Accessibility links
More Photos From The Tiny Desk : All Songs Considered Each week at NPR Music we bring in a couple of bands to perform at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen. Photographer Abby Verbosky offers a behind-the-scenes view of the shows (and the NPR Music offices) in this special photo gallery.

All Songs Considered

Upgrade Your Playlist

All Songs Considered

More Photos From The Tiny Desk

By 

Abby Verbosky

Every time we film a band or an artist for a Tiny Desk Concert, we also bring in one of our talented multimedia interns to shoot photographs of the show. This fall's photo intern, Abby Verbosky has been here for nearly every show since September. We asked her to compile some of her favorite shots and describe what types of musical moments she looks for when taking a picture.

  • Olof Arnalds walks toward the "skinny end of the 5th floor" where she performs a Tiny Desk Concert with David Jonsson on October 20th.
    Olof Arnalds walks toward the "skinny end of the 5th floor" where she performs a Tiny Desk Concert with David Jonsson on October 20th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Olof Arnalds shows off the backside of her charango, a stringed instrument made from the back of an armadillo on October 20th.
    Olof Arnalds shows off the backside of her charango, a stringed instrument made from the back of an armadillo on October 20th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • David Jonsson and Olof Arnalds after they finished performing a Tiny Desk Concert on October 20th.
    David Jonsson and Olof Arnalds after they finished performing a Tiny Desk Concert on October 20th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • David Wax (guitar/jarana) and Suz Slezak (fiddle/donkey jawbone) perform with their band, David Max museum on October 12th.
    David Wax (guitar/jarana) and Suz Slezak (fiddle/donkey jawbone) perform with their band, David Max museum on October 12th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Mike Roberts of David Wax Museum tunes his acoustic bass on October 12th.
    Mike Roberts of David Wax Museum tunes his acoustic bass on October 12th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Arone Dyer and Aron Sanchez of Buke and Gass play a Tiny Desk Concert October 7th.
    Arone Dyer and Aron Sanchez of Buke and Gass play a Tiny Desk Concert October 7th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Gyptian sings reggae, accompanied by an acoustic guitar on October 6.
    Gyptian sings reggae, accompanied by an acoustic guitar on October 6.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Chris Otepka of The Heligoats sings with his acoustic guitar on October 7.
    Chris Otepka of The Heligoats sings with his acoustic guitar on October 7.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • The Heligoat's Chris Otepka tells a story about how he'd push his eyes to see shapes before singing a song about the experience on October 7th.
    The Heligoat's Chris Otepka tells a story about how he'd push his eyes to see shapes before singing a song about the experience on October 7th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Bob Boilen adjusts a camera while recording a Tiny Desk Concert.
    Bob Boilen adjusts a camera while recording a Tiny Desk Concert.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • A shirt and vest are laid out on the piano before Nellie Mckay and her band play a Tiny Desk Concert on October 15th.
    A shirt and vest are laid out on the piano before Nellie Mckay and her band play a Tiny Desk Concert on October 15th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Nellie McKay sings behind Bob Boilen's desk on October 15th.
    Nellie McKay sings behind Bob Boilen's desk on October 15th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Nellie McKay with her band as they perfrom on October 15th.
    Nellie McKay with her band as they perfrom on October 15th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Richard Thompson sings and plays guitar from the Tiny Desk on October 19th.
    Richard Thompson sings and plays guitar from the Tiny Desk on October 19th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Richard Thompson stands behind Bob Boilen's desk while the cameras roll during his Tiny Desk Concert on October 19th.
    Richard Thompson stands behind Bob Boilen's desk while the cameras roll during his Tiny Desk Concert on October 19th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Yolanda Kondonassis plays the harp with her eyes shut on October 12th.
    Yolanda Kondonassis plays the harp with her eyes shut on October 12th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Yolanda Kondonassis tunes her harp before she performs a Tiny Desk Concet on October 12th.
    Yolanda Kondonassis tunes her harp before she performs a Tiny Desk Concet on October 12th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Members of the 12-person choral ensemble Stile Antico sing beautifully as NPR staff watch on October 15th.
    Members of the 12-person choral ensemble Stile Antico sing beautifully as NPR staff watch on October 15th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Members of the 12-person choral ensemble Stile Antico sing beautifully as NPR staff watch on October 15th.
    Members of the 12-person choral ensemble Stile Antico sing beautifully as NPR staff watch on October 15th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Nick Lowe plays behind Bob Boilen's desk on October 19th.
    Nick Lowe plays behind Bob Boilen's desk on October 19th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Nick Lowe is seen in a camera that NPR's Michael Katzif adjusts during his performance on October 19th.
    Nick Lowe is seen in a camera that NPR's Michael Katzif adjusts during his performance on October 19th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR
  • Nick Lowe swings off his guitar after he finished his last song on October 19th.
    Nick Lowe swings off his guitar after he finished his last song on October 19th.
    Abby Verbosky/NPR

1 of 22

Although I spend most of my time as a photo intern at NPR researching other people's photographs for the website, the Tiny Desk Concerts have kept me busy shooting my work. It's also a chance for me to hear great music and get one of the closest views in the office for these intimate concerts.

Every week I get to see two or three shows, which isn't bad for an office job. When shooting a performance, I try to retell any stories the artists tell.  When Chis Otepka (The Heligoats) was a kid, for example, he'd push his eyes in his sockets to see trippy colors and shapes.  During another show, Nellie McKay took out her contacts so, she said, she could perform better.

This gallery of photos offers a look around the Tiny Desk, from the hallways to the office windows. The "skinny end of the 5th floor" fills with music, singing and energy that no other work environment, or music venue, could replicate.