Bob Boilen | December 7, 2023
I came out of retirement for this one!

The LeeVees have been my Hanukkah tradition since 2005, with the release of the group’s album Hanukkah Rocks. It’s an album I play every year because, honestly, it’s hard to find fun-filled songs about latkes and gelt. The LeeVees are led by Adam LeeVee (Adam Gardner), who you may know from his long-time rock band Guster, and David LeeVee (Dave Schneider), who writes songs about ice hockey in his band, the Zambonis.

The LeeVees’ first advice for this Tiny Hanukkah party is to loosen up, as the band asks the age-old question I’ve been wondering my entire life: “How Do You Spell Channukkahh?” We also hear about one of the great debates I grew up with in Brooklyn Jewish culture, in the song “Applesauce vs. Sour Cream.” There’s much talk about those delicious, oily potato pancakes we feast on this time of year: latkes. As bass player Shawn Fogel says, “This may be the most food ever eaten at a Tiny Desk concert.” I made bagels for the crew, our video producer Maia Stern made yummy kugel and the latkes came from a local deli. There certainly is a more serious side to the festival of lights known as Hanukkah, but celebrating the lighter side felt much needed. Happy “Channukkahh” everyone.

SET LIST
“How Do You Spell Channukkahh?”
“Latke Clan”
“Applesauce vs. Sour Cream”
“Kugel”

MUSICIANS
Dave Schneider: lead vocals, lead guitar
Adam Gardner: lead vocals, lead guitar
Daniel Saks: keys, vocals
Shawn Fogel: bass, vocals
Gabrielle Lakshmi: vocals, percussion, toy piano
Tim Walsh: drums, vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Suraya Mohamed, Bob Boilen
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Keren Carrión, Kara Frame
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Team: Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #theleevees