Thao Nguyen Performs NPR Music ‘Tiny Desk (Home) Concert’

Thao recorded a remoted live session for NPR Music’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert series. The leader of Thao & the Get Down Stay Down performed songs from their album, Temple, which came out in May.

Nguyen played electric guitar while accompanied by her neighbors, cellists Elisabeth Reed and Andy Luchansky, on an opening rendition of the Temple title track. Nguyen then went solo on a version of “Pure Cinema,” which also appeared on Temple. Prior to its start, Nguyen explained how songs have taken on different meanings during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discussed the strife caused by her sexuality, her Vietnamese heritage, aspects of racism and other influences impacting her life and career.

The set concluded with Nguyen performing “Departure” off Thao & The Get Down Stay Down’s 2016 album, A Man Alive. Watch’s Thao’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert below: