Carrtoons: Tiny Desk Concert

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Published 2024-02-12
Bobby Carter | February 12, 2024
In the spirit of Kenny Beats, Zaytoven, and Nile Rodgers, Ben Carr, aka Carrtoons keeps the producer-led Tiny Desk tradition alive. Another tradition developed over the years is the first look each artist gets at the Desk when they first walk into the space. In some cases, it feels like a star meeting another star. But here, it's a musician who's made a name for himself composing for others, emerging as an artist in his own right. He walked straight to the Desk in attack mode.

I first heard of Carrtoons while I was locked in the house during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was scrolling on Instagram and found him playing his bass guitar to looped and chopped samples he cooked up. The Carrtoons rabbit hole led me to other producers who created similarly on social media. A few of my favorites including Kiefer, who plays keys for this set, got together for a special Tiny Desk (home) concert in 2021. The family vibes were in abundance for this performance. Carr's father Richard plays in the string section, and the vocal power trio of Haile Supreme, Joanna Teters and Julia Zivic are frequent collaborators. Carr graciously lent his spotlight to play highlights from his albums Saturday Night and Homegrown.

SET LIST
"Sparkle"
"Give It Up"
"Spaceships"
"Dial It Back"
"Be There For You"

MUSICIANS
Carrtoons: electric bass, vocals
Joanna Teters: vocals
Julia Zivic: vocals
Haile Supreme: vocals
Kiefer: keys
Diego Ramirez: drums
Nate Smith: drums
Richard Carr: violin
Sasha Ono: cello
Shaan Ramaprasad: violin, string arranger

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel
Audio Engineer: Valentina Rodriguez-Sanchez
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Estefania Mitre
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#tinydesk #nprmusic #carrtoons

All Comments (21)
  • @clydekaila25
    Randomly clicked on and was like..”Wow..that Soccer Dad is cool with that bass..” and then I was like “Is that Kiefer!?”..then those two started singing and the violins and the beat and I blacked out and came to after and I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re driving. 💁🏾‍♂️
  • @genosiegelli5237
    I … I just can’t fathom it … Every time I flip on Tiny Desk, it seems, there’s another group of magical musicians. Carrtoons … I had no idea … and I ❤it!
  • @ymb6987
    Come through Carrtoons! The Vocalists are 🔥🔥🔥
  • @EnglishCarmouche
    40 years old and I’m still watching Carrtoons 😂 only this time I’m sipping coffee ☕️ 😊
  • @Broncksea
    Wild that Kiefer is just here for this. Amazing.
  • @TheRealLFC_Dan
    Kiefer needs his own Tiny Desk, but Carrtoons is an entire vibe. Such soulful vibes
  • @angelwilliams38
    This soulful white man and his bass has me in TEARS!!! Bravo to all the amazing musicians in this performance….in my opinion, one of the most fluid, brilliantly executed Tiny Desks EVER🙌🏾🙌🏾
  • @chacou
    What a great combo, the vocals are heavenly and the pocket's tight.
  • To be able to sing that well live, all three of those vocalists, is absolutely incredible. Never heard of any these guys till I watched this and I’m going to go check them all out now, unreal talent all of these musicians
  • @J4ZZC4T
    Kiefer on keys, absolutely killing.
  • love the groove, pianist's chording, vibe, etc. but as an older musician who played in (gulp) bars and restaurants with his two sons as they grew up, seeing a father 'n son in a hip ensemble just warms my heart.
  • @1nite1989
    Tried to keep Carrtoons to myself since i heard "Give it up" in 2021 but I guess the secret is out....Thank you Tiny Desk for showing this greatness.
  • @kennylenny9890
    Don’t judge a book by its cover! 📕 I enjoyed every minute of this video. Everyone in here is extremely talented and has so much soul.
  • @toasterwafflez2
    First heard him when he opened for Mac Ayres. How spoiled was I? Incredible stuff
  • @LVee-ur8oj
    I cannot reveal how many times listening to this magic has saved my fkn life. This is medicine.