Destin Conrad knows no creative bounds. Last year alone, the “Make It Up” singer released two starkly different full-length bodies of work. To feed his alt R&B fan base, Conrad shared his Grammy Award-nominated album, Love On Digital.
Then, before hitting the road for its supporting tour, Conrad surprised supporters with his jazz venture, wHIMSY. The chart-topping project quickly won over listeners. Now, Conrad’s leaning further into his sonic detour.
During his appearance on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert, Destin Conrad let his calm, cool, and collected alter ego, Mr. E, loose. Opening with “wHIP,” Conrad buttered up the crowd for a sultry 21-minute ride of sensuality.
Accompanied by legendary trumpeter Keyon Harrold, the duo seamlessly push-and-pull, mirroring the track’s emotional turmoil. As Conrad transitioned into “wASH U AWAY,” a fan favorite from wHIMSY, it appears he found himself battling through vocal strain.
To compensate, on the fly, Conrad created a grittier arrangement, which, by happenstance, added an extra layer of storytelling and much-needed texture to the tune.
By all means, it is Destin Conrad’s presentation; however, the brilliance of his band can not be ignored. Music director and Slimwav, Mack Keane on piano (with additional vocal support), as well as guitarist Maxwell Hunter, bassist Louie Lastic, drummer Daniel Venz, saxophonist Dan Foster, and background vocalist Astyn Turr.
As a special treat, fellow singer Vanisha Gould joined Conrad for an enticing duet of “A Lonely Detective.”
After gliding across tracks LOVE!,” “IN THE AIR,” “MR. E,” “SO NICE,” Conrad wrapped his romantically entangled setlist with Love On Digital’s upbeat, flirty breakout “Kissing In Public.” So, the cycle of enmeshment starts again.
Far more often than not, newer acts find comfort in artistic homogeneity. Although there’s nothing wrong with cultivating a signature sounds this is the exact opposite for Destin Conrad. His swaggering Tiny Desk Concert was the sonically expansive proof that genre categories are not a boundary, but rather a simple suggestion.
Watch Destin Conrad’s Tiny Desk Concert for NPR Music below.
Set List
- “wHIP”
- “wASH U AWAY”
- “A Lonely Detective”
- “LOVE!”
- “IN THE AIR”
- “MR. E”
- “SO NICE”
- “KISSING IN PUBLIC”
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Destin Conrad’s albums Love On Digital and wHIMSY are out now via Above Ground Ent/EMPIRE. Click here to order and stream.
