The Polyphonic Spree : NPR

A Holiday Party For The Ages, From All Songs Considered

All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton rented a cabin in the woods for a special holiday party, with Kishi Bashi, Dan Deacon, Carrie Brownstein, and more as guests. Mike Brinson/Getty Images hide caption

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All Songs Considered

A Holiday Party For The Ages, From All Songs Considered

December 25, 2020 • In 2012, All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton rented a small cabin in the woods and invited some of their closest friends for what they were sure would be the party of the century.

Listen to our Holiday Party for the ages

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Tiny Desk Playlist: The Holiday Concerts

Hanson performs a Tiny Desk concert on Sept. 25, 2017 (Christina Ascani/NPR). Christina Ascani/NPR hide caption

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Tiny Desk Playlists

Tiny Desk Playlist: The Holiday Concerts

December 17, 2020 • From Sharon Jones to Amy Grant — and from Los Lobos to a fervent pair of hamsters — we revisit more than a decade's worth of seasonal Tiny Desk performances.

'Tis The Tiny Season: Our 5 Favorite Holiday Tiny Desk Concerts

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Tiny Desk Playlists

'Tis The Tiny Season: Our 5 Favorite Holiday Tiny Desk Concerts

December 23, 2019 • The Tiny Desk concert series is old enough to have some traditions of its own. Here are five of our favorite holiday performances from over the years.

A World Cafe Holiday: Sharon Jones, Jack Johnson, Betty Wright And More

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World Cafe

A World Cafe Holiday: Sharon Jones, Jack Johnson, Betty Wright And More

WXPN

December 22, 2018 • This special edition of World Cafe features holiday performances from Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Jack Johnson, The Polyphonic Spree and more.

A World Cafe Holiday

59:26

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings perform a holiday Tiny Desk Concert in 2015. Jun Tsuboike/NPR hide caption

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Holiday Music Specials

The Big Tiny Desk Holiday Special

November 20, 2017 • NPR Music's Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson look back at some of their favorite holiday performances at the Tiny Desk.

The Big Tiny Desk Holiday Special

58:55

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World Cafe

The Polyphonic Spree On World Cafe

WXPN

December 24, 2013 • The gigantic band has taken its joyful, exuberant Christmas music on the road, touring the country with its "Holiday Extravaganza." Hear the group play classic Christmas tunes in this studio session.

The Polyphonic Spree On World Cafe

19:30

The Polyphonic Spree's 'One-Take' Video Flop

A man calmly opens a bag of pretzels while another is mauled by a tiger in this scene from The Polyphonic Spree's "Raise Your Head" video. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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All Songs Considered

The Polyphonic Spree's 'One-Take' Video Flop

September 11, 2013 • The band's latest video is an elaborately planned mousetrap that misfires, with hilarious results.

New Music From The Polyphonic Spree, Jon Hopkins, Eleanor Friedberger, More

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All Songs Considered

New Music From The Polyphonic Spree, Jon Hopkins, Eleanor Friedberger, More

May 7, 2013 • Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton share an epic, exuberant cut from The Polyphonic Spree. Plus the experimental folk-rock group Akron Family, Sweden's Goat, electronic music genius Jon Hopkins & more.

New Music From The Polyphonic Spree, Jon Hopkins, Eleanor Friedberger, More

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Our Favorite Holiday Tiny Desks

The Polyphonic Spree: Tiny Desk Concert

December 21, 2012 • The Polyphonic Spree's joyous holiday Tiny Desk Concert in 2012 broke our record (at the time) of "most people packed behind the desk."

The Polyphonic Spree: Tiny Desk Concert

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The Polyphonic Spree Covers John Lennon For The Holidays

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All Songs Considered

The Polyphonic Spree Covers John Lennon For The Holidays

December 4, 2012 • The super-sized band is on a holiday music tour to perform seasonal songs, including a beautiful version of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." In this video, the song is set to animated watercolor paintings by artist Gala Bent.

Courtesy of the artist

Music

The Polyphonic Spree In Concert

WXPN

May 25, 2012 • The group's mix of upbeat, melodic songs and heavy themes has made The Polyphonic Spree known around the world. Tim DeLaughter and his bandmates stopped by World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

The Polyphonic Spree In Concert

44:15

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All Songs Considered

All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special 2011

December 20, 2011 • There's more to the season than "Jingle Bell Rock." This week, the All Songs crew spins some holiday music you might not have heard before.

All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special 2011

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All Songs Considered

All Songs Considered Holiday Music Mix '09

December 18, 2009 • It's that time of year again, when we gather 'round the warm glow of a computer to air our grievances with one another, hug it out and spin some seasonal songs to make it all better.

All Songs Considered Holiday Music Mix '09

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World Cafe

The Polyphonic Spree: Euphoric and Cathartic

WXPN

August 10, 2007 • Few bands can rival The Polyphonic Spree's stage presence — not to mention its size: The group boasts a whopping two dozen members, who combine to make a sound that can be sprawling, inspiring and haunting, sometimes all at once.

The Polyphonic Spree: Euphoric and Cathartic

Live in Concert

An Epic Performance by the Polyphonic Spree

June 30, 2007 • With two-dozen uniformed members, The Polyphonic Spree is more like a small army than a band. True to its image, the Dallas-based group makes high-energy, symphonic rock with the exuberance of a heavenly choir. Hear the band in concert.

The Polyphonic Spree in Concert

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Concerts

The Polyphonic Spree and Mark Olson in Concert

WXPN

June 29, 2007 • Few bands can rival The Polyphonic Spree's sound — not to mention its size. A whopping two dozen members strong, the group brings its commanding stage presence to a live performance at WXPN and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, along with alt-country singer Mark Olson.

Hear Mark Olson's Performance

All Songs Considered

The National, Polyphonic Spree, Patti Smith

June 14, 2007 • A beautifully fake empire from The National; New music from the epic Polyphonic Spree; Brilliant new pop from Scotland's Travis; Lennon via Jakob Dylan, Dhani Harrison and more.

The National, Polyphonic Spree, Patti Smith

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All Songs Considered

The Best Songs of 2004

December 27, 2004 • Below are the 20 most mentioned songs from both listeners and reviewers with randomly selected comments from some of those who picked them.

The Best Songs of 2004

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All Songs Considered

Look Ahead: Spring 2004

March 24, 2004 • A special sneak preview of upcoming releases with an exclusive cut from Wilco's new album, A Ghost is Born. Also featured: New music from the Polyphonic Spree, Patti Smith, Lou Reed and more.

Look Ahead: Spring 2004

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Music Interviews