Thee Sinseers: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Felix Contreras | May 2, 2022
To appreciate the magic of a performance from Thee Sinseers, you have to understand the co-mingling of Chicano and African American communities in post-World War II, Southern California. Living in the same neighborhoods, these communities created a virtual symphony of R&B, mariachi and boleros. And what you hear in this California band's Tiny Desk (home) concert, as they perform among plants in a flower shop, builds on a legacy of music that became known as "oldies but goodies" in the Chicano community.

Right from the start, band leader and vocalist Joey Quiñones and his crew dig deep with their original songs that pay homage to the oldies in a way that evokes my own memories of lowrider car shows and lazy Sunday afternoons at Roeding Park in Fresno, Calif. "What's His Name" features a delicate falsetto that was popular in 1950s R&B. The short horn parts and the doo-wop background vocals fall into a call and response backdrop for lyrics about a broken heart.

There is a very real connection in this set between the passionate vocals of the best R&B ballads and mariachi ranchera, both borrowing from the emotional devastation of Italian opera. That's all on display in "Hold On," which makes us question how we have the power to keep on living. Particular attention has to be paid to vocalist Adriana Flores' delicate pleading on "Lovin You," which crescendos into a blown out ballad powered by a tight, shouted chorus from the entire band.

SET LIST
"What's His Name"
"Hold On"
"Lovin' You"
"There Must Be Something"

MUSICIANS
Joey Quiñones: vocals, keys
Adriana Flores: vocals
Christopher Manjarrez: bass
Francisco Flores: guitar
Bryan Ponce: guitar, vocals
Luis Carpio: drums, vocals
Eric Johnson: saxophone
Joseluis Jimenez: trombone
Steve Surman: saxophone

CREDITS
Director/Editor: Bryan Ponce
Camera: Anthony Ramirez, Rosario Briseño
Recording Engineer: Brian Gazo
Mixed by: Joey Quiñones
Location: Floreria Primavera

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Ana Sayre
Video Producer: Kara Frame
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Bobby Carter, Joshua Bryant, Michael Zamora, Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer
VP, NPR Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#NPRMusic #TinyDesk #TheeSinseers

[JoeseGloria]

My boy Joseph Quinoñes on the keys is a local legend in SoCal from his days with the Steady 45s. So happy for his success. He's such a talented musician and singer. Big ups!

[brianthomas]

Gosta make room for this band on my oldies playlist, yes they got that vibe that keeps me old school.

[J_Granted]

As soon as bro opened his mouth on the keys, I was hooked 🤌🏾

[drew_man_joo]

It's not very often that I click on a completely random never heard of band to me and become absolutely entranced

[bluebillbenjii]

My soul cries from happiness to be able to hear this type of music in 2022 my son knows these songs by heart and its safe to say this music shall live on forever. Thank you the sinceeers

[michelleesco]

They are my favorite! But Joey is my favorite singer and very nice guy in person! 💕🎶

[giselle]

Don’t sleep on these They’re so freaking amazing!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽

[shakemaholman]

When I say I was not expecting fire 🔥🔥. I have a new artist in my play books!!!! But when she belts out her notes effortlessly 😮. But wait there is more!!! I love this group!!!!

[davidgrisanti]

Hey, I am 73 and grew up in East LA. It is great that this video was recorded in a flower shop on Whittier Blvd. My sister and I would often walk up to Whittier Blvd with my mom and grandmother when we were kids. When I was 10, I started walking up to the Golden Gate theater on Whittier Blvd by myself to watch whatever was playing in order sit in air-conditioned luxury on hot summer days. Anyway, this band takes me back! They are an exceptionally talented group, with the trademark East LA sound, with the horns, soulful sound, and incredible vocals. I am so impressed. (I am reminded of Thee Midnighters who are still on my playlist!) I hope they go far. But, please, don't ever forget from whence you came. I wish you great success.

[jesustoscano]

Thee Sinseers deserve this moment. They're an amazingly talented band. Twice I've seen them and they pour their heart out each performance. If y'all like Thee Sinseers, check out The Altons. They share some of the band members and are just as amazing!

[dellcarr]

Sending love from San Antonio, Tx . So groovy. Radiant energy.

[manuelalejandrovili]

One of my favorite Tiny Desk's I come back once in a while or expect to pop out on shuffle to listen to this work of art. MX

[MyAlbertC]

Very nice and smooth, backup singers sound fantastic. And the band sounds great as old school. Thank you. Mr. lead singer sounds little like James Brown😮😊.

[jasonarevalo]

The sinseers and the Altons thanks npr family

[EVERYTHINGBEYONDHEAVEN]

JoJo and I go back to Griffith Middle School and Garfield High School, being in Band together and dreaming big one day becoming legends in music 🎶 Here you are brotha, I'm very proud of You and keep doing what you love 💯 Matthew Salomon Saldana

[PentameronSV]

0:00 - *What's His Name* (3:19)
3:30 - *Hold On*
7:52 - *Lovin' You*
11:38 - *There Must Be Something*
[15:41 - Tiny Desk team]

[michaelkutulas]

I'm just blown away with how good this whole band is... great everything!

[errolholmes]

I can’t lie . I tuned in to her and see the sister and stayed to hear the brother . Tiny desk . Y’all done it again . Great sound

[jesuscuevas]

I have been listening to this all week!! Sinseers, The Alton's.... this is music!!!! thank you. SO happy to hear these young folks singing this music!!! Absolutely beautiful!!!!

[reneesmith]

Wasn't sure what to expect but this was phenomenal