Bob Boilen

While this Sacramento, Calif. band didn't win this year's Tiny Desk contest, their video entry, for the song "Peach Scones," was among the more memorable we've ever seen.

This week's essential mix has music from Thom Yorke's first-ever film score, a pulsing cover of Califone's "Funeral Singers" from Sylvan Esso, obliterated guitar rock from Squirrel Flower and more.

Jupiter Bokondji and his band Okwess play music that feels both African and American, with Jupiter's early musical tastes inspired by The Jackson 5, James Brown and the sounds of Motown.

The band makes life-affirming music that singer Kalmia Traver created over the past few years, filled with the triumph of being cancer free.

In this candid conversation, the singer reveals he hasn't felt compelled to write a new song in years, talks about the desire to better know himself and reflects on the very meaning of life itself.

The U.K. post-punk band's new album celebrates humanity in all its forms.

On this week's essential playlist, Cat Power teams with Lana Del Rey, Greg Laswell reflects on the devastating effects of addiction, Anna Calvi sings "Don't Beat the Girl Out of My Boy," and more.

Two classically trained pianists pick up electric guitars and dive into uncharted musical waters. Here, Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart explain their first album as Ohmme.

For their sixth album, Marauder, Interpol come out swinging. Singer Paul Banks shares some of the thoughts and stories behind every song.

The Australian duo's video and song, "Kids," is an anthem for teens trying to find their place in the world.

They are often beloved classics, or works of pure genius. And you never, ever need to hear them again. They are the songs that must be retired.

The Band's Robbie Robertson describes how The Band's unique, honest and eclectic sound evolved in the basement of a house they called Big Pink, and the process of creating Music from Big Pink.

One of our favorite new artists of 2018 visits the Tiny Desk.

Cautious Clay appears destined for stardom. Watch a stripped-down video that addresses that very subject.

Darlingside's dark songs are full of light, illuminated by voices that come from on high.

Moses Sumney, standing alone on a stage, along the harbor of Newport, delivered a palliative set that explored doubt, loneliness and self-care.

Del McCoury has been performing, and updating, his take on bluegrass for some 60 years. At the Tiny Desk, he brought three traveling songs and some good yarns to share from his ample time on the road.

The singer and guitarist fields comments from listeners about her music and talks about the ways her songs can be interpreted.

The precise serrations of Washington, D.C. band Flasher get softened for a visit to the Tiny Desk — their vocals, normally side-by-side rushing electric instruments, get the center stage treatment.

Lucius' fifth appearance at Newport saw the group outdo itself, with choreography, a tribute to Richard Swift and many, many friends.