Moonchild: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Moonchild play "Money", "The Other Side" and "The List" at the Tiny Desk.

More from NPR Music:

Dec. 16, 2019 | Bobby Carter -- Many bands make considerable adjustments to their playing style in order for their sound to properly fill the Tiny Desk space. LA-based trio Moonchild, along with three background singers and a drummer, arrived promptly for their load-in time, unpacked their gear and were ready to go within minutes. Aside from being especially efficient, their natural musical instincts made for a custom fit in our corner.

Amber Navran, Max Bryk and Andris Mattson joined forces in 2012 at the University of Southern California and their debut album, Be Free soon followed. This year, they released their fourth album, Little Ghost, intricately meshing jazz, R&B and hip-hop sounds under Amber's subtle vocal feats.

For their set, they pulled out all the stops: flutes, flugelhorns, saxophones, keyboards, ukuleles and some the best harmonies I've heard in recent memory. From the moment Amber walked into the building and throughout the performance, she wore a smile on her face and expressed sincere gratitude for the Tiny Desk platform. She took advantage of the moment and amplified a cause near and dear to her heart. She asked us to "spend our privilege" and do more in the fight for people of color in the United States. They closed with a jam from 2017's Voyager.

SET LIST
"Money"
"The Other Side"
"The List"

MUSICIANS
Amber Navran: vocals, saxophone, flute; Andris Mattson: keys, guitar, flugelhorn; Max Bryk: keys, saxophone, flute; Erin Bentlage: vocals, ukulele; Efa Etoroma Jr.: drums; Michael Mayo: vocals; Micah Robinson: vocals

CREDITS
Producers: Bobby Carter, Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineers: Josh Rogosin, Alex Drewenskus; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Jack Corbett; Production Assistant: Zoe Jones; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Catie Dull/NPR

[lupsie]

Dude in the yellow played a horn and keyboard at the same time. We owe him more money.

[Minisodalala]

THEY'RE ALIENS!!! Anit no way 7 random super multi-talented humans "found" each other and perform like THAT. I'm awestruck. Their vibe is too immaculate. I'm a permanent fan now. Also yellow shirt is a whole vibe. 😊

[DaousTommy]

She looks like she’s always on the brink of cracking up laughing, it’s so sweet!

[RmaNYouTube]

Which Instrument can you play?
yellow shirt guy: YES

[emmanueltuisaua]

AIN'T NOBODY TALKING ABOUT YELLOW SHIRT MAN AND HIS BADASS SYNTH BASS LINES. THEM LINES ARE HOTTTT HOTTTT

[miles]

This man is playing a horn with one hand, and on keys with the other... I love this group.

[bailahie]

I love the "minimalist" feel of Moonchild's music, no tone too much... No embellishments, just the raw thing.

[motheomolefi]

It was only a matter of time for Moonchild to be here... this is the perfect scene for them

[SpaceLion]

I love how she sings while looking at people, like she's narrating a story.

[ctatrains]

This woman's voice is something special. Her song style is just captivating.

[nedadillard]

Back again, 2024 😂😂 I just can't get enough of this performance!!!

[DavidBenson]

They seem like THE friendliest band ever man lol.

[davestarns]

Once again, hats off to the NPR engineers. The recording quality on every installment of this series is stunning.

[thandocollenmahlatsi]

2023 and Im still here losing my mind over this performance. I genuinely loved and still love this. Thank you @thisismoonchild you guys are blessed

[jasonflaherty]

She has first grade teacher teaching high school for the first time energy and it's the coolest thing I've ever seen.

[masseyrati]

ADVISORY: This video contains exceptional musicianship, heart-felt bouncing around by the keyboard, a deeply touching humanitarian message, mezmerizing dimples and other factors that may cause heart fluctuations.

[alexmathewmendoza]

Moonchild is so underrated. Everyone involved is just overflowing with talent and the music is simply immaculate and beautiful!

[emilynnemascardo]

Always love her messaging of solidarity in their shows. All of the musicians in this band are amazingly talented.

[gregvang]

Who else keeps coming back to this excellence?

[aiyeshathomas]

Please give that person a raise that booked theses artists