It is really easy to fall in love with the music of Mac Ayres. His hands-on strategy to R&B is such a refreshing departure from the mainstream. Behind the Desk, Ayres brings a shocking band — together with longtime collaborator, bassist and music director Declan Miers — and a number of tunes from throughout his catalog.
This set is profoundly satisfying, tastefully organized and at all times within the pocket. Opening with “Sunny & 62,” Ayres builds lush harmonies with vocalists Brandon Lee Harris and Jess Schnieder earlier than keyboardist Daniel Abraham Jr. cues the unmistakable motif of “Calvin’s Joint.” Ayres debuts “Please Come House,” an unreleased tune co-written with Tiny Desk alum Carrtoons, leaning into ’70s soul as guitarist Josh Porter creates a cinematic backdrop. “The place U Goin’ Tonight” brings a refined disco vibe and lets Ayres flex his gorgeous vocal vary; the grooves, anchored by drummer Brian Richburg, are fully simple.
“This tune modified my life,” he tells the gang earlier than the set ends. Almost a decade in the past, “Straightforward” turned so many people onto his music; it is also how Ayres ended his Tiny Desk (residence) live performance. And now the gang joins in a sing-along, bringing all the pieces full circle.
SET LIST
- “Sunny & 62”
- “Calvin’s Joint”
- “Pickled Ginger”
- “Comfy Sufficient”
- “Please Come House”
- “The place U Goin’ Tonight?”
- “Straightforward”
MUSICIANS
- Mac Ayres: vocals, guitar
- Josh Porter: guitar
- Daniel Abraham Jr.: keys
- Declan Miers: bass, music director
- Brian Richburg: drums
- Jess Schneider: background vocals
- Brandon Lee Harris: tambourine, background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producer: Ashley Pointer
- Director: Joshua Bryant
- Audio Director/Combine: Josh Newell
- Host/Sequence Producer: Bobby Carter
- Video Editor: Nikki Birch
- Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Kara Body
- Audio Engineer: Hannah Gluvna
- Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
- Sequence Editor: Lars Gotrich
- Govt Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Govt Director: Sonali Mehta
- Sequence Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton
