Singer-Songwriter and guitarist Christopher Paul Stelling made a spirited appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series playing four songs from his new album Labor Against Waste. With his extraordinary finger-picking and heartfelt voice, a lone Stelling disappeared into the music and lyrics, delivering a sense of honesty and conviction.
Host Bob Boilen enthused about the performance, “After spending time with Christopher Paul Stelling’s third album, Labor Against Waste, I expected a certain intensity to his performance. But I didn’t expect him to nearly implode behind my desk, as the fierceness of his heartfelt songs was set against deft fingerpicking on his beat-to-hell ’64 Gibson gut-string classical guitar.”
Boilen then added, “By the time he played “Horse,” his third song at the Tiny Desk, Stelling seemed overtaken by the song he wrote. Watch him lean in as if he’s about to lunge, his eyes bugged out, sometimes rolled back in his head revealing just the whites, skin blood-red, voice like a preacher on fire. His music feels undeniable: Best witnessed live, it’s steeped in tradition yet filled with vitality, immediacy and soul — all the reasons worth discovering someone new.”
In the classic folk and blues tradition, Stelling is known for his constant traveling and playing. In the next months will move across North America, performing almost daily. These dates will fittingly include a performance at the storied Newport Folk Festival. “The energy that this man is able to unleash through his songs and performances is unprecedented. The power and talent he beholds is a rare and beautiful thing.” – No Depression
Catch him live here:
2015-07-26    Fort Adams State Park Newport RI
2015-07-27    Book & Bar    Portsmouth    NH
2015-07-30    One Longfellow Square Portland ME
2015-07-31    Skinny Pancake Burlington VT
2015-08-01    Tweed River Music Festival Stockbridge VT
2015-08-02    Club Helsinki    Hudson    NY
2015-08-05    The Living Room Brooklyn NY
2015-08-06    Bsp Kingston    Kingston NY
2015-08-07    South Wedge Mission    Rochester NY
2015-08-10    Rumba    Columbus OH
2015-08-12    Majestic Theater Detroit MI
2015-08-13    Macs Bar    Lansing MI
2015-08-14    Tall Tales Music Festival Burlington WI
2015-08-15    Tonic Room Chicago IL
2015-08-16    The House Cafe DeK alb IL
2015-08-17    Moehler Mondays @ Rozz Tox    Rock Island IL
2015-08-18    Vaudeville Mews Des Moines IA
2015-08-20    Bryant Lake Bowl Minneapolis MN
2015-08-22    Club Garibaldi’s Milwaukee    WI
2015-08-26    Zanzabar Louisville KY
2015-08-27    Granfalloon Chattanooga TN
2015-08-28    Desert Island Supply Co. Birmingham AL
2015-09-03    Mothlight Asheville NC
2015-09-04    Willow Tree    Johnson City    TN
2015-09-06    Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta GA
2015-09-09    Will’s Pub Orlando FL
2015-09-11    Parlor Grape & Grain    Jacksonville    FL
2015-09-12    Revival Fest    Savannah GA
2015-09-14    World Famous    Athens    GA
2015-09-16    Americana Music Fest    Nashville TN
2015-09-18    Campfest Clayton GA
2015-09-19    Bristol Rhythm and Roots Fest Bristol TN
2015-09-20    Bristol Rhythm and Roots Fest Bristol TN
2015-09-21    Baine’s Books & Coffee Appamattox    VA
2015-09-22    The Camel Richmond    VA
2015-09-25    Vinyl Lounge @ Gypsy Sally’s    Washington    DC
2015-09-26    Main Street Music Festival Baltimore     MD
2015-09-27    World Cafe Live Philadelphia    PA
2015-10-08    Columbus Theatre Providence RI