Phosphorescent: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Phosphorescent's Matthew Houck specializes in a sort of free-wheeling weariness, with songs and characters that work extremely hard at taking it easy. Watch Houck play a stirring, road-ragged solo Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR Music offices.
Set List:
"My Dove, My Lamb"
"We'll Be Here Soon"
"The Mermaid Parade"
"Los Angeles"
For more videos or to subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts

[@culebeenz]

the tone of his voice is so humbling and real. it completely consumes all of your attention.

[@alisonderrick1067]

You are a most rare and beautiful treasure. Thank You so much for you and your gift of music and how you use it to heal broken hearts. All Love and Blessings

[@JamiePaulMusic]

ah, let him do whatever he feels he needs to do, as he's attained an authenticity most of us can only dream of

[@simone_asleep9953]

SETLIST
0:05 "My Dove, My Lamb"
7:06 "We'll Be Here Soon"
10:41 "The Mermaid Parade"
14:53 "Los Angeles"

[@liamkendall2829]

He has to be the most chill person ever

[@jpmogan745]

This reaches my soul. His music has such longing......

[@meganite4]

I never thought electric guitar could sound so soft and beautiful!

[@wildlizzard1]

It has a music box quality with a drone string. Maybe the prettiest tune I've ever heard.

[@CAl3vara]

They captured me at the first line "I remember evenings when my dad would sing. I'm hiding in the hallway I'm listening" I remember my dad playing guitar in the hallway at nights to help me and my sister sleep. This is why I wait for tiny desk concerts like a meth addict by their lab.

[@scottgrant9541]

brings back warm fuzzy memories of set at Primavera last year and the hug of satisfaction from lovely senorita beside me

[@cdaltonc76]

I fall asleep to Matthews voice, I have been a fan for over 8 years

[@1leisure1]

Now 11 years.

[@marinak3376]

A beautiful and unique voice that isn't created by bs equipment/ techniques.

[@armouredkitten1]

I'd like to ask anyone if they also think he looks like a scruffy Ryan Gosling?
I'm in love.

[@bobbylove5711]

Yup... totally his brother or cousin!! .. both independent , artists.. that are beautifully.. freer than most!.. great call! 👌😉

[@bamadave83]

love his voice so much

[@stilllifewithguitar184]

Man that's beautiful...

[@seathestarrynight]

I don't want my dove to ever end... brilliant

[@MatthewJohnson-zx9zs]

his new song "Rebirth in New England" has zero weariness, but a whole lot of happy free-wheelingness

[@ioana485]

I 😍 love you! 😘 Phosphorescent 💙💜♥️💞💋

[@juzagirlntheroom2692]

Would love to have this version of Mermaid Parade all on its own. Its my favorite.

[@dmoneywise]

I like his voice

[@PaperMonocles]

Beautiful.

[@PhilBeach]

Nice roaming rocking waning and waxing of sharp as rock and smooth as folk.

[@gvianagoldberg6241]

in love with this

[@aikoyonamine]

Beautiful

[@indiecalms]

Great great voice!

[@jimrook8713]

That is a gorgeous guitar

[@denisevancauwenberg7718]

I will hug him

[@markwinfield5377]

If I was to set up a church, 'My Dove, My Lamb' would be one of the hymns

[@TheMarbleIndex3000]

Bill Callahan influence. I like it.

[@PhilBeach]

ThanXx!

[@jkm3297]

Dang that’s good!

[@tompicker]

Great !

[@Kashed]

I never knew Giovanni Ribisi played guitar and sang.😋

[@youllregretit]

he's like the tallest man on earth, but more mellow. me gusta

[@dingledan1966]

the mediumest man on earth :)

[@frederiklippert]

05:58..... he's looking into my soul...

[@jefftig811]

Right?!

[@mathea3014]

i felt it too :O

[@charleshanchett]

Back when people coughed into their fist...

[@skaasjager5356]

Simple. Real. Makes music because he has to. See you you in Den Haag, Maat. you'll have to play Wolves for me.

[@ace71730]

Great performance. His voice reminds me of J Roddy Walston and the Business just a bit.

[@jamieholmes5443]

To me this has just a little more stardust thatn your regular beard.

[@rainbowneznarf]

I kind of want to marry Matthew Houck....

[@battmuha9]

This guy and John McCauley are so much alike.

[@malcolmdee8630]

I need that Homer Simpson figure on the shelf behind

[@jhonnygringo1514]

identical twins with the deer tick guy?

[@TheLMack]

@margittarget This would not make it better, this would make it someone else. The best music is by people we can relate to.

[@altcountryfan]

I that a Fender Jazzmaster?

[@steffenla4]

Yeah. Looks like a '63 or '64. Gorgeous!

[@TheDutchard]

he looks like a scruffy john turturro

[@dmoneywise]

i think it is just you.

[@jefflorenzini]

He reminds me of John Prine. I wish the camera work was better, too close!

[@doublewavee]

@margittarget Completely disagree.

[@guzzopinc1646]

standard tuning! hilarious.

[@stellajayne]

What the hell is funny about the fact he's in standard tuning?

[@guzzopinc1646]

stellajayne i can't remember why I wrote that! must have been funny at the time…

[@ChaplainDMK]

+Guzzo Pinc A bottle or two of wine does that to you

[@guzzopinc1646]

Right...this music is like a bottle or two...

[@KellanJames]

+Guzzo Pinc He said "I just got a new guitar with a new tuning", but its standard tuning. Maybe that's why lol

[@strumbadstroller7350]

Great Stuff Mattew but you really need to give the tobacco, nasty ol' smokers cough you have there & I want to see you perform many many more times.