Better Oblivion Community Center: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

NPR Music
NPR Music
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Publicado 2019-04-30
April 24, 2019 | Bob Boilen -- When this fabulous new duo arrived for their Tiny Desk, it felt like old friends coming home. Both Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers are Tiny Desk alum. Conor's first Tiny Desk Concert came during his Upside Down Mountain Tour in 2014. Phoebe has come by twice in the past few years, first as a solo artist in 2017 and then as part of another creative and collaborative endeavor with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker as boygenius in 2018. So, unlike the bundle of nerves that often come with an appearance at the NPR offices, this one was fun and, at times, silly, like when Conor Oberst sang into a fake rubber microphone on the other end of a chopstick that was sitting on my desk. But there was nothing trivial about the songs or the collaboration.

Better Oblivion Community Center came as a surprise to us all this year and, at the moment, their self-titled release is my favorite record of 2019. It's that rare musical partnership where each injects vibrancy into the other's creative side. And when their voices intertwine, there's a radiance that often feels joyful even while singing words like the ones on their opening number, "Dylan Thomas."

"I'm getting used to these dizzy spells
I'm taking a shower at the Bates Motel
I'm getting greedy with this private hell
I'll go it alone, but that's just as well"

Christian Lee Hutson backed the duet on guitar and electronics. Phoebe and Conor also had me playing whirly tube on the final tune, "My City." So I was whipping a corrugated, ribbed plastic hose over my head, creating a high pitched siren sound, trying to blend in with Christian's electronics on "My City." It was my Tiny Desk performance debut, and I was thrilled to be part of this magical act.

SET LIST
"Dylan Thomas"
"Exception to the Rule"
"My City"
MUSICIANS
Conor Oberst: vocals, guitar; Phoebe Bridgers: vocals, guitar; Christian Lee Hutson: guitar, pocket piano; Emily Retsas: Omnichord

CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Bronson Arcuri; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kimani Oletu, Bronson Arcuri; Production Assistant: Adelaide Sandstrom; Photo: Amr Alfiky/NPR
Todos los comentarios (21)
  • @nprmusic
    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.
  • @Jawzay
    I haven't even started a band and Phoebe Bridgers is already in it
  • @diaspo
    Phoebe Bridgers' has broken the Tiny Desk algorithm by joining a new band every five seconds.
  • @amenasaidzada191
    this proves it's always Phoebe convincing the bands she's in to have uniforms or coordinate fits.
  • @_tovi
    Wow she really looks like Phoebe Bridgers and that girl from Boygenius
  • @256Bit
    Phoebe Bridgers looks like Scott Pilgrim's next big crush.
  • @timothypeters7748
    Conor Oberst released his first album in 1993. Phoebe Bridgers was born in 1994.
  • @benbeach2703
    If I was in a band with Phoebe Bridgers I would simply fall in love with her.
  • @dynamitesatellite
    I love that Phoebe always looks like she's having so much fun when she plays with Conor and gets to rock out a little bit more than usual. She has such joy on her face.
  • @McBeatleMania
    9:19 I miss (Conor looking at Phoebe, Phoebe looking away) you (Phoebe looking at Conor while Conor looking away in the exact same moment) my feels
  • @katiek.982
    first thought: that guy looks like Conor Oberst second thought: huh he sounds like Conor Oberst third thought: ooooooh
  • @MelanieAnneAhern
    Shoutout to Bob’s arm for taking one for the team. Must’ve been tiring.
  • @iamthew0lf
    Seeing Conor Oberst age really makes me realize my own mortality. “And the worlds got me dizzy again, you’d think after 22 years I’d be used to the spin.”
  • @dannylovegood2421
    i wish i could see what phoebe sees when she looks up to summon her lyrics
  • @christopherjaques9439
    As a long life, life-long fan of Dylan Thomas did a double take and rewind at mention of his name! So just know you are being listened to in Wales about 40 miles from Laugharne. Lovely sound. I am long into retirement and NPR has been my most loyal companion. From Aberystwyth Wales
  • @sweetgoose
    Props to Christian Lee Hutson on the other acoustic guitar. Check out his album beginners if you love Connor and Phoebe!
  • @haydensutherland4405
    Can we just take a moment and appreciate Bob Boilen actually being a part of a Tiny Desk set
  • @ARedBucket
    Bob made us all so proud. Do you your thing, Bob. Whatever that thing is.