Superorganism: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- čas přidán 1. 05. 2018
- April 25, 2018 | Bob Boilen -- I went from really loving the music of Superorganism to being a transformed super-fan the moment they sent me an email ahead of their Tiny Desk performance asking, "is it okay if we [bring] inflatable whales when we play?" Now I feel like the kind of fan I was when I wore a yellow radiation suit to a Devo concert in 1978.
The multinational band of theatrically fun and talented musicians in Superorganism mix melody and mischievous with almost Seussian folly. In addition to the 20-plus inflatable whales they provided, the band requested via email that we provide "7 x Crunchy apples, 7 x cans of Coca Cola (or similar, as long as they are 330mls/12oz cans it doesn't matter)." They added, "PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A RIDER BUT PART OF THE PERFORMANCE."
When the seven members of the band arrived and huddled behind my desk, they blew into straws, making percussive noises, used toy cars and radios for sound effects and added lots of handclaps. And in the midst of it all was Orono Noguchi, a small-framed, self-described "average 17-year old Japanese girl living in Maine." (That's from an email she wrote me last year). The band set up a couple of belt pack guitar amps for their Moog and electric guitar, along with a big Anvil road case to beat on for percussion - and then they sang about prawns.
"Oh, have you ever seen the prawn cause a world war?
Have you ever kissed a prawn; got a cold sore?
Have you ever seen a prawn kick off?
Have you ever seen a prawn in a pair of handcuffs, oh
You people make the same mistakes
Over and over, it's really kinda dumb, oh
Slow learning is kinda your thing
You do you, I'll do me
Chillin' at the bottom of the sea and I say...
[Chorus]
I'm happy just being a prawn.
If all this hasn't made you curious enough to watch this Tiny Desk, we'll never be friends and it's probably best if you skip this. But I'm going hit the play button again and, after that, listen again to their debut, self-titled album!
SET LIST
"The Prawn Song"
"Night Time"
"Something for Your M.I.N.D."
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Bronson Arcuri, Beck Harlan, Dani Lyman; Production Assistant: Joshua Bote; Photo: Jenna Sterner/NPR. - Hudba
They sound like how Michael Cera looks
i laughed hard this lol. so true.
Yes, I laughed too. Borderline insulting to the band considering that man's personality. I see/hear is name and puke in my mouth a little, *before* I can think of his acting.
@@OfficialMyxomatosis aww. he's not that bad lol. he just looks as though he stumbled on to a set and was too polite to say he wasn't an actor, so he just kept doing the bit until it was too late to turn back.
@@astarious HA! =)
AHAHA dis funny
This band feels like if an introverted girl drew herself friends so they could make a band
Perfect definition
yesss I was thinking it felt like the entire band was just figments of the main girl's imagination
curious that a hologram imagines meta-holograms
You made me squirt coffee out f my nose with that comment!
That’s funny and explains why the band has 3 members “clapping” but no bassist
I can't tell whether they're musicians or drama students
yes
Show me one group of drama students that are this cohesive
Just hipsters.
better ask the question: are they doing music or are they musicians?
Musima I think
I love how she looks exactly how she sounds.
Bored ha ha
Bored ha ha
You didnt say who youre talking about but we all know
Dolly Parton?
@@b-roys6607 yeah that's right
the lead singer is like a girl sitting alone in a party and the rest of the band is like her mind
mikhailgibbings i need this as like a music video or movie or concept
Noah M. On it.
Hey Superorganism. Want to do this video? I’ll fly up from Trinidad and direct the whole thing. Noah M recommended me specially. We have to do it for him. Love to hear back from you when you get the chance.
This is actually a really clever way to put it. I like it. That is all. :)
This conversation LMAO
Mikehailgibbings, sort of like Disney's movie INSIDE OUT! :)
In 2004 seven teenagers were wrongly sentenced to detention in the music room....
MTWB 6 teenagers and a toddler
Lemonade Mouth
Lemonade mouth lmao
@@calumcooper6841 6 teenagers and a depressed toddler
I'd watch that movie.
The lead singer is like unpopular yet actually the coolest kid in school.
으앵앵 I totally get those vibes lol
Exactly what’s on my mind
I got a "snarky" vibe from her, not so much cool. Heh
Maybe the world
Saludos desde Bolivia los amamos
"Hi Mom... yeah, can you pick me up? ... yeah, YEAH, I got accepted! ... What? No, they already had a guitarist, but they let me play the Bucket."
Isn't that just a cheapo Walmart hope chest that kids throw in the dumpster at the end of freshman year
Superorganism is the type of randomly assigned students that overdo their group project assignment
and I'd be the one dude saying, "Guys...it was supposed to be a report and powerpoint presentation about prawns! Why are you blowing bubbles and bitting apples? *sigh* We're going to fail biology."
In a way, that's kind of fitting description - most of the members of the group met on on-line forums or were introduced by friends of friends - they came from US, UK and Australia, but four of them met when they were living in London - they formed a group - and when this group was performing in Japan they met another member who was Japanese but was a high school student in Maine. The South Korean member actually lives in Australia - and they create songs by sending files to each other, and commenting/adding/changing - till they come up with the finished song.
It's a group of chaotic goods that someone let loose in a drama club meeting
These Superorganisms can save the world from the Coronavirus...
This is what conservatives think Millenials do with their free time.
I wish I could be this creative in my free time.
Ahahahaha but its true tho
I mean....if the shoe fits.
If only it was this productive!
RA_ ankh lol basically. Conservatives hate happiness
This band is made out of every single Portlandia character.
What about Jason Sudekis from the Colin the Chicken sketch? 😂🤣
😅
this comment omg😂
such an appropriate name for their band. The music is quite literally a living thing. It bubbles, claps with many hands. it hangs balloons. I love this.
and their song "suprorgnsm" explains this too :P
Haha very true… I love your dreads by the way!!
their name sealed them to me. Such an intelligently self aware concept & how I would like to live.
the main vocalist’s apathetic voice works really well with the energetic backing vocals
I wish I could agree :(
Reminds me Of Noname but without the joy in her voice
i thought the same of her voice... fits into the whole arrangments fantastically😎
The band got formed when 6 nurses of the psychological department tried to cure the chronic apathy of their 12 years old patient by doing noises with random stuff. They didn't succeed as doctors, but now they earn money by making concerts.
I totally agree with that. Like it very much.
God dammit, Becky forgot the straw and now we cant play like 4 of our songs
BAHAHAHA
Imagine that one kid in the "band" who loves to chew straws but oh no..mm
Serious, the moment the straw came out I wondered why I wasn’t already into this band.
effing Becky. I told Karen we she just buy a pack and stash it in the case.🙄
Teacher: do a project on marine biology
Theatre kids:
Uu788
@@lindatrent5738 thank you, linda
yes exactly
This is like a new genre... ASMR Rock
That might stick. I thought about that in terms of the grammy winner who has the green and black hair. She's brilliant but...
@@spensert4933 billie eilish? i get what you're saying and there were many other nominees that should've won the grammy, but billie did a sweep with a whopping 5 grammys. she deserves it because of how well her songs are doing, but she is doing a lot of whispering.
It’s called soft rock
i love how the lead singer has the whole disaffected, aloof, detached vibe going but she goes for a hug after every song haha
People don't have to look exactly how they feel.
@@samaraisnt S thats an amazing "note to self" here
@@AshleyPomeroy Found the reddit user
@@samaraisnt ok
Description of a courageous introvert
Bet these guys know how to play mayonnaise.
finally, mayonnaise IS an instrument. hopefully horseradish, too.
Most unerrated comment right here
What about banana
666 likes
That's my favorite Smashing Pumpkins Song
Everyone is talking about their quirkiness... how about the fact that their music is really freakin’ cool!
I've never heard their music until I watched this, and thought it was really good. They definitely have a unique sound
agreed. The audience here is a bit more occupied with themselves and their observations than the actual musicians. Lurky, lurky. .
Do you guys have any other bands that you recommend? 🎃
@@Garzaricardo The Melvins
I heard one of their songs on that show Legion… but yeah they are really good!
I feel like every time the lead gave a hug, it was like "I've been outside for too long. Take me back into my dark cave."
"Oh ur in a band? What do u play?"
The water bucket & bubbles in a cup
Don't forget, bitting an apple.
I'm back up vocals and apple crunch. In one song I play the toy car.
🤣🤣
And the dude in the blue jacket on the right is just
oh also, shoes
The best this about this band is that they all live in different places. So the songs are written by sending recordings back and forth, each member adding their own effects and sounds. Super cool to see the end result of like, absolute collaboration
So off topic but the spam logo...are you from Austin MN? I have fam there, Or do you just really love spam?
Yes Spam, Yes ;)
Wikipedia says 7 out of 8 of them all live in the same house in east london...
Spooky D they come from different places but 7/8 live in the same house
While most of them do live in the same house, they do still work like Spooky D said, they just are all in different rooms in one building instead of being in different countries.
'Oh you're a musician? Cool, what do you play? Piano, violin?'
- 'A bucket of water'
'I play oranges and a cup water cup'
I watched bunches and bunches of tiny desk concerts and am so impressed with the (audio) mix. So good .. and so taken for granted. Shout out to Josh Rogosin.
Agreed. It was so good I started to wonder if it was pre-recorded. But this would be one of the toughest bands to pull off lip-syncing, with all the quirky yet effective unconventional instruments.
The audio mix is fkin awesome
They might overdub something that didn't come through on the mix; but it really seems like its all live (I have watched many of their videos). Also the level of the performers is breathtaking. I cant stop watching their videos; amazing music, superb audio quality!
You should watch Jacob Collier's desk concert.
Indeed. Kudos for the sound guy, always impeccable
Lead singers like "I'll sing but not cause you told me too"
legend has it the guitarist doesn't have eyes.
He's a muppet?
facts
@@mygoodfriendcosmo silly facts 😂
I was gonna like the comment but I can’t ruin that magic number
2:12 oh boy
They actually bite an apple for the sound effect 🤣 10/10
XD XD
Oh she ate that...swallowed
@@butchgreene please refrain
@@Karl_Squell thanks so much for your input. Was referring to the fact that she actually didn't waste the freaking apple. She genuinely ate it. Gutter much?
@@butchgreene Ohh.. Yeah of course I got that. What I meant to say was that the swallowing sound would be a great addition to the refrain.
When you and your imaginary friends watch Scott Pilgrim vs The World
I love them
If the film “Juno” was a band.
Or Scott Pilgrim
discardmyfriends well, Scott Pilgrim already heavily features a band
omg my thoughts exactly
Yeah Scott pilgrim has a kick ass band lol
The mouldy peaches
If Adventure Time was a band
The more I read this comment, the more I convince myself that Orono would have to be BMO
architecture in helsinki
They really do sound like a Rebecca sugar(she does the music for adventure time)
LAKE czcams.com/video/os8WIRrtu5o/video.html
@@pixelpiratepo If Lake did a tiny desk, that'd be great.
0:00 The Prawn Song
3:06 Night Time
7:06 Something For Your MIND
your a hero
when the guy started playing the race car toy i felt that
even crazier, I thought he was a woman until the Japanese dialogue
@@lincolnhiphop1852 its been a year but... its korean
This is my cat's favorite band.
😂😂😂
wanted to like but can't fuck up the 420 likes
This made me laugh.
Kitty has good taste
Happy 420 Day
This Portlandia sketch actually sounds great!
Go to one of their concerts. The entire judgemental “don’t judge man!” crowd is a portlandia sketch. Although they don’t ascribe to “labels” maaaannn huhuhuh
lmao ACCURATE
😂
Haha holy shit, so spot on
hahahaha
I love their music beyond words, but can't help but to feel like they only eat sustainably harvest fair trade tofu because anything else would be problematic. This fact doesn't bother me... I am just jealous I can't pull off Portland like they can.
Luke!!
what's funny is none of them are from portland
I think they just hang out in the forest eating lichens of logs.
But seriously did they all meet in a marine biology class or oceanography class in college is that how it was formed?
@@mwara2444 Four of them make up The Eversons, an indie pop group out of Wellington, New Zealand. Orono happened upon them in CZcams recs and became friends with them when they toured Japan while she was back home there in the summer of 2015. They found out she could sing and when she got back to Maine, she recorded the vocals to Something For Your M.I.N.D. B, Ruby and Soul are more anonymous. But now, everybody but Soul (who’s in Sydney) lives under the same roof in London.
Yeah, I looked at them and guessed 'probably not a lot of GOP votes in that crowd,' but I decided to leave personal prejudices out of it and just admire their creativity, anyway. I hope they continue to do well.
Came for the music. Stayed for the hilarious comment section
Yesssssss
this is something I thought I'd never say but I really liked the water solo
I have a water bubble solo in one of my songs. i recorded dry ice making a bowl of water bubble :)
A moment of silence for the sound guy who had to figure out the best way to capture the live sound of a hand dunking a tub a water.
Saam yes!!!
I would have used a hydrophone or an SM57 in an unlubricated condom. ;)
Hadnt seen your comment but i said similar things, npr people are great for making this sound as great as this does. Solid performance also.
How about “sound engineer” instead of “sound guy”?
Fiona Riches thank you, bad habit on my part.
Every time I hear a podcast or live performance that sounds like it was recorded in a shoebox sitting on the side of the 405 at 5:30 on a Wednesday I remember this video exists and the audio engineer had to mix for a bucket and shoes on a desk and the sound is flawless....
i love the fact that the girl in the pink top was wearing safety goggles to play the water bucket!
"Creativity is intelligence having fun"
major props to the audio engineer
imagine capturing the sound of splashing water in a bucket
@@adindaarianti9434 "You wanna do what?" - audio guy probably
Can we take a moment to appreciate how well thought out and kind Bob Boilen's descriptions are for each video? I love reading them every single time
Double thumbs up!!!
Since it isn't already listed in the video, here are the names of the performers:
Orono Noguchi - Lead Vocals
B - Backing Vocals/Percussion
Soul - Backing Vocals/Percussion
Ruby - Backing Vocals/Percussion
Emily - Keys
Harry - Guitar
Dr. Tucan Taylor Michaels - Percussion Case
even their names sound like book characters from completely different genres
Who's the one on the water bucket?
@@HaruoASecas Ruby played the bucket and wind chimes. Soul played the toy car, straw, bell and soda can.
What instrument do you play? The water bucket
Jule Lo amazing
Jule Lo “I blow bubbles in a cup”
I eat apples for my band lmao xd
I was looking for this comment
jajajajajaj
this band is the personification of light-up sketchers
Will Franklin Thank you for this comment 😂🙏🏼
Lmfao
Where is the lie though?
The girl in the yellow is amelie change my mind
lol I was about to say that
She even has the red lipstick!
Lolll yes
it looks like all the group members are contently trying to make Orono Noguchi smile
That dude is literally playing a desk...
Would have appreciated if the desk was a little tinier...
I watched this video twice and i finally noticed it
I mean it’s a Tiny Desk concert, isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? /s
This is exactly how I picture Portland.
Because you've never been there...and probably struggle to get out of bed...
Based on your reaction you seem to have viewed my initial comment as a negative one. Do you not like Superorganism's music?
Or maybe they don't like Portland―? The suspense is killing me.
You're exactly right.
@Ken Kavanagh
That was the perfect response to round out the Portland experience. Come for the quirky, internet-soaked Indie Pop, stay for the insecure hipster posturing.
They look like they're having a lot of fun, and their music is a lot of fun!
They are like Yo Gabba Gabba but for young adults having a rough time adapting to adult life.
Best water bucket player in the business
Certainly so good she needs safety googles.
Check out Susie Ibarra yo!
i've seen some really good ones. but these guys are legit.
This tiny little concert is their ideal performance space, NPR you just made their music 100% more enjoyable
This music makes me feel like when I was a little kid, playing and just vibin. Really fun
Guy on the bubbles had great control.
If this actually their live sound, much respect.
It's like a bunch of people sitting and singing around a campfire, having fun, a few of them brought their instruments with them and the rest is using whatever they found to make cool noises and sounds.
I LOVE IT!
this music just reminds you to not take yourself to seriously
that being said... it's actually surprisingly well orchestrated
This is -by far- my most favorite tiny desk concert. Watching this on any day instantly makes my day good. I was familiar with the group by listening to them on a random running playlist but I had not seen them preform nor did i even know how they produced their music. Such a cool production. Im grateful these creative musicians came together, made music, and recorded this concert.
Not a single musical discovery in the last decade has brought be so much joy as discovering Superorganism! I first saw them on this Tiny Desk convert and instantly felt I had found my people!
I feel like The Breakfast Club would have been a very different movie if they were locked up in the music room instead of the library.
lifeofcarrot lemonade mouth
that's called limonade mouth
I’d love to be the lead clapper
I come back to this video every year or so. It’s just so pure.
this is the best tiny concert I’ve ever seen
I love how everyone else is really jammin out, singing, and dancing while Orono is deadpan.
It really ties it all together.
The contrast between her vocals and the rest of the music is so perfect.
I normally wouldn’t like something like this. It’s very heavy in electronic sounds and kinda dancey like I could hear it in a club but I love it. The colorful bouncy music anchored by Orono’s almost apathetic vocals is brilliant. Let’s see how many more times can I say the same thing?
There's no doubt she's what makes it work.
(But to be honest I find all the other people deeply, deeply punchable.)
+ puerto cobain - they remind me of the lying lizards who i adored in those days...
czcams.com/video/E-P2qL3qkzk/video.html
This principle of musical tension between the lead singer's style and the band's is also what makes Steely Dan so interesting... Donald Fagen's weird thin warble contrasts perfectly with the sterile, smooth jazz-rock. Orono's distance is perfectly at odds with the hyper-energetic backing...and it adds up to incredibly listenable music
+ the hoss - you´re funny... :-)
i wonder why i´m reading your comment, it states facts where there are none, hmmm - well, it is what it is...
+ the hoss - you´re funny... :-) i wonder why i´m reading your comment, it states facts where there are none, hmmm - well, it is what it is...
edit: i think you´re on a wrong site somehow, if you´re looking for some kind of beethove or coltrane you should go somewhere else, this is from teenagers and twens and for teenagers and twens...
ooooooooh now i saw, and now got you: someone put "your" "holy" steely dan into the shit, muhahahahaha - how cool is that - it deserves you right, absoluteley!!!
naked spite here... :-)
I bet that the case player has a case for his case.
This is so beautifully unique that I can’t help but love it
I live for this low-energy singer
That's some tight water playing
not my tempo
an acid trip at a yard sale - both musically and visually
For those commenting on her face, you can see that she IS super happy to be there. It’s probably because the sound of her voice requires a certain expression - you can hear when someone smiles!
If all my primary school teachers formed a band.
I laughed way too hard at this 😂
You must've had cool teachers
The redhead looks like she sells sweaters made of straw
the funny thing is that she actually does
Especially with her yee-ass haircut.
You mean the bass player? xd
This video has the best comments on the internet
props to the sound engineer too. incredible work
Still can’t believe they got Audrey Tautou to reprise her role as Amélie just for this tiny desk concert! 😯
Amazing they can produce this sound live.
superorganism is like if the school of rock band went to an alternative school with an existential curriculum
my new tumblr bio
No, it’s like jack black went to art school with hipsters. And stfu about tumbler you hipster!
Um...I'm having a moment here. I've played a lot of shows (who cares), but I can tell you what they're seeming to do so casually here is extraordinary. Great songwriting meets really careful instrumentation and planning. Wowie.
Ethan Nickerson Yeah, I don’t think people understand how great these guys sound. The harmonies are so on point, it sounds like a studio recording.
Like an Indie slipknot
they all must have such an intricate understanding of each song, as someone who was in orchestra and knows how difficult it is for everyone to be on the same page
I got chills reading this... Exactly. They are so in sync, genius. This is amazing.
I know, it’s like they’re all foley artists and voice actors, on top of being rad musicians. Such a talented crew!
This show has still stuck in my head as one of the catchiest NPR tiny desks
This method of creating music is really creative! And also motivational to know with some ingenuity, imagination, and talent, you can create something really cool!
the lead singer is waaay to cool that it's lame then back to cool again.
and she doesn't care what I think and
I like it even more.
I don't really care what you think either.... :)
I don't know what to care anymore
she reminds me of one of my friends lol
😂😁😆❤💚♒🎶🎶🌻❤
Can I join the band? I can play the mayonnaise.
For real tho, this is trippy as hell
TheNamesDitto somehow i believe you can
Post an ad on Etsy and link them via tumbler. Make sure to include “aesthetic”
i think ranch would sound better with this kinda music
we need a more "Ketchup-y" player...sorry
That would be a miracle...whip.
Still love this session
they look like random bojack horseman characters irl. still love the vibes tho
This shows just how phenomenal the recording and mixing for NPR Tiny Desk can be.
Tbh I don't know if not mixed or if it was superorganism, they tend to mix a lot for these shows
It's like if a Wes Anderson film soundtrack broke the fourth wall and came to life.
Wes Anderson films are good though.
Parekh and Singh is Wes Anderson become a band, especially hotel Budapest
I feel like he would make a movie about a acid hippie band
This feels so alone and intimate while the whole room has literally no space for another bucket player
Absolutely sensational work by the audio engineer.
NPR: "okay, we have 28 microphones. how many do you think you'll need?"
Superorganism: "yes."
They really grow on you the more you listen to their music
This is hands down the best tiny desk
Love this band, especially love how no one looks like they make the same kind of music.
KUDOS TO THE MIXER OF THIS. SOUNDS LIKE A RECORD, REALLY. @NPR Music
Superorganism is like if Noodles from the Gorillaz left to make her own band. It blows me away how many sound effects they pull off live. The 10 minutes of this video goes by waaay to quickly
The band you are looking for is Chibo Mato. One of the people who played noodle was in that band.
Dude just because she’s a small Asian girl doesn’t make her like noodle lol, their music isn’t alike
The lead singer reminds me of this conversation that Lisa and Bart were having with Homer:
Bart - "Nothing you say can upset us. We're the MTV generation."
Lisa - "We feel neither highs or lows."
Homer - "Really? What's it like?"
Lisa - "Ehh."
Hey! I heard you're in a band that's so cool! What do you play?
*Ralph Emersons Self-Reliance and Other Essays*
am i the only one who genuinely enjoyed the songs tho? they sounded rlly nice
If you were the only one, they wouldn't be on Tiny Desk
@@awerawer0708 lol tru. it's just that not many ppl in the comments really seemed to have any compliments on the music.
nope they're amazinf
@@fendybendy6466 Didn't see any complaints either, though :)
bruh, their sound is amazing
Somehow these songs sound so much better live
I find it interesting how all of their performances sound slightly different to each other and it always sounds great.
“Have you ever sat and wondered what goes on inside someone’s head?”
How have I never heard of these people? Great fan of the Tiny Desk series, but this passed me by entirely. Hope there's a lot more from these guys on YT. Loved it. Many thanks for the performance from over the pond in the UK.