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

2nd Round Game 6: Winnipeg Jets vs. Dallas Stars | Full Game Highlights | ESPN NHL

DREAMLAND! ATHLETIC CLUB 0-3 MAN UNITED GOLDBRIDGE MATCH REACTION

Athletic Club vs. Man. United: Extended Highlights | UEL Semi-final Leg 1 | CBS Sports Golazo

PSG vs. Arsenal: Extended Highlights | UCL Semi-final Leg 2 | CBS Sports Golazo

George Pickens makes Cowboys "one of, if not the most balanced offense in football" | THE FACILITY

CHAMPIONS! Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Leeds United | Manor Solomon scores dramatic late winner!

LFR18 - Round 2, Game 7 - Meet The Leafs - Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1

2025 Official Schedule Release Video: Baltimore Ravens Schedule Is Mysterious And Important

Reinier de Ridder knocks out Bo Nickal in UFC Des Moines co-main event | ESPN MMA

Canelo Álvarez vs William Scull | Fight Highlights

Highlights | Round 3 | 2025 PGA Championship

Stephen Curry | Warriors 2025 End of Season Interview

MASSIVE Transfer Boost Incoming! Man Utd Transfer News

STEPHEN A.'S NEW YORK KNICKS PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED! 🙏 'WE HAVE BEEN STARVING!' | First Take

#3 KNICKS at #2 CELTICS | FULL GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS | May 5, 2025

State of Origin 2025 Match Highlights | QLD Maroons v NSW Blues | Game 1

DARREN TILL VS. DARREN STEWART | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2025 | Thailand vs. Indonesia | Quarterfinals

How Well Do Caitlin Clark and the Fever Know Each Other? | Sports Illustrated

NHL Game 2 Highlights | Oilers vs. Golden Knights - May 8, 2025

NRL Match Highlights 2025 | Raiders v Bulldogs | Round 10

This Is Schedule Release | Raiders

Steve Dangle reacts to Maple Leafs EMBARRASSING Game 7 Loss vs Panthers

HIGHLIGHTS | FC BARCELONA 3 vs 2 REAL MADRID | EL CLÁSICO | COPA DEL REY FINAL 24/25 | CHAMPIONS!🔵🔴🏆

🔴 LIVE - Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro presented by GWM 2025 - Finals Day

F1 Sprint Highlights | 2025 Miami Grand Prix

BILBAO HERE WE GO! MAN UNITED 3-1 ATHLETIC CLUB GOLDBRIDGE MATCH REACTION

RCD ESPANYOL 0 - 2 FC BARCELONA I RESUMEN LALIGA EA SPORTS

INSTANT CLASSIC! Naoya Inoue Survives Early Knockdown vs Ramon Cardenas to Earn the KO!

FULL MATCH: Jey Uso vs. Seth Rollins | World Heavyweight Title Match: Raw, May 5, 2025

All 30 video