Ratboys — Tiny Desk Concert, 2026

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Why this recording

Three songs in nearly twenty minutes: the ratio comes down to “Black Earth, WI”, an eight-minute piece that NPR presents as a rarity at the Tiny Desk, where few bands allow themselves that kind of length. It closes the session. Between songs, Julia Steiner says the band has been watching these concerts since the days of the family desktop computer. The video was produced by Elle Mannion, directed and edited by Maia Stern, and mixed by Josh Newell.

— Simon Janvier, live-sound professional and editor of the catalogue

Recording technical sheet

Rights-holding channelNPR Music
Source statusOfficial — broadcaster or organiser
Uploaded
Exact runtime
ResolutionHD (720p+)
Directed byMaia Stern
Mix formatDedicated multitrack mix
Source qualityProfessional (multi-camera)

Metadata checked on YouTube on 29 September 2026; direction, camera setup and sound documented by the editors.

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Published on September 19, 2026 by Simon Janvier

Live concert filmed at Bob Boilen’s desk for NPR Music’s Tiny Desk series, released on 8 September 2026. Formed in Chicago more than fifteen years ago around singer-guitarist Julia Steiner and guitarist Dave Sagan, Ratboys has become a mainstay of American indie rock, between folk writing, twangy guitars and energetic build-ups. For this session, the band performs three songs — « Penny in the Lake », « What’s Right? » and the epic « Black Earth, WI », which shifts from a mid-tempo groove to an explosive riff — drawn from the album Singin’ to an Empty Chair and its predecessor The Window. Backed by Sean Neumann on bass, Andy PK on guitar and pedal steel, and Marcus Nuccio on drums, Julia Steiner unfolds her sweet voice and poignant lyrics in the intimate Tiny Desk format. This live capture conveys the band’s melodic richness and emotion. This filmed full concert from 2026 is an ideal introduction to contemporary American indie rock, in the spare, exacting setting that has become a global reference.

Setlist

  1. Penny in the Lake
  2. What's Right?
  3. Black Earth, WI

Personnel & credits

  • Julia Steiner — vocals, guitar
  • Dave Sagan — guitar
  • Sean Neumann — bass, backing vocals
  • Andy PK — guitar, pedal steel
  • Marcus Nuccio — drums
Category

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