Tiny Dancer / In The Sand

Have you guys heard of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts? And if so, why didn't you clue me in sooner?

They're mini-concerts video-recorded live in the perfectly cluttered office of "All Songs Considered" host Bob Boilen. Indie, gospel, hip-hop, jazz, classical, reggae, gypsy punk: there's something for everyone. Most artists play a set of three or four songs, every now and again there's a little talk, some bring friends along for the ride. What a lovely idea!

Recommended sampling:
Ana Tijoux
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
The Tallest Man On Earth

The Secret Life Of Plants

As you are probably aware by now, I've got a big ol' crush on a group called Matmos. A real big crush. A gigantic crush. So of course they showed up to play a gig in Chicago approximately t-minus two seconds after I got on a plane for The Continent. (I can only complain so much here, you know what I'm saying?) Luckily, I was able to send a trusty second in my stead and the report came back positive.
How positive, you ask? Well, Matmos opened their set with a piece for acoustic cactus. THINK ON THAT, LIEBLINGS.



(oh so special thanks to haven, who attended a concert and found a video.)