminded me too much of Kim Wilde's 'Cambodia' by the way. Come on.