This guy once actually walked around a festival helping my friend look for me. He didn't know me or my friend, just genuinely trying to help. I wasn't really impressed with his performance back then, but I was a teenager. Now about to turn 40, I appreciate his creativity and how wonderfully human he is.
its crazy how many stories on youtube comments about andrew similar to yours I've read. someone mentioned him walking around new york and looking like he was glowing. it's quite strange but he does seem to be saintly. And thats not me idolizing him because it's not like that, but just from objective observation. His interviews with children, his uplifting and humane music and on a mission to love and make people happy, and rebellious performances which are self-sacrificial. i just started getting into him a week ago but he fascinates me bc there's clearly something special going on with him thats deeper than just being a rock star
A while back, I had found a copy of “55 Cadillac” on vinyl, but it was being shipped from Germany. I waited months and months for it to get here in time for the solo show I was gonna see Andrew play in Cleveland and it somehow managed to get to my house THE DAY OF the show. So after he played I waited around to get it signed and when I gave it to him he said something along the lines of “wow! I didn’t even realize that people wanted to listen to this album!” And I had told him how anxiously I was waiting for it to get in the mail and how jazzed I was to get it in time for the show and so he wrote “trust in the omens and follow the party” on it. You can tell he was genuinely appreciative that someone cared so much about that album enough to want to own a copy and get it signed. It’s truly a work of art and was him baring his soul and his years of abilities, unfiltered and untethered. I’ve seen him a couple other times since then and has always been super pleasant and kind, genuine dude. I don’t think the audience really understood him here which is sad. Music can speak even when it doesn’t seem like it’s saying anything at all.
Knowing he’s improvising brings tears to my eyes. For his bravery and the beauty of being free. I wish we all could improvise a little (a lot) more. And the music is nice too. It’s not perfect which is great because nothing is perfect.
I once got to be on stage with my arm around Andrew WK. I shall never ever forget the pure joy of that performance. His music has always been there for me and people so often misunderstand his approach. A true enigma and conduit of positive energy and excitement. Never let down. 👍🏼
The beauty of pure improvisation. Putting yourself out there without fear, risking humiliation. Andrew WK is is the eptitome of creativity. He is motivation personified
Even when he first got popular I could tell he was more of a genius than people had a clue about. I've watched some interviews recently and he is so eloquent and genuine. So happy he's getting married and that his new album is brilliant
Well, if you’re trained in classical piano, you’re really improvising in the sense you’re probably imagining. There is a specific structure and shape that he’s experimenting within. Think about Jazz. If you have a quartet “improvising” how can they possibly play as a unit? It’s because there is a standard “shape” that they’re all adhering to. Same thing here. Though honestly, a lot of this is good enough to be written.
@@friendship6668 he’s marrying again? To Kat Dennings? Wow. That was quick. He was married for 12 years and broke up recently enough that he has only _just_ released the breakup album.
It’s funny how NPR is treating this like a “throwback” rather than themselves and the audience totally misunderstanding the performance at the time. This should have been available a long time ago.
I don't think you understand what "throwback" means. This wouldn't have been as valuable as it is today had it been released a decade ago. Time gives value to all things. What was misunderstood and underappreciated 10 years ago might still be misunderstood today, but it tends to be appreciated more all simply for the fact that it is already in the past, not happening anymore. That is just how we are, we can only truly know and optimistically weigh the value of something once it is no longer. This is also the reason why all "content on-demand" will not last very long.
Nothing but crazy respect for this guy, I saw him at a Big Day Out circa 2009 and he put on a wild show for like 30 people while everyone else has dispersed to other acts. Everyone else missed out, Andrew WK turned up big time.
I don't think it was a bad laugh. It quickly turned into a clap of approval. We're used to laughing at punchlines to show acceptance of the joke/thought and that's what it started off as. Love his candor and ability to throw himself into the fire. Wouldn't be surprised if it was meant to be slightly a joke as well in a self aware way. Beautiful dude.
andrew wk has a tongue in cheek sort of self awareness about him and his philosophy and persona im like 100% confident he knew what he was saying would come across as silly, even in its earnestness
@@tawdryhepburn4686 Hi! It's me 3 years in the future!!! I just want to let you know that the OP was talking about the concept of the Tiny Desk concerts not Andrew as an artist.
I’m 5 mins in and never realized I could like instrumental piano this much The emotion in his chord progressions and the power he puts into his playing is actually amazing And this is on the spot?!?!?!!! Wow
"I don't have anything to motivate anybody specifically. I have no idea what I'm doing and that's the state I would like to be in... and really put yourself out there even if it's humiliating. That's where I want to be." I think this video is more performance art than anyone realized.
So happy to realise Andrew W.K. is an improv dude. Props for him to clapping back, and also the guy who actually bothers to talk to him after performances. Feels like people I'd want to know, in the wildest way possible.
That first improvisation he did was awesome! I saw him play live a long time ago. It was the most fun show I've ever been to. He let fans on the stage the whole show to sing with him and stuff. The guy is amazing
I was so hoping he was going to end the first improv with The Peanuts score (like the guy in the audience mentioned). Even when he doesn't know where he's going, his music makes me happy. "I have no idea what I'm doing and that's the state I like to be in." That's the best.
This is what tiny desk is about the true art of the weird pulling the artist or band out of what is there nor, sometimes taking the music for what it is n just loving the act of art with a small crowds n a feeling that something different is about to happen
sooooo far ahead in terms of showcasing live improv art at a time when he could’ve done any other safer choice this is so inspiring to be free and be open in many areas of life
I laughed out loud with confusion and absolute joy when Andrew ended his song like that 16:25 he truly is a special, precious human and I’m so fortunate to be alive to hear his latest album
One of a kind,how many are introverts and extroverts at the same time and can teach a class on how labels are all a social concept that doest mean anything
anyone who doesn't get this doesn't 'get' andrew... as in, we aren't meant to get it. there's something intangible about him, but he is undoubtedly genius. take some time to look through his body of work.
One andrew wk show I went to he knocked it out of the park. It was a small club. Then I went to the 7 11 around the corner afterwards and he was buying all the local kids slushies
Wow, that was a wild ride.... From Keith Jarrett and Little Richard, to Joe Cocker with a touch of Tom Waits. (No offense meant; those are/were all great musicians, as is AWK.)
I am half of WYLD STALLIONS, I'm sorry bill couldnt be here today so I'm gonna thrill you with some most excellent keyboard jams . Station 😂🤣 I dig what he is doing but he reminded me of Bill amd Ted's excellent adventure . He gives off a Little bit of a Keanu vibe. Not musically , just his look
I can always tell what periods of time when Andrew was lifting. He doesn’t look as jacked as he does in other videos here. He must’ve took a break when this was recorded.
So is the gag that people expect Andrew WK to be wild and crazy as his songs and videos, when they seem him perform in this intimate venue and be almost the opposite they think it's a gag and he's about to bust out partying at any moment?
I read this comment and expected people to be talking during songs or something. After watching the video I realized that this comment is a huge overreaction and you need to relax.
A lot of new and fantastic performances are not showing up on the Apple podcast App such as; Leslie Odin Jr, Megan Thee Stallion, Wale. Is this intentional?
This guy once actually walked around a festival helping my friend look for me. He didn't know me or my friend, just genuinely trying to help. I wasn't really impressed with his performance back then, but I was a teenager. Now about to turn 40, I appreciate his creativity and how wonderfully human he is.
its crazy how many stories on youtube comments about andrew similar to yours I've read. someone mentioned him walking around new york and looking like he was glowing. it's quite strange but he does seem to be saintly. And thats not me idolizing him because it's not like that, but just from objective observation. His interviews with children, his uplifting and humane music and on a mission to love and make people happy, and rebellious performances which are self-sacrificial. i just started getting into him a week ago but he fascinates me bc there's clearly something special going on with him thats deeper than just being a rock star
That’s such an awesome story
A while back, I had found a copy of “55 Cadillac” on vinyl, but it was being shipped from Germany. I waited months and months for it to get here in time for the solo show I was gonna see Andrew play in Cleveland and it somehow managed to get to my house THE DAY OF the show. So after he played I waited around to get it signed and when I gave it to him he said something along the lines of “wow! I didn’t even realize that people wanted to listen to this album!” And I had told him how anxiously I was waiting for it to get in the mail and how jazzed I was to get it in time for the show and so he wrote “trust in the omens and follow the party” on it. You can tell he was genuinely appreciative that someone cared so much about that album enough to want to own a copy and get it signed. It’s truly a work of art and was him baring his soul and his years of abilities, unfiltered and untethered. I’ve seen him a couple other times since then and has always been super pleasant and kind, genuine dude. I don’t think the audience really understood him here which is sad. Music can speak even when it doesn’t seem like it’s saying anything at all.
That is one of my most prized vinyl albums
This *exact* same thing happened to me, except I saw him in Virginia. Same record shipment stress though.
Knowing he’s improvising brings tears to my eyes. For his bravery and the beauty of being free. I wish we all could improvise a little (a lot) more. And the music is nice too. It’s not perfect which is great because nothing is perfect.
I once got to be on stage with my arm around Andrew WK. I shall never ever forget the pure joy of that performance. His music has always been there for me and people so often misunderstand his approach. A true enigma and conduit of positive energy and excitement. Never let down. 👍🏼
me too - i'll never forget it
The beauty of pure improvisation. Putting yourself out there without fear, risking humiliation. Andrew WK is is the eptitome of creativity. He is motivation personified
Great comment! But I'm not liking this to make sure it stays at 69.
Even when he first got popular I could tell he was more of a genius than people had a clue about. I've watched some interviews recently and he is so eloquent and genuine. So happy he's getting married and that his new album is brilliant
Well, if you’re trained in classical piano, you’re really improvising in the sense you’re probably imagining. There is a specific structure and shape that he’s experimenting within. Think about Jazz. If you have a quartet “improvising” how can they possibly play as a unit? It’s because there is a standard “shape” that they’re all adhering to. Same thing here. Though honestly, a lot of this is good enough to be written.
@@friendship6668 he’s marrying again? To Kat Dennings? Wow. That was quick. He was married for 12 years and broke up recently enough that he has only _just_ released the breakup album.
@@tawdryhepburn4686 yea the shape is just staying within a key basically
It’s funny how NPR is treating this like a “throwback” rather than themselves and the audience totally misunderstanding the performance at the time. This should have been available a long time ago.
I completely agree. It's a shame it wasn't released 10 yrs ago.
Lol it’s barely watchable
Completely correct 👍
@@sullenpuffin watchable? Your nonmusical mind can’t differentiate from watching and listening. Sad.
I don't think you understand what "throwback" means. This wouldn't have been as valuable as it is today had it been released a decade ago. Time gives value to all things. What was misunderstood and underappreciated 10 years ago might still be misunderstood today, but it tends to be appreciated more all simply for the fact that it is already in the past, not happening anymore. That is just how we are, we can only truly know and optimistically weigh the value of something once it is no longer.
This is also the reason why all "content on-demand" will not last very long.
Nothing but crazy respect for this guy, I saw him at a Big Day Out circa 2009 and he put on a wild show for like 30 people while everyone else has dispersed to other acts. Everyone else missed out, Andrew WK turned up big time.
I feel like this is the side of Andrew W.K. we needed to see
awk's randy newman phase
@@executioners_bong the best phase
He’s actually such an awesome guy.
12:00 he gives a heartfelt description of his mindset and the crowd laughs... I am pretty sure he was being sincere.
I don't think it was a bad laugh. It quickly turned into a clap of approval. We're used to laughing at punchlines to show acceptance of the joke/thought and that's what it started off as.
Love his candor and ability to throw himself into the fire. Wouldn't be surprised if it was meant to be slightly a joke as well in a self aware way.
Beautiful dude.
@@cscansin I think people thought it was a joke or could be a response to feeling awkward because they aren’t sure if it was sincere or not
andrew wk has a tongue in cheek sort of self awareness about him and his philosophy and persona im like 100% confident he knew what he was saying would come across as silly, even in its earnestness
There's something very cool about seeing a Tiny Desk concert before anyone really knew or cared what it might turn in to.
Glad you like it! Stay tuned every Saturday for more throwbacks from the archives!
What it might turn into? He had already been famous for 10+ years…
@@tawdryhepburn4686 Hi! It's me 3 years in the future!!! I just want to let you know that the OP was talking about the concept of the Tiny Desk concerts not Andrew as an artist.
I’m 5 mins in and never realized I could like instrumental piano this much
The emotion in his chord progressions and the power he puts into his playing is actually amazing
And this is on the spot?!?!?!!!
Wow
"I don't have anything to motivate anybody specifically. I have no idea what I'm doing and that's the state I would like to be in... and really put yourself out there even if it's humiliating. That's where I want to be." I think this video is more performance art than anyone realized.
100% he is performance art. He really embodies this line of humiliating himself and humility.
Andrew WK is in a stage of his career where people are looking back. Its a great body of work.
So happy to realise Andrew W.K. is an improv dude. Props for him to clapping back, and also the guy who actually bothers to talk to him after performances. Feels like people I'd want to know, in the wildest way possible.
This man changed my life. One of the rawest, most genuine Tiny Desk’s ever.
That first improvisation he did was awesome! I saw him play live a long time ago. It was the most fun show I've ever been to. He let fans on the stage the whole show to sing with him and stuff. The guy is amazing
I was so hoping he was going to end the first improv with The Peanuts score (like the guy in the audience mentioned). Even when he doesn't know where he's going, his music makes me happy.
"I have no idea what I'm doing and that's the state I like to be in."
That's the best.
I LOVE ANDREW W.K! he's so adorable and humble and talented.
"Thanks so much for having me. Uhh, have a great work day." 😄 What a nice guy.
Andrew WK is a true gem
Andrew’s so humble here. Looks like he went there preformed all by himself! What a champ! 🤟
A blast from the past.
Yup! Stay tuned every Saturday for more throwbacks from the archives!
This is so genuinely wonderful. I love andrew wk so much.
This is what tiny desk is about the true art of the weird pulling the artist or band out of what is there nor, sometimes taking the music for what it is n just loving the act of art with a small crowds n a feeling that something different is about to happen
WK was a major part of my childhood and I appreciate his creative mind so much. PARTY HARD
i love the video texture 💎
beautiful quote at 11:59
I hope that everyone who enjoyed or was moved by the improvisations checks out 55 Cadillac.
So glad you finally posted this because I think about this rendition of I Get Wet once a week
Talk about sticking with you
Party, er, moderately!
11:58 I was finding his performance kinda funny and wasn't getting what he was trying to do until his explanation.
I am loving his energy.
He's magical
sooooo far ahead in terms of showcasing live improv art at a time when he could’ve done any other safer choice
this is so inspiring to be free and be open in many areas of life
I laughed out loud with confusion and absolute joy when Andrew ended his song like that 16:25 he truly is a special, precious human and I’m so fortunate to be alive to hear his latest album
You deserved a better audience than that
YES!
this rendition of the moon is a harsh mistress has been in my head for 15 years ❤
One of a kind,how many are introverts and extroverts at the same time and can teach a class on how labels are all a social concept that doest mean anything
i love his personality
Wow man he is a very talented pianist.
I had no idea that he could play piano like that! And I'm glad that guy mentioned walking with Linus. I definitely heard that.
Andrew WK is a freakin super hero
Awh!!!! I love this! This kinda blew me away, nicely done! I was like WOAH, first few mins!
anyone who doesn't get this doesn't 'get' andrew... as in, we aren't meant to get it. there's something intangible about him, but he is undoubtedly genius. take some time to look through his body of work.
Well said!
Somewhere in this from the archives series is the vulfpeck tiny desk
One andrew wk show I went to he knocked it out of the park. It was a small club. Then I went to the 7 11 around the corner afterwards and he was buying all the local kids slushies
love this so much! Andrew is the best.
changed my life
That Jimmy Web cover was moving
I like how they added distortion to his piano by using a substandard recording set up
You were sitting on this for more than a decade...... smh npr
Wow, that was a wild ride.... From Keith Jarrett and Little Richard, to Joe Cocker with a touch of Tom Waits. (No offense meant; those are/were all great musicians, as is AWK.)
DUDE!! Can anyone fathom a Dan Decan / Andrew WK match up?! Wow.
And this is pure gold
I had no idea he played keys, let alone that well!
have you not seen any live shows/footage? He smashes the keys.
He's a classically trained concert pianist. Seems he was mostly noodling around here.
do youself a favor and check out 55 cadillac.
He did a Bach piece on a show. It was very impressive.
He’s started playing at 4 and is classically trained, he’s a very good player. Very talented musician in general.
Fantastically strange performance.
He's adorable.
I had no idea. This guy is great.
what a bloody legend
Oh I enjoyed that, the sort of thing I do when I sit at the piano, just better.
Is this the same guy from Destroy Build Destroy?
Yea
Nice elements of Jazz Classical and Rock Roll . Modern sample technology is amazing as it sounds exactly like an acoustic Grand Piano . Great stuff !
This just made me super happy! He is kinda inspiring!
That took some courage. Oddly and awkwardly inspiring. At @13 minutes I understood where his brain was at more clearly.
amazingly awkward yet fancy
The beginning of ''I get wet'' and the song about the moon reminds me of a 1973 Tom Waits performance
what a legend
I love you Andrew!
This is my favorite Arin Hanson character yet.
omfg
Party tip: Andrew W.K. is really good.
I am half of WYLD STALLIONS, I'm sorry bill couldnt be here today so I'm gonna thrill you with some most excellent keyboard jams . Station 😂🤣
I dig what he is doing but he reminded me of Bill amd Ted's excellent adventure . He gives off a Little bit of a Keanu vibe. Not musically , just his look
Apparently this guys a genius .. who liked to party
protect him at all cost
what a crazy crazy awesome guy
I can always tell what periods of time when Andrew was lifting. He doesn’t look as jacked as he does in other videos here. He must’ve took a break when this was recorded.
November 30th, that’s the day I was born 🙌🏾
had no idea he was this good
Plain T-shirt…nice.😉
One of those songs sounded like he wanted to play the Charlie Brown theme song but didn’t know the keys 😆.
As a fellow artist and musician, I really appreciate how awkward Andrew WK is. He's VERY talented and sincere at the same time.
Camera fixed on the sustain pedal pays off
A trained classical pianist
of course Andrew WK is one of the first
So is the gag that people expect Andrew WK to be wild and crazy as his songs and videos, when they seem him perform in this intimate venue and be almost the opposite they think it's a gag and he's about to bust out partying at any moment?
Honestly wish he was my sponcer😢
Wow, I loved his I get wet album when I was younger. Who would have thought this is where Mr WK would head.
He still parties hard.
@@gatesong yeah, the new album is great,
WK stand for white keys
Hahaha
Oh I thought it was the Pop Metal guy 🤔🤣😂
ladies and gentlemen, the Keith Jarrett of pop rock
Every one just needed to shut up during this whole performance. Sheesh.
There wasn't an existing tiny desk decorum back in those days.
I read this comment and expected people to be talking during songs or something. After watching the video I realized that this comment is a huge overreaction and you need to relax.
Wes Rambo you obviously didn’t relate to anything in this video.
A lot of new and fantastic performances are not showing up on the Apple podcast App such as; Leslie Odin Jr, Megan Thee Stallion, Wale. Is this intentional?
4:40 Andrew W.K. via Randy Newman.
Why wouldn't you release this?
PEACE & Love 🎼🎸🌈🎤😋🎹🎺😄
Redeye!
Wait this isn’t destroy build destroy
DESTROY. BUILD. DESTROYYYYYY
BEST version of i get wet ever preformed...ever
Please someday have Anneke van Giersbergen. She is a magical artist.
Tiny Desk is a party!
Totally!
Wheres the GWAR performance?