Ashley Pointer | October 18, 2022 Warning: It’s hard to keep still when listening to the infectious music of effervescent R&B powerhouse Joyce Wrice. Side effects may include an intense head bop, the occasional stank face and a mean two-step. Wrice’s Tiny Desk concert is a stunning display of her talents, showing us where the San Diego bred, Los Angeles based singer has been and where she’s going next. Clad in all white and backed by a band wearing matching black Nike tracksuits and sneakers, they exude a vibe reminiscent of a family.
The concert commences with a sampling of her refreshing (and NPR favorite) 2021 debut album Overgrown, that established her as a major voice in contemporary R&B. Accompanied by a six-piece band of tasteful musicians, Wrice opens with a soulful live arrangement of “Chandler,” before smoothly transitioning into “Falling In Love.” That funky bassline you hear? Courtesy of the one and only Dernst “D'Mile” Emile II, who executive produced Overgrown and last graced the Tiny Desk for Lucky Daye’s concert in 2019.
We get a taste of Wrice’s new pop influenced EP Motive, which takes an energetic turn away from her more soulful debut. As she closes out the set with “Bittersweet Goodbyes,” and the Kaytranada produced “Iced Tea,” both written in collaboration with Mack Keane (who’s seen here holding it down on keys), we witness an assured artist motivated to make you move.
SET LIST “Chandler” “Falling in Love” “Must Be Nice” “On One” “Bittersweet Goodbyes” “Iced Tea”
MUSICIANS Joyce Wrice: vocals Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II: bass Branden Akinyele: drums Mack Keane: keys, vocals Christian Carey: guitar D'anna Stewart: vocals Astyn Turrentine: vocals
TINY DESK TEAM Producer: Bobby Carter Director: Kara Frame Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin Creative Director: Bob Boilen Editor: Joshua Bryant Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Michael Zamora Audio Assistant: Hannah Copeland Production Assistants: Jill Britton, Alanté Serene Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer, Maia Stern VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
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