Felix Contreras | May 16, 2025
Carín León is an old soul. There is no other way to account for the power of the emotion in his voice. His 16-piece band tests the limited space behind the Tiny Desk, but when the brass takes over to punctuate a performance, Leon's commanding presence shows why he's one of the best at what he does.

Regional Mexican music is based upon song forms from another era, but León's lyrics add a new spin on heartbreak and love lost. This set opens with "Ese Vato No Te Queda," followed by two songs from the 2024 album Palabra De To's. Previously, León premiered "Primera Cita" for his Tiny Desk (home) concert, which became a major hit. That song "left a mark on our lives and completely shaped our careers," he shares. For good luck, León here premieres "Por la Suave," which was also written by Alejandro Lozano. "A poem that I love," León says.

SET LIST
"Ese Vato No Te Queda"
"Lado Frágil"
"El Amor de Mi Herida"
"Por la Suave"

MUSICIANS
Carín León: vocals
Arturo Garcia: guitar 
Luis Diaz de Leon Huez: guitar
Miguel Abraham Nayares Moreno: 12-string guitar
Alan Ortega: dobro 
Javier Humberto Sesma Rivera: tololoche
Daniel Fuentevilla: keys
Servando Quijada: alto horn
Marcos Barbosa: alto horn
Sebastián Quintero: saxophone, harmonica, clarinet 
Jhonatan Velázquez Villegas: clarinet
José Angel Avila Llunez: trumpet
Ismael Mendoza: trumpet
Carlos Leon: trombone
Abel Anguiano: trombone
Antonio Zepeda: tuba
Luis Carlos Pérez: drums

TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Josh Newell
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Alanté Serene
Audio Engineer: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistants: Dora Levite, Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Grace Raver
Tiny Desk Series Editor: Lars Gotrich
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#nprmusic #tinydesk #carinleon 

Support for NPR Music comes from Capital One. Presenting sponsor of the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest. What's in your wallet? Learn more at CapitalOne.com.

Random Videos

KATSEYE (캣츠아이) "Gnarly" Official MV

i-dle (아이들) 'Girlfriend' Official Music Video

Edgardo Nuñez x Mi Pasado y Mi Presente [Video Musical] En Vivo

LAAL PARI (Song): Yo Yo Honey Singh | Sajid Nadiadwala | Tarun Mansukhani | Housefull 5 - 6th June

Pierce The Veil - Kiss Me Now (Official Audio)

Lil Poppa - Start Trippin (Shawty Fine) (Official Video)

Sleep Token - Look To Windward

Louis BPM, Farruko, J Balvin, Kris R., iZaak, - Tranquilo (Remix Oficial)

Hunxho - Bedrest [Official Video]

LISA - WHEN I'M WITH YOU feat. Tyla (Official Music Video)

Emergence

COURTSIDE (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) KARAN AUJLA | LATEST PUNJABI SONGS 2025

803Fresh - Boots On The Ground (Official Music Video) "Where Them Fans At?"

Let You Fade - Linkin Park

Ariana Grande - supernatural (Official Music Video)

i-dle (아이들) 'Good Thing' Official Music Video

Selena Gomez, benny blanco - Sunset Blvd | Vevo Extended Play

Fuerza Regida - ANSIEDAD (VIDEO OFICIAL)

G Herbo - Lunch Break Freestyle Part 2 (Lyrical Lemonade Exclusive)

mgk - Bye Bye Bye Freestyle (ft. No Love)

DDG, BIA - fine shyt (Official Music Video)

Mammoth: The End (Official Video)

Morgan Wallen - Superman (The Shop Sessions)

Morgan Wallen - I'm A Little Crazy (The Shop Sessions)

Lola Young - One Thing (Official Video)

Lil Poppa - Blame Chevy (Poppa Diss)

Kondattam Video | Thudarum | Mohanlal, Shobana, Jakes Bejoy, Tharun Moorthy, MRenjith | MG SREEKUMAR

Falling In Reverse - "God Is A Weapon"

Joey Bada$$, Big Sean, Ab-Soul | Red Bull Spiral Freestyle

Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs - Backup Plan (Lyric Video)

All 30 video