Kevin Kaarl: Tiny Desk Concert

Anamaria Sayre | January 8, 2024
Singer-songwriter Kevin Kaarl applies his indie-drenched vocals with an entirely new vision at his Tiny Desk concert. Pairing folksy, trumpet rhythms with twangy banjo, the Chihuahuan artist transfigures traditional Sinaloan instrumentation into styles more recognizable among American folk bands.

Opening with "Me Va a Costar," twin brother and trumpet player Brian spins sweet harmony on the track. Transitioning to the guitar and banjo-driven, trumpet adorned "Te Quiero Tanto," Kaarl strings together romantic melodies with endlessly rich vibratos and stunning falsetto.

He switches to one of his earliest hits, the relentlessly romantic "Vámonos a Marte." "Vámonos de viaje a las estrellas y a Marte (Let's go on a trip to the stars and Mars)," he coos, "A olvidar nuestros problemas, tan punzantes (To forget our stinging problems)."

He pauses to leave a regalo (one of his boots, and he confirmed he walked home with one foot shoeless after doing so) and then ends with the folky "San Lucas" — a track fit for any indie king.

Multi-faceted in his lyricism and vocal abilities, Kevin Kaarl took his banda Sinaloense roots and shined in performing a style that virtually none in his part of the world are playing with, innovating and smiling all the while.

SET LIST
"Me Va a Costar"
"Te Quiero Tanto"
"Vámonos a Marte"
"San Lucas"

MUSICIANS
Kevin Hernández: vocals, guitar
Bryan Hernández: vocals, trumpet
Francisco Rueda: drums
Daniel Chaparro: bass
Ulises Villegas: guitar, banjo

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Anamaria Sayre
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Zayrha Rodriguez, Maia Stern
Audio Assistant: Ted Mebane
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Catie Dull
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

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