Stephen Thompson | December 4, 2023 Philip Selway knows how to surround himself with talent. Best known as Radiohead's longtime drummer, Selway also presides over richly rewarding collaborations on his gorgeous, ruminative solo records.
For his Tiny Desk concert, Selway brought in a fresh group of high-octane partners in the form of former Antibalas drummer Chris Vatalaro — "There is absolutely no way I am playing drums in front of Chris, ever," Selway said as he introduced the band — as well as four members of the brilliant American Contemporary Music Ensemble. (A similar ACME lineup graced the Tiny Desk with Max Richter in early 2020, in case you feel like revisiting it and having a li'l cry.)
For his part, Selway performed three songs from this year's Strange Dance — his first solo project in nearly nine years — with a mix of deep warmth and wry, self-effacing modesty. It's an approach that suits his kind, lived-in songs, which echo everyone from Nick Drake to, in their gentlest moments, bands like Pink Floyd and The Kinks.
SET LIST "The Heart Of It All" "Picking Up Pieces" "There'll Be Better Days"
MUSICIANS Philip Selway: vocals, piano, guitar Chris Vatalaro: drums, bass, vocals
American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) Clarice Jensen: artistic director, cello, vocals Ben Russell: violin, vocals Laura Lutzke: violin, vocals Kal Sugatski: viola, vocals
TINY DESK TEAM Producer: Bob Boilen Director/Editor: Maia Stern Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin Series Producer: Bobby Carter Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Catie Dull Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer Photographer: Michael Zamora Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills, Kara Frame VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
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