Joyce Wrice: Tiny Desk Concert

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

#TinyDesk #NPRMusic #JoyceWrice

[LarryJoule]

keanu Reeves is so humble for puttin himself in the back playing the keys for a raising artist ❤️

[JoyceWrice]

Thank you so much Tinydesk for having me and my band 🥹❤

[cameronkeegan]

Joyce needs no backups, no autotune, no nothing. A vocalist and lyricist, pure class. 2024 is her year, ready for that sophomore album drop.

[iamkeshiaaa]

I’m soooo happy she opened with Chandler❤

[whatsherface]

Give my man on the keys his flowers, he was singing and killing it.

[u.need.Imagination]

Mucho Gusto. ありがとう. Keep it flowin... I like it a lot ❤🎉❤

[anony]

One of my favorite pens of this era. Alongside Victoria Monet, Mahalia, and H.E.R.

[CMCunnane]

The two backing vocalists are CRAZY 🔥🔥🔥 SHEESH!

[marcello]

I love how Joyce is wearing all white and everyone is contrasting her with black. Everyone is wearing sunglasses hiding the eyes while Joyce’s eyes are on full display. Definitely an artistic perspective IMO

[phaZonJJ]

This is so great, she even has John Wick on the keys!

[cindyliwenge]

So how many times has D'Mile been on Tiny Desk ? He's been a powerhouse producer for a few years, refreshing the r'n'b sound and blending it with subtle references. And to think that he nearly gave up on the music industry. This man deserves his own Tiny Desk 🙌🏾

[yodinetheodore]

Can we just applaud the background singers for the blinded voices 😭

[pastense]

Recently did a wedding gig with my band and she happened to be homies with someone in the wedding party. It was like meeting Aaliyah incarnated! Just the sweetest soul ever. I greeted her in Japanese and she pursued to give me a full blown lesson on Japanese! Her wholesome, authentic personality is much needed in the industry right now. Everyone please keep your eye on her!

[taliaa]

I really be hearing Brandy in all of the singing girlies these days. She really is the vocal bible. This tiny desk has def been added to my favs.

[stephengiese]

Her voice and body language say thank you, thank you, she is trying to soak all of this love and happening. Angelic voice. Love it😊

[YunoHadashiego]

I love Joyce Wrice!! and Mack Keane on the keys? Phenomenal duo. The 90's vibes are officially back baby!!!

[clwashington]

She gives me Amerie vibes! This was nice and the band was rocking! NPR Salute!

[freezerlok]

Her quality of singing is so untouchable. The sound is so pure and her accuracy and control is crazy!

[JayJay-kyqg]

Tiny Desk Engineers are "always" on point. I have no idea who you guys are both you are prove that not all hero's wear cloaks. Maximum respect to the Engineers.

[KenzoVelasquez]

I've been waiting so long for this.
She has the sound we've missed and love, and y'all need to see her perform live because her choreography is fire. Shout out to Mack Keane on the keys, when his Tiny Desk comes out, the world is literally going to shatter.