EL VY: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

It's fun to see something truly new from someone whose work you love. Matt Berninger came to the Tiny Desk as lead singer of The National a few years ago, but this time he's collaborating with Brent Knopf from the bands Menomena and Ramona Falls. EL VY is their new project, and the two are perfect foils for each other - especially in this intimate setting, which highlights Knopf's playful piano and Berninger's resonant voice. The words at times seem autobiographical; more specifically, they're about a time in Cincinnati when Berninger fell in love with music. He says some of the songs' reflective tone was inspired by seeing his own daughter start to find the same passion.
In concert and on their debut album Return To The Moon, EL VY is a richly textured band. Here, you get something special: At the Tiny Desk, it's almost like watching two artists discover their own songs, which in some ways is how this material came to be in the first place.
Return To The Moon is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/ret...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Return-To-The-M...
Set List:
"No Time To Crank The Sun"
"Careless"
"Need A Friend"
Credits:
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Walker, Niki Walker; Editor: Niki Walker; Photo: NPR
For more Tiny Desk Concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti...

[@MattinZeberio]

This is why I love the Tiny Desk Concerts.

[@pennypocket5463]

So interesting... Felt like poetry in conv with clever emotional piano rain.

[@theescamilla000]

Matt is too good at this small, intimate live performances

[@cilanthropetunia]

I think they tap into the collective consciousness and that's why everything the national guy writes and does resonates with us so deeply

[@slickabe]

Great song. The passion of Brent Knopf on that piano is incredible.

[@waynemitchell5641]

The Piano is out of control. I love it!!! Such a great performance by both.

[@roncv26]

Well that explains it, I swore this guy sounded just like the lead singer of The National. And it turns out he is.

[@johnparrish7683]

I had the same experience the first time I heard "No Time To Crank the Sun" on Pandora.

[@MotherSmuckers]

Matt collaborates and grinds whatever he’s working on into a sharpened head of flint. The point cuts immediately, and is carefully followed by other craftsman who have covered the broader parts of the arrowhead.

[@marcelletalksmma]

Lol that's so funny that happened to me too. I was like " this guy sounds just like the singer from the national" 😅

[@TobiasHoendervangers]

These little gigs really fit Matt's vocals and performance. Loved The National's session, and this is equally wonderful.

[@kristaselene]

Adore his voice.

[@DBestization]

+Krista Roman he's the singer from the national which is an amazing band!

[@kristaselene]

+Etienne Urbain-Racine One of my favorite bands :)

[@txonillaable]

This man is awesome, i saw him last year with The National, and it was the best concert ive ever seen, i hope to see him and his band at least one more time, because their music means so much to me. THANKS, THANK YOU SO MUCH MATT

[@PaulWolfe1]

+txonillaable I flew to Aspen recently to see them at a 450-person venue. Amazing. I was in the front row and he came out into the crowd. Gaaaaah! Driving up to Massachusetts to see them in June at a larger outdoor venue.

[@TchockyPuritan]

I'm an immense The National fan, but Matt Berninger's voice was made for this exact setting: intimate, piano melody, vocal driven tunes. I feel that Baritone in my bone marrow. Can't wait for another album by El Vy, and hopefully another amazing Tiny Desk Concert like this one.

[@KettyShelly]

Piano is just amazing! I'm in love with these live versions of familiar songs.

[@HumGumHum]

I just want someone to look at me the way Brent Knopf looks at Matt Berninger.

Song list: 00:00 No Time To Crank The Sun 05:35 Careless 08:54 Need A Friend Happy New Year folks!

[@tvoap3099]

I love you, Matthew Berninger.

[@janitammi2979]

Holy shit this is one of the best things I've heard in a while.

[@shannon26424able]

Still my favorite tube session best moments I had back then for decisions don't regret them because this song moved me!

[@CaM-yg1gx]

Brent is such a talented pianist

[@alexmontoya9603]

two most nervous guys on the planet and I love them.

[@LoftyAssertions]

That piano player is so expressive, you can really see and hear him making the scene

[@jeffmcdowell6200]

I listen to this performance all the time.. years later

[@nancyscarbrough3450]

The piano player is awesome!

[@chsnumber3]

Nancy Scarbrough check out Menomena’s first few albums, as well as his band Ramona Falls. Brent is awesome!

[@Acefilms90]

i love this guys i listen to their album all day at work & home

[@hugorodas9174]

Gold! Amazing performance. These guys deserve millions of views.

[@MetalWonderWombat]

I preordered their album the moment it was announced. Best decision ever! The National is great and one of my favorite bands but EL VY has a different vibe. I cant name what makes them so unique but I love it!

[@sebbo95]

outstanding piano playing

[@VictorBerquez]

I agree, reminds me of Yann Tiersen

[@alexandereakins8917]

yep. Main feeling about this. But overall, at least for me, the first two songs are perfect

[@TonicLime1]

This is perfect for rainy grey Portland days...

[@isaacquiroga4771]

Ir Chiapas México!!! Rainy all year!

[@isitgettinheavy]

Been listening to "Where is Her Head?/"Hey Rosey" so much. Have to get back to El Vy for a awhile.

[@jamesbeaet5135]

God I love this album and performance.

[@annaroscoe9708]

Beautiful song. ❤️🎼 Love that piano playing!

[@TchockyPuritan]

Matt Berninger is such an amazing performer.

[@RolandStrykala]

and another great success of music, in the tiny desk concerts

[@jefferyetten]

I've been waiting for this one!

[@talalahmed608]

Mr November 💜

[@dvdlrssn]

YES. Just... YES.

[@CareFreeCommuting]

I'm buying whatever they're selling.

[@nancyscarbrough3450]

+Camilla Baben that's frikin funny!

[@kodu3844]

+Camilla Baben hahahahah

[@isaacquiroga4771]

In deed my friend!

[@heyimvee]

Gorgeous piano

[@michaeljsay]

Great work boys.

[@Jango1989]

Amazing!

[@fhmxlx9246]

beautiful

[@onlythingicouldthink]

I just realized this was published today! Lol this is one easily one of my favorite tiny desk concerts. after The National of course

[@piotrlankof1373]

The national made the best concert, but Son Lux were also great!

[@dutchhiphopfan050]

+piotr lankof I loved the Oddisee and Alt-J ones too, especially Oddisee was amazing.

[@hectordealba9605]

Man, Matt B is really a great artist.

[@axelgrz]

Good stuff.

[@MonicaCC]

Lovely couple

[@MrAnttiSoul]

that feel when all you wanna do is play this song.

[@yarboze]

Brent Knopf rules.

[@isaacquiroga4771]

He returns!!!! Ser it un june 2019!

[@theandrewcummins]

Yes. That is all.

[@Mr.Gloomy]

Man, this version of Careless always breaks my heart

[@bishopc.knight4209]

this is the los angeles version of mattie. i adore all versions of matt. xo

[@innocencio22]

Mansa camisa tiene el Matt.

[@mattlarsen8585]

This is better than the album.

[@yannickanceaux9666]

+Matt Larsen Way better, I didn't really like the album, but this is pretty impressive

[@PaulWolfe1]

+Matt Larsen Like albums of The National, it's a grower. It also helps to know the inspiration/theme running throughout: The Minutemen (with D Boone re-imagined as Didi) + Sandy and Danny from Grease + Berninger. However, the scaled back version of No Time to Crank the Sun is better than the album. On the album version there's too much going on, too much background. In this case less is more.

[@mattlarsen8585]

+Paul Wolfe oh I like the album, but I agree with you, some of the songs on the album have too much going on.

[@JoshHinrichs-vv2ft]

His hair is epic

[@ComedicPause]

He's a bum with nice clothes

[@robertenglish5963]

What a cool cat.

[@pennypocket5463]

VCool need!

[@goldbuckley6136]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️

[@BruceGeils]

28 people with absolutely no idea. Wow. That was beautiful.

[@SpecialKidsAtHope]

Get kwabs on the tiny desk! That man is pure talent!

[@dmitrypodobreev9470]

Death Grips Tiny Desk Concert when?

[@TalesfromtheCradle]

JENNY DEATH WHEN

[@Jimmie95Dean]

It's like The National and Bono had a child.

[@kennygentner2941]

+James Daily That would be a baby of incest, because Matt Berninger is the lead singer for El Vy and The National.

[@zachwilkens7524]

This is so fucking good and while there are some tiny desk performances that I absolutely love, this is the only one that was so good, listening to the actual recorded material ended up being a disappointment

[@Skeevee]

he's a god.

[@TheEswire]

How do I get a hold of the piano man?

[@photosyn7442]

Please oh please can these be purchased for download?

[@bngjg]

didnt know thomas muller from fc bayern could play the piano

[@johnflegel5182]

Those dangling white-gold locks... remind me of a dignified poodle

[@fafafagat]

noice

[@taufiqismail8193]

Can you bring the lauv to the npr please.

[@hsmoscout]

*El VY

[@meowanderson2189]

I feel like they'd be upset that I expected them to do return to the moon, but I'm still a little disappointed el vy. You guys should do a video for that song in this style

[@meleecritical]

some piano riffage in there

[@xaon65]

rodney mullen on the piano

[@Asaski09]

AWKWARD

[@ryann409]

im glad he reconsidered this haircut

[@Nyotaku]

#thanksbob

[@josiahshank4355]

the way Matt bounces around, it looks like he's gotta pee

[@Hardbody94]

Matt lives like 5 minutes away from me... Flatbush Brooklyn, Beverly road

[@ComedicPause]

Throw rocks through his windows so he can write a sad song about it

[@PaulWolfe1]

+coney island lurker He lives in LA now. Probably explains his new appearance.

[@RyanPennington87]

I didn't even know the amazing Athiest sang

[@willzer808]

+William Pennington haha - yep TJ is a multifaceted man

[@noneofyoucanspell]

+William Pennington came here looking for this comment.

[@vegancomicnerd86]

+William Pennington I had the same thought when I saw the thumbnail.

[@Zhicano]

Damn TJ got thin!

[@nickfromCO]

Is that Frank Gallagher from Shameless?

[@TheEswire]

Hey piano man holla at me

[@TheEswire]

I’d love for you to play my piano

[@TheEswire]

🤗😏😍

[@TheEswire]

In love with the piano hands

[@TheEswire]

Been in love with you for a year or so now 🤓

[@gibsonfan3]

Crap, that's Robin Williams.

[@DUTCHswift]

I wanted to like this so much because I love The National, but it's just not doing it for me. I wonder if it's just because of the piano/Matt's voice that it just feels empty.

[@Gilbentes]

wtf the amazing atheist?

[@Youcantleavethisempty01]

I wrote better poetry when I was 9.

[@scottmitchell9856]

ugh ... this was painful

[@nicholasgholman]

What is wrong with you all? This is terrible.

[@Hardbody94]

Matt lives like 5 minutes away from me... Flatbush Brooklyn, Beverly road