Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes: 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.
Abby O'Neill | July 13, 2020
Producer/guitarist Tom Misch and drummer Yussef Dayes released a surprising and stunning collaborative album earlier this year called What Kinda Music, which I've listened to countless times these past couple months. This Tiny Desk (home) concert - recorded across six different musicians' homes - features two songs from that album, "Nightrider" and "Tidal Wave." On the former, special guest John Mayer provides a closing solo, just as he did at last year's Crossroads Guitar Festival. Also accompanying is longtime Misch collaborator Jordan Rakei and Tom Driessler on bass. "Tidal Wave," featuring Rocco Palladino on bass and Joel Culpepper on backing vocals, is equally hypnotic. Like the album, this short set evokes a dreamy utopia, blending live electronica, psychedelia and avant-garde jazz. The poignant hook of "Tidal Wave" - "Chaos / Throwing midnight like a tidal wave / Raindrops / Filling up your eyes as the water takes the stage" - feels symbolic and resonant with the current state of the world.
SET LIST
"Nightrider"
"Tidal Wave"
MUSICIANS
Tom Misch: vocals, guitar; Yussef Dayes: drums; Tom Driessler: bass; Rocco Palladino: bass; Joel Culpepper: vocals; Jordan Rakei: vocals; John Mayer: guitar
CREDITS
Video By: Joseph Dunn; Audio By: Tom Misch; Producer: Abby O'Neill; Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Video Producer: Maia Stern; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[@pcb8059]

Yussef is so musical with his drums, he could tour solo

[@Casey_J96]

I was just thinking that! I could just sit and listen to him play for hours

[@soSkikik]

+ Tom who is one of the most soulful white dudes out there... crazy combo

[@benonthemic]

He has done solo tours already

[@chriswhitt6685]

He's not bad is he 🙄🙄🙄😂😂✌️✌️

[@RobertSlover]

no.

[@kofiperry19]

For anyone who doesn't know, Rocco Palladino is Pino Palladino's son: the legendary bassist who worked on TONS of stuff, including D'angelo's Voodoo

[@toxicwaste70]

Thanks, I was just wondering if they were related!

[@joemichaels_]

That’s badass

[@lenmusic123]

Not to mention playing with John Mayer! I wonder if that is the link resulting in Mayer soloing here today :)

[@sarahfox3312]

Thanks for that

[@vincentabbang]

@@joemichaels_ !

[@marinamartin3826]

John Mayer.. Tom Misch... stop. My heart

[@matanelarono9422]

Yes amazing

[@milagroonieva864]

Épico!

[@antoinesjam1130]

And Yussefffff

[@Veazeysbanjo]

my man ovaries can only take so much

[@ispahan7980]

SAAAME Marina jajajaja

[@joyandrea243]

this concert should be longer than 8:36 seconds

[@razmoore4644]

Big facts!

[@Mahmamaya]

Such an insult! Like fr.

[@noone-jw4gm]

Well, it is home npr, i guess live from actual npr studio will be longer

[@G_B0450]

My thoughts exactly. I’m like why so short!!

[@jamo__music]

YES

[@giftkgadima3343]

Hiding behind the thumbnail is Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes, Tom Driessler, Rocco Palladino, Joel Culpepper, Jordan Rakei, John Mayer. What a lovely surprise!

[@Generaldogsbodyesquire]

the thought of john mayer sat at home listening to nightrider is so mad

[@Elementsk8r862]

@William Gillin I was always surprised to hear Johns (even recent) music sound like it does. I thought it was his 'brand' as well, I really can't get into it even though I know there is a god tier musician behind it. I would love if he did a collaboration album similar to what Tom and Yussef did here and took a back seat.

[@TheCleft]

Yep, I also appreciate that John always looks for new trends in music, that is what makes music and his own art evolve. I'm a huge fan of his blues stuff, but I love that he doesn't fall into full nostalgia and knows how to balance that with more modern tracks (how funky is "Moving on and getting over"!) or collabs (with the great Tom Misch). He also invited Billie Eilish's producer in his "Current Mood" show, I was surprised but appreciated that he took the time to understand todays trend.

[@geekychick131]

@William Gillin I don't think it's his brand that's preventing from making music with Nightrider vibes. His background is in blues and those are his ABC's. I've seen him dipping his toes into different genres of music over the last few years and even in those genre-bending moments, the blues influence REALLY comes through, IE the solo we just heard in Nightrider. The same thing could be said with Tom, that jazz influence just runs through him.

[@viniciusgusmao796]

John Mayer, Tom Misch and Jordan Rakei were already my favorite artists before that. And Yussef is currently my favorite drummer. Is awesome see all they together.

[@RaYzoRtv1]

Pop Rocco on the bass and Alfa mist on the keys and you’ve got the dream team

[@JoAlexisBronsteinMishaga]

Agreed!

[@soccerqueen4life2]

Yesss

[@Zaagvis]

@@RaYzoRtv1 I WANT HORNS

[@vivekteega]

and Rocco is currently my fav bassist! :D

[@swijap]

yeah sorry we couldn't get freddie gibbs do his part so instead we put a sick solo of john mayer in it... yep, works for me

[@bayareaknight4814]

The drummer's skills are insane...how could I have not known about this dude.

[@pianomarksman]

Check out the album 'Black Focus' by Yussef Kamaal, Yussef Dayes is the drummer on that, it's real good stuff. Also, Yussef Dayes' other solo and collab work is amazing, check out 'Yesterday's Princess' by him here on KZbin.

[@dennis_johnson]

Check out Love is the Message too!

[@razmoore4644]

I'm a HUGE Yussef Dayes fan!!! This album was amazing! You should listen to the album Black Focus from a group he was in called Yussef Kamaal as well as his other songs "Love is the Message" and "Blacked Out". He's just PHENOMENAL!

[@pastense]

You might’ve already seen him in a viral video few years back of him and an entire band jammin inside of a school bus. That was him!

[@jesslima4856]

A dream.

[@marcosclaus2676]

I need a John Mayer Tiny Desk CONCERT. He is with the best musicians too

[@CoffeeGirl25]

impatiently waiting!!!

[@aimDiego]

@@skarl_3 not if he does "Standing Tiny Desk"

[@christiantasidaily]

Days of 3 John Mayer - huge desk Concert

[@notrenbanney2450]

No thanks

[@victorslavick3872]

Are we talking about Room for Squares John Mayer? If so I agree

[@mawandekolele8078]

This is everything I imagined intergalactic space travel to feel like...

[@oluwatobilobatedela1008]

Liar

[@_bermuda]

This drummer.... man. Quite possibly one of the more unique styles I’ve ever heard. So creative, yet so tight.

[@sahildoshi4438]

Welcome to the London Jazz Scene! So many talents brimming here but Yussef is top, top, top notch

[@marcroy8575]

@Gofaw absolutely. fusion jazz in the non-traditional sense ;)

[@ggh_-ts6pn]

@Gofaw This is not jazz, but Yussef played in jazz gigs and records before this (check Yussef Kamaal album). Tom himself came from jazz background, he studied jazz in college altho not complete. Thats why their music so colourful, they have jazz knowledge and applied it to pop music.

[@aclyte2679]

We need John Mayer Tiny Desk

[@bradenwang887]

Alright we need a john mayer tiny desk now

[@noloyisolange2679]

Desperately!

[@petertaylor2725]

John Mayer is a great musician but couldn't 'hold' the gig for more than 10mins solo.....

[@connordurham4289]

@@petertaylor2725 dumbest comment ive ever read in my life

[@216Numbskull]

@@petertaylor2725 What's wrong with you man, GTFOH dipsh!t you obviously don't have a clue of JM's work & gig's? JM jams guitar & sings 2 to 3 hours a night on tour with the "Grateful Dead" Hold this MF, Blah!!

[@sandrosantos7055]

John showing that "silence" is music too.

[@Jeremiah.craigg]

John Mayer's tone is otherworldly

[@arthuraraujo258]

Rocco: so there's this John guy that plays with dad, and he sort of wants to collab... Tom: errr sure, let's give him a solo at the end

[@datukaruma1563]

You know, Tom is a big fan of John right? Mayer even gifted Tom a silver sky a few years back i think.

[@tycho_m]

a most wholesome example of real recognizes real

[@yalunzhang266]

This the mf Avengers of music

[@VitorAugustoVTR]

Hahaha

[@quentinmingo2436]

Onggg

[@tinacarr6614]

Yes yea yea

[@tinacarr6614]

@@quentinmingo2436 Say it again omg

[@hashmahesh]

I can see Loki on his bass.

[@pierceive]

Tom casually saying: And ummm John Mayer with the guitar solo at the end

[@Veazeysbanjo]

only thing to make it better would have been "Oh yeah, there's this on random guy we found from the street. I think I've heard of his name"

[@uniqueflowsnake]

It's like harrison ford not rememberin ryan gosling in an interview I saw. great jokes :D

[@shanthemusickid]

bruh this whole vid crazy they really got john mayer on this jawn grhdhddh CRAZY also forgot jordan rakei did that background on nightrider

[@filipezoega6093]

Oh, and Rocco Paladino there... Uf

[@user-gc1qk3hy9p]

Let get sagging different DJ jodhpurs UDS just just Johns The house the one that will yesterday I will get the kids in and then will get one of those things and then the game will get the kids to the kids house then I will get the house

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

As long as John Mayer, Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes, and Rocco Palladino continue sharing their talents, MUSIC is alive and well.

[@seabass7560]

Tom is like the son of Sade and Thom Yorke. And it feels good!

[@FunkedUpKids]

The bassist is absolutely killing it on the first track. Tasteful voicings 🌊🌊

[@nickargiropoulos6692]

When you see John Mayer and Tom Misch. Ready to watch it live from work

[@Monomonmamon]

From soundcloud to playing on crossroads and working with Rocco Palladino & John Mayer, man he's amazing

[@Barney-ii1no]

Yeah I remember him uploading music onto soundcloud before he popped off, its amazing to see his progression

[@fellitaatmadjaja1669]

John Mayer’s skills is just unbelievable lol

[@tycho_m]

JM's playing has so much finesse and subtlety it always rewards a closer second look. When he switches from fingers to pick in this solo for example. Very fitting addition to the smooth grooves of Misch/Dayes. Fun fact: Rocco Palladino is the son of John Mayer Trio (and D'Angelo etc) bassist Pino!

[@johntylersounds]

I read this comment and was like how disrespectful and then John Mayer appeared and I was like “ohh” lol

[@johntylersounds]

caprice.t being a guitar player it always sucks to be compared to other people when your trying to do your own thing. That applies to everything

[@aimDiego]

@@johntylersounds I wouldn't be mad to be compared with someone else, it's not like I feel that I'm better than anyone else.

[@iulia1690]

Fornication will do that to you..idk

[@othmanemakinsi9967]

We need a solo John Mayer Tiny Desk Concert PLEASE I'M BEGGING Y'ALL

[@night9462]

Yussef's groove and control is simply incredible

[@nhinguyen-yd4bi]

they really got john mayer on this wow

[@TheHisisi]

Pino Palladino has played with John Mayer. So I doubt it was too difficult haha

[@apollo6457]

The album was so perfectly recorded in such a live sense that this tiny desk doesn't provide as much as most do. Beautiful nonetheless

[@Oliver_Hallowee]

Good point. Usually these bring out new dimensions but this is just nice to see it happening but it sounds much the same as the album

[@luvalle8296]

This just makes me sad that we can’t see this live rn because CHILLS

[@melaniesky3184]

The vibes on this video are AASSTRONOMICAL

[@coqui9879]

This comment gave me bad vibes LOL

[@melaniesky3184]

Christopher Herrera oh no 😬😂 I definitely was not going for that

[@mrericchwang]

WE NEED MORE TOM MISCH AND JOHN MAYER COLLABS

[@hughg.rection6778]

I am already expecting Tom's third appearence on tiny desk concert

[@mage29426]

I love how Rocco's head movements really mimic his dad's (Pino Palladino)

[@musichead133]

I noticed that too 😄

[@jaspervanloo9864]

Now all we have to do is wait for Rocco to pick up a fretless.

[@carlosgonzaga9405]

Guys, you need to listen this in LP is unbelievable...

[@danielford1209]

Facts

[@Joel-gm7zy]

Went to buy one when it first came out but couldn’t afford it lol 😅😢

[@vipuljani8392]

What's the name of this LP

[@user-fl7qy4fw3i]

Totally agree with u

[@user-fl7qy4fw3i]

Vipul Jani it’s what kinda music

[@laowongstyle]

I'm here for Tom but i saw John Mayer~ nicesss

[@arthurhozana4100]

Exactly how I felt

[@kitakhat]

Yeah me too. I'm a fan of Tom. It's a dope set fa sho.

[@DueceBandit]

Just wanna give a shoutout to one of the consistently best comments section of any YT channel. Tiny Desk for the win, artists AND fans!!

[@ProAhole]

Between this, the Jacob Collier, and Lianne LaHavas concerts, I'm about ready to demand KZbin allow for 10 Thumbs up... 1 is not enough for these folks.

[@nprmusic]

Demand 10 thumbs!

[@katelynwilliams7929]

I agree! Tom Misch, John Mayer, Jacob Collier and Lianne La Havas are some of the greatest musicians of our time. Some of my favorite artists 🙌

[@banz9062]

👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@kyleyoungmusic]

3:59 “and ummmm.... Wait, who was that guy again?? Oh yeah.. JOHN MAYER on the guitar solo at the end..” 🔥🔥✔️

[@jessgates200]

any track with yussef is divine. hes so controlled yet free smh. if this is anyones first time-i suggest "love is the message" as a great extended introduction.

[@Moogisha]

Come on, only 2 songs ??? 😭I was starting to get hyped

[@jmk1962]

Me too

[@lollyraaths68]

saaaaaame

[@cb4664]

I know! What a let down!

[@mpbassmusic4565]

Yussef Dayes is my favorite drummer! So glad you got these guys.

[@leomartin7430]

Mayer, Yussef Dayes, Rocco Palladino and Tom Misch himself... this video's got a few of the best musicians of our time.

[@marcosaraujo3555]

John Mayer is probably one of the best musicians who doesn’t have a tiny desk concert yet

[@adiak.2953]

I love John Mayer’s music (I think stop this train would be perfect for a Tiny Desk Concert) but Tiny Desk still has a lot of uncovered ground when it comes to amazing musicians.

[@bignutzinyomouth5045]

Fkj also

[@moosesnWoop]

also, S/O to Tiny desk crew keeping us sane during tough times. WE SEE YOU

[@nprmusic]

🤗

[@cb4664]

@@nprmusic YES. THANK YOU. RAHSAAN PATTERSON NEXT PLEASE.

[@Startower86]

Crispiest drums ever, smoothest voice in existence, random guitar solo from Johnnie boy...wow

[@danielavila7914]

Those bass lines from Tom Driessler. Amazing!

[@joshuajose8598]

How does Yussef Dayes make his drums sound like this?....it sounds perfect throughout each song and it doesn't just fit in the mix...IT IS THE MIX!

[@Lve2face]

Tidal Wave is such an amazing song. Yussef's drumming is so tight too

[@andrealcantara1437]

Yussef on the drums, amazing

[@marccassis]

Love how their music connects people from around the world

[@katelynwilliams7929]

Uggghh this is one of the best things I've ever heard! I can't think of a better combination of musicians. Tom Misch & John Mayer were already two of my favorite musicians. We're so lucky to be alive at the same time as music like this 💛

[@joeramseymusic]

Oh my days John Mayer (my hero), Tom Misch, Yussef slapping on drums and Rocco slamming the bass, then Jordan Rakei on backing vocals?!? I can’t take this no more

[@zanewright9686]

Yussef has a very particular set of skills, skills he has acquired over a long career, skills that make him a nightmare for amateurs like me....

[@Mettyunuabona_]

I’ve never heard anyone drum like he does it hard to describe - I’m trying to mentally keep up with what he does and it’s mind bending even. That right hand of his is the best in the business!

[@chapmn56]

@@Mettyunuabona_ Chick Corea, who he trained under at a young age

[@danielwilliams4379]

mah boy Joel Culpepper pulled through with them "woman.. woman.. WOMAAA-AAAN" notes 🔥🔥🔥

[@reuelabraham6970]

“Just” two songs, but worthy of a standing ovation. It was just lovely to hear these songs before seeing this and then see the artists play them live with even more soul and skill. Hats off all the way - 10/10

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Nightrider* (3:47) 4:13 - *Tidal Wave* (8:10)

[@jakelaroche2762]

Tom driessler sick on the bass man. Loved his playing on Yussef Kamaal too

[@emmansal]

Cant believe this. NPR you have outdid yourselves! This is the best collab of the year. Thanks!

[@nprmusic]

Thank you for watching!

[@nicholaspalacio9672]

Always love watching Rocco play bass. He’s got the same groove nodding that his dad does. And he’s an animal in his own unique regard.

[@mmyilmazyurt8666]

Tidal Wave is so good that you can feel the sound and the feeling of waves in the ocean just by the melody...

[@Teje.wheels]

Everbody talking about Roco and Yuseff but Tom Driessler is giagantic, the bass line in nightrider is on another lvl, so complex wich is in line with yusseff drums. The tone, the intentionality and lines with fifth string are fireeeee. Thanks for this masterpiece.

[@RajorshiBhattacharyya]

YES

[@zipho]

i’m so glad i discovered ’what kinda music’ it’s one of the best albums i’ve ever heard

[@slash196]

Rocco hitting just behind the beat is the hardest thing I've ever seen a bass player do.

[@tomkorffdegidts]

Woweeeey...Tommyboy swags on that bass

[@mikeg8777]

Literally everything coming out of the UK is straight up FIRE...

[@raulmiranda737]

I love how John Mayer has been a hired gun in recent years providing tasty guitar riffs to other artist's music.

[@oxsila]

I can't even imagine how buzzing Tom Misch must have felt hearing John play over his song lol

[@geoffizhere1]

Both John Mayer and Tom Misch are my favourite Artist, so it's a win win! 😁❤️

[@2WheelsGood]

yussef's cymbals sound so good, and obvs he's killing it behind the kit in that buttoned up jacket.

[@LabelMeInfinity]

I grew up thinking Neil peart was the best drummer ever with his massive kit and driving beats until I asked a drummer I respected who his favorite drummer was and his response was Ringo Starr... Since then I have always respected more the simplicity yet complexity of the way some of these drummers play. This drummer has it. Love it....

[@jakelocsin3029]

Johns solo at 2:58 took my mind and body to mars and back

[@naysamoreno7775]

Tom Misch makes my heart melt

[@lildrum78]

Take my money!! I would love nothing more to see these absolute monsters play! What a band: Tom Misch, Yussef, Rocco and John Mayer and the velvet tones of Jordan Rakei. Amazing!

[@swan2725]

John Mayer+Tom Misch +Jordan Rakei💗💓💞💞💝💘💖

[@dibyayan388]

Tom Misch is obviously a big Mayer fan. His songs 'Lost in Paris' and 'Movie' were clearly inspired from 'Neon' and 'Gravity'. Must have been huge that John said yes to this.

[@nnao1976]

Thank you soooooo much for this!! I hate to sound ungrateful right after this and I was just gonna ask for bringing Yussef back with his trio (Rocco and C Stacey), but god it's criminal not to have a John Mayer tiny desk, we just have to have it.....I love him too much

[@porkgyoza9961]

Yussefs drums always have such a beautiful tone to them

[@dhessocial3934]

THANK YOU

[@eloge3716]

I've been wanting this so, so bad. This one coupled with Jacob's, tiny desk is making my life so much better these days! Definitly digging the 'home' concept

[@tomikool]

This saves my soul 💚💚💚

[@avuzwamoeketsi9659]

Grateful for this !

[@kay2202]

this album is awesome!! listening every day

[@alemayehusolomon941]

Very glad NPR is keeping track of these excellent artists! Yussef and Tom are superb! Props!

[@lizmejiamontanez2373]

Waiting patiently! What a fantastic way to start a Monday morning!

[@georgegilmer799]

For sure

[@user-ge2hn3fk8q]

closing a Monday nite in Japan with some trance❣️

[@guillermocornell3257]

Amazing musicians!!

[@edbeaumont99]

Can we all agree Yussef outshines Tom by a country mile?

[@Eliyahillel]

When it's cropped - Yussef really looks like he's outside lol

[@treemarie3080]

YESSSSSS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Perfect timing for a study break 🤓😩😩 What Kinda Music is currently #1 in my list this year by far 🙏🙏

[@MTBxify]

amazing, thank you for this.

[@Thisthat1234]

Talent that casually sells out anywhere. Here on YT for free..... thank you

[@therealbacaboo]

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! So glad I listened. Perfect vibe for me right now. ✊💯 Salute!!

[@Zodiak34]

if you havent consumed everything with yussef's name in it already, you should. (yussef kamaal, alfa mist collabs, solo projects, and anything with his name on youtube)

[@Oliver_Hallowee]

Yesss🙏

[@jhoanggg]

Agreed. He has been my hyper fixation as of lately

[@_anyasaltykova_]

gosh tell me what in the life is better than such music. glad to be alive

[@iforgoteverythingtoo]

the whole album is gold, these musicians are all so wonderful

[@danhughes8037]

Put some respect on Tom Driessler’s name, killed it on Black Focus too.

[@Papa-ey8dp]

That dudes baselines were the glue to that album. He’s extremely underrated. He killed it on lowrider.

[@danhughes8037]

@@Papa-ey8dp I couldn't agree more my friend :)

[@vivekteega]

Amen!!!!

[@kickinradical]

Big truth

[@ivanr4180]

He is such a talent!

[@rayaneghilene5152]

About that guitar solo tho john mayer

[@alfredeviggiani1541]

my kind of vibe. thanks.

[@zoltm]

Excellent recording! Thanks Josh!