Thundercat: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Oct. 18, 2017 | Bobby Carter -- Thundercat, born Stephen Bruner, is willing and able to shape-shift to fit into just about any box you show him — he just won't stay in there for long. Whether fusing his talent for jazz while a bassist with punk legacy act Suicidal Tendencies or as a member of Snoop Dogg's band — maybe running a little too far with a solo here and there — the focus seems to eventually drift his way.

After releasing two brilliant solo albums, he was plucked to work on what eventually became one of the most important works of art released this decade: Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly. Capitalizing off of the new exposure, he quickly released the EP The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam. That was followed about two years later by Drunk, his most solid project to date.

I didn't know what to expect in the days leading to the performance, but I was hoping to get what I thought a Thundercat experience would be like. All boxes ended up checked: He arrived wearing a neon pink hoodie with his signature logo plastered about, kickboxing shorts, white chancletas, playing a Nintendo portable gaming console. He and his bandmates Dennis Hamm, Justin Brown and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, all master musicians in their own right, polished off some bacon croissant sandwiches and proceeded to give us three of the best of what Drunk has to offer.

Set List

"Lava Lamp"
"Friend Zone"
"Them Changes"

MUSICIANS

Steven Bruner (vocals, bass); Dennis Hamm (keys); Justin Brown (drums); Miguel Atwood Ferguson (violin)

CREDITS

Producers: Bobby Carter, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Alyse young; Production Assistant: CJ Riculan; Photo: Jennifer Kerrigan/NPR.

[nprmusic]

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[BennyC]

This band looks like they randomly got assigned together for a group project at school

[TimothyGondola]

Can we give a Grammy to the Tiny Desk audio engineer? The quality is insane.

[BreakingOKC]

Dude was talkin bout diablo and shredding on a 6 string bass instant fan

[natedavid]

Props to that violinist. Dude just adds so much vibe and mood in the background. Such a cool way to use the instrument

[jed_the_artist]

their drummer looks like he's never seen a drum-kit before in his entire life and he's making it up as he goes and is just accidentally doing a fantastic job

[jakegetscake]

People cry about mtv unplugged being gone but this is it in a new form enjoy

[JeddAhyoung]

So I'm a bassist; been playing for about ten years, and I play a six-string Ibanez myself. I love it, but sometimes I feel as though I haven't progressed to where I want to be. This video made me see why I haven't, and realize the error of my ways.

1.) Always use an envelope filter and an octaver.
2.) If you aren't wearing a pink hoodie with shorts, you'll never get to where you want to be.

Enlightenment is bliss.

[austins.]

I almost gave up on life lately. Discovering Thundercat and his music has provided me some sort of energy that I needed to continue on, and I am eternally grateful for that.

[cronotrigger]

He has the lyrics of a 5th grade love letter. Bass skills of a transformer.

[haydenhollenbaugh]

Thundercat: "what should we wear??"

NPR: "Anything. Be comfortable."

Thundercat: "You got it."

[gnaagren]

Man... Jazz is never really dead. All the coolest cats have their Jazz roots.

[Kid_Ying]

"If you're not bringing tacos I suggest you turn and walk away."
Truth to double meaning.

[mmitch]

0:00 Lava Lamp
3:20 Friend Zone
6:31Them Changes

[MM-vset]

Violinist - Band geek who just woke up
Drummer - Goto weed dealer after 2 blunts
Bassist/Vocals - Closet virtuoso coming out
Keyboardist - Music nerd that makes 24/7 chillhop for studying

[danieljohnston]

The way the pianist nodded at Thundercat before he did his solo for the last song literally makes my heart want to explode... 8:45

[xarealpersonx]

His bass playing is absolutely next level. I have been playing for over a decade and I'm not even close to his ability AND HE DOES IT WHILE SINGING.

[bin]

Fun fact: Thundercat's falsetto is a result of the pain caused by holding bass chords too long.

[erinarzich]

them changes is one of the best songs to ever exist

[unkosheredpodcast]

Tiny desk is like our generation’s MTV Unplugged