How do you love rap when rap doesn’t love you back? From Rico Nasty’s harassment from toxic Carti fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion’s entire image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot - the second season of our investigative hip-hop podcast - unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that hold the entire culture back. Tap in to our first episode at n.pr/louder-season-2.
This is my 76 year old father's current favorite band. "Remember when you played that Mandolin Orange song for me, well I found them on RU-vid. I watched the Small Office Concert. I am listening to all their music......"
Listening to this on my sister’s birthday who passed away last year at 53 I listened to this song as i held her liveless hand while we waited for the funeral parlor to pick her up. Happy birthday sis,glad you could spend this one with mom. 😢
Condolences my friend. I lost my beloved Lisa one year ago this month. She was only 55 years old. I never got to say goodbye to her. I hope we get to see our loved ones again in heaven. Now I'm crying tears of sorrow and loss. So unfair is this life
Yes there song ships sail away made me cry while cruising through a park not because of sadness but tears of hearing beautiful music and seeing God's beautiful nature
To NPR: massive thanks for hosting one of my all time favorite bands (and so many others), Tiny Desk deserves a spot on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. To Mandolin Orange: massive thanks for your beautiful music over the years. There's much melancholy in much of what you do, but also an unyielding feeling that things - somehow - will work out. Hard to explain but that's my gut feeling every time I hear your music.
You know, I have to agree with you that this just might be number one. I love what Andrew and Emily have brought together in this quiet but amazingly powerful set. To spread the kudos, Joan Shelley has a great concert as well!
The warmth of the music, harmonies and the sheer joy they show playing together, makes you feel you are watching something magical unfold. One of the finest acts around today, long may they continue.
Mad credit goes to the sound engineer on this (and many other) Tiny Desk recording. They're all good but this one is especially exquisite - that person deserves a raise on the strength of this recording alone.
"It should have been different It could have been easy But pride has a way of holding too firm to history And it burns like wildfire" Those lyrics hit! 12:00
As a southern boy, it's comes across as being mighty kind of them to ascribe it to pride. Writing it off as pride is being generous for many of the folks I've known..
Golden embers really hit me hard my mother died in my arms five years ago what a really beautiful touching song made me think how great a woman my mother was I will never forget her and what she gave to me in her wisdom thanks for the great song plus I'm from NC as you guys are that makes it all the better
I'm pretty sure this is written for the guy's mother that passed away - I know one of his songs is dedicated to that time bc he told the story at their concert I saw - they are incredibly talented & amazing live.
I'd had been watching them far a while when this happened. Such a great choice for tiny desk. These two have created a few song that transcended themselves and we who listened. They wove an emotional rope into the past and pulled into now and tossed it into the future tug of war that still is and will continue. The futility of grieving, the hope that travels on, the stupidity of war and hatred all riding on the melody strings that plays within us all.
I've watched around a hundred of these Tiny Desk Concerts and this one, the simplest so far, has moved me to tears. Maybe being 76 years old has something to do with that. Inspirational performers who make me impatient to get back into my studio writing, playing and recording.
I lost my mom at the end of last year. But my aunt has really been my mother figure, raised me, and three other generations. I miss my mom but this first song reminds of how unfathomably heartbroken I will be when my aunt passes to the other side. Much love to all the old hens.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is knocking it out of the park! I think this is exactly what NPR hoped for when they started the Tiny Desk Concert series. Sweet!
Their music always reminds me of home. Staring up at the stars on a summers night, campfire going in the background, cicadas louder than ever. Even as I lie here miles and miles from home, I can still feel the grass between my toes and smell the smokey air.
I’m on my Folk and Bluegrass fix during another quarantine during this pandemic...Mandolin Orange got me hooked to Wildfire years ago and been a fan ever since.
In 'The Wolves' the women they sing about is the Statue of Liberty and how the doors of America are being closed to people. Fantastic song writing for troubled times.
Thank you to those at NPR and their TIny Desk Concert series for continuing to be my best follow. Steadily opening my music universe to new and wonderful music. I’m astounded that they’ve had 6 albums and I’ve never heard them. Going to enjoy acquiring their stuff to add another layer to my library.
Can't remember exactly how i subbed, but can't put it better than you have. NPR and their Tiny Desk Concert is such an amazing portal into new artists and genres.
I've seen this band live twice and always plan to see them again. Their music is just so warm and ethereal, I am so happy NPR finally gave them a Tiny Desk. Their music is soothing on a whole other level.
I was whistling "Wildire" while I did the dishes last night and it took me forty minutes to remember this band's name. I've been listening to them all day.
I keep on coming back to this. This duo is in such a perfect sync and harmony, I've never heard anything like it before. AND, I want to point out what a good mic selection this was. It's incredibly balanced, complimenting the balanced duo. I want more of this!!!
" Wildfire" is the song that set me on the path to become a huge Mandolin Orange fan. I looked up Joseph Warren, mentioned in the song. A general, he got permission from his superiors to wear the uniform of a private in the battle of Bunker Hill. He fought with distinction and died there. "It could've been easy..." Today, I am taken by a thought that never has a foe vanquished by the US been treated so viciously. We rehabilitated Germany and Japan, but we kept the South under the thumb of "reconstruction." Those who can't learn from history are bound to repeat it.
If anything, the song is more critical of people in the south who still identify with the confederacy. And the point of reconstruction was to make sure the south actually implemented federal laws... because they weren't really on board with the whole giving black people basic rights thing. I can't really understand how you interpret something so undeniably necessary as the most viciously we've ever treated a vanquished foe.
I'm not ashamed to say I've been here a many times to listen and watch these two create pure beauty that I will treasure until my ears cannot hear anymore and even then, my memory will play these songs over and over again. 💛 It's just too f**kin good.
This isn't the kind of thing that I would normally listen to but these two are something special. I have been listening to their albums on Apple Music. The music really connects.
Not sure a 52-year-old father of 3 adult children is their target demographic, but this may be one of the most relaxing breaths of fresh air I've felt in a while. And I do not like when artists, male or female, or judged by their looks, nor use them to sell their songs. So this isn't about looks. But how did she know at 1:38 to open her eyes, and be staring right into the lens...into our souls...and then immediately glance away? It had a hauntingly beautiful effect on the performance.
I don't think you can truly understand how masterfully this is produced until you listen to most of these bands live elsewhere. I've watched a ton of their concerts and I always find myself back at NPR. A ton of talent behind that camera.
Just found these guys today. Listening to their studio recordings is one thing but hearing them live in a stripped down setting makes it so much better. I can feel their connection, drawing out words the same way and the dynamics are so balanced. For some reason it's almost like they're trying not to cover each other up by being too loud. The result is perfect balance.
Never commented before but felt compelled to express the wonder the first song makes run through my being when I hear it, it’s a simply beautiful piece of music! Life would be wrong without stuff like this!
THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG --GOLDEN EMBERS -I LOVE THE FIDDLE IN THIS SONG !!!! WHAT A TREAT TO LISTEN TO HER PLAY THE FIDDLE !!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SONG !!!!!!
Mandolin Orange!!!!!!!!! I love them so much. So many great songs and killer albums that you can just play without having to skip the ones that are kinda lame, because every single song on the whole album is smooth like butter and it just melts into the next one. kinda like their harmonies
It’s been amazing to watch them grow musically and in popularity. I started listening to them about 6 years ago or so. Music that just makes you feel good
Been listening to them and catching them at festivals for years. Beautifully written songs and amazing harmonies. Their music has been woven into the fabric of our routine in our house. Explore all their stuff, and you will be hooked.
Fantastic! I've been watchin' them for quite a while now. I'm glad they finally made it to the Tiny Desk. I'm a Yankee but I was born in St. Louis, MO and in my 30s I had the good fortune to move with my family to Chapel Hill, NC their (MO)s hometown. It is a wonderful place filled with traditional music and musicians. Mandolin Orange is an ambassador of North Carolina culture. Gosh, I miss it.
