Meridian Brothers: Tiny Desk Concert

Felix Contreras | July 7, 2023
You gotta love a band that names itself after siblings that don't exist, and under a name that doesn't match anyone in the band. At least I do.
I've been a fan of the edgy sonic traditions of the Meridian Brothers for a while now, and jumped at the chance to bring the duo's space age cumbia direct from Bogotá, Colombia to the Tiny Desk. And band leader Eblis Alvarez did not disappoint.
Right from the start, the band's cumbia-infused grooves floated beneath almost otherworldly electronic keyboard sounds in "Guaracha U.F.O.," eventually incorporating Alvarez's signature, sly "I know something you don't"-style vocals. It's easy to be tricked by the eccentricities of the instrumentation and the offbeat vocal stylings, but Alvarez is a man with a vision, using his vast knowledge of Colombian folk and pop music to do things like pay tribute to an imaginary salsa band that never existed, as he did on its last album.
Things were very real during the group's turn behind the Desk, as he and his band challenged the audience to bring along what they knew to meet him in his world of recycled beats - played by his dedicated crew of Colombian musicians - off-kilter vocals and imaginative storytelling lyrics on "¿Dónde Estás María?"
He and his band pulled off a powerful version of "Bomba Atómica", a sort of calling card that speaks to Alvarez being influenced by the rich history of Colombian cumbia and surf rock guitar, for a song that is essentially a frantic warning of the end of the world. Alvarez acknowledged the audience's appreciation with two raised fists, as if to celebrate how the real world dipped their toes into his realm of the imaginary, and everyone was better for it.
SET LIST
"Guaracha U.F.O."
"¿Dónde Estás María?"
"Bomba Atómica"
MUSICIANS
Eblis Javier Alvarez Vargas: guitar, keyboard, cello, vocals
Alejandro Forero: keyboards
Cesar Quevedo Barrero: bass
María Angélica Valencia Sanchez: saxophone, percussion
Mauricio Ramírez Echeverri: drums
Alejandro Araujo Larrahondo: percussion, vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Felix Contreras
Director: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel, Michael Zamora
Editor: Michael Zamora
Audio Assistant: Brian Jarboe
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Maia Stern, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #MeridianBrothers

[@nprmusic]

Hey Tiny Desk Fans,
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[@buho1122]

Very glad to see Colombia represented by a non-regueton band. More like this please!!🔥🔥

[@carles3316]

Please!!

[@batnest5]

YES!!!!

[@manuelalejandro3322]

Y recuerden, lo importante es que la Cumbia suene más fuerte que los problemas.

[@jonathangonzalez5474]

Apoco tocaron cumbia? 🤦‍♂️

[@manuelalejandro3322]

@@jonathangonzalez5474 entre otras cosas, sí. No es mi problema si estás sordo

[@jonathangonzalez5474]

@@manuelalejandro3322 aber, en cual momento tocaron cumbia? Pon el time stamp donde tocan la cumbia 🤣

[@manuelalejandro3322]

@@jonathangonzalez5474 la primera canción tiene una estructura de cumbia con tempo acelerado, fusionado con electrónica y otros elementos. Te repito, si eres sordo o tienes algún impedimento mental para entender estructuras musicales complejas no es mi problema

[@benimanah]

​@@jonathangonzalez5474they literally have an album called Cumbia siglio

[@ElEnemigoCol]

QUE VIVA COLOMBIA QUE VIVA MERIDIAN Q VIVA BOGOTÁ NO JODA

[@jamesmenesesviales7012]

That guy just literally spoke an alien language perfectly pronounced after playing the most minimalist salsa ever

[@teresaa6150]

Best part is he got one of the aliens to play drums for him 👽

[@IndoorHighs]

Smoking a fatty listing to him speak Martian 🔥🔥

[@salvsmith9564]

Estuve esperando este tiny desk desde que subieron las historias al Instagram y no estoy para nada decepcionado aguánten los meridian brothersssss

[@incomploruto6006]

x80

[@AlejandroElOyentePropio]

X2mil

[@storstygg]

I was initially introduced to them via their Weird Al-eqsue "(Son of a) Pichaman" novelty song a few years ago on Spotify -- then dove deeper into their discography. WOW. Definitely very seasoned musicians that are part parody and part homage to Colombia's rich musical history. The better my Spanish gets, the more little winks and wry jokes I pick up - ENJOY!

[@KevinMerinoCreations]

What a great start to my Friday morning ... a high energy, eclectic sound party! 👏👏👏

[@jenjen2744]

I loved it! Fresh sounds, full of energy, unique, totally entertaining, like digital tech meets traditional folk. Brilliant creatives! ✨

[@AmbiguousAnthony]

How do you get people to come together and agree with each other to make music like this? That’s the impressive part.

[@derechorocks]

The music is also impressive… and your questions is reasonable.

[@jamaicmalic]

Just ask them if they want to come over a drink a full Cartón de Cawamas bien heladas and play some Salsa Caliente myfriend

[@chriscortes6322]

The root of the answer would be that they have studied and also dissected the cumbia sound to its most essential parts to reinterpret it again.

[@goceystore]

it's actually eblis who writes, arranges and records everything solo i believe, the band is just for touring. either way, the chemistry and talent is unreal in everybody on stage!

[@TheFullofnihil]

If you ever visit Colombia you will see many more bands like this 🙌

[@felipegordon6713]

Lo más grande musicalmente hablando que ha dado esta tierra en las últimas decadas!

[@nomart4888]

¡Qué alegría ver representación Colombiana en Tiny Desk ❤️🇨🇴!

[@andresgualdron]

"Guaracha U.F.O.": 0:00
"¿Dónde Estás María?": 7:05
"Bomba Atómica": 11:49

[@thomassharer8453]

Highly recommend seeing these guys live. Saw them last summer for free at MacArthur Park in L.A., probably one of the most engaging shows I’ve ever been to. Literally felt like a Columbian U.F.O had landed & hundreds if not thousands of people dancing care free

[@fightvale57]

That's so rad. I miss living down the street from Mccarther.

[@dustinsimpson9876]

I danced so hard to them at Pickathon festival this summer

[@DocmyEye340]

Played at word fest in manhattan, loved them

[@DocmyEye340]

World

[@samueljaramillo7144]

Colombian, not columbia compadre. We appreciate it

[@snowstrobe]

Ah, Tiny Desk you've done it again... introduced a new band into my life! Thank you.

[@GamerWyfe4Lyfe]

Ooh I'm feelin this 💃 Thanks for introducing me to something new- love finding new music!

[@KevinBuritica-jp1tm]

then you'll love to hear these artists:
Mitú, Lido Pimienta, Combo Chimbita and many more.
Colombia has a richful musical environment, so many atmospheres and rythms :)

[@chriscureton622]

Finally someone had the balls to come out with some exciting new music 💥👺🔥

[@lisawhitfield3434]

Not my VIBE, but I am an open minded person. Always willing to learn and try something new/different. I watched the whole thing.
Great that NPR does a variety of ARTISTS. A lil something something for everyone. Great Job 👏🏻

[@dustinsimpson9876]

maybe later it will work for ya, things are not always immediate

[@carmensmithaguirre3049]

Within the first few seconds I was hooked! Delighfully weird😊

[@hailynewma9122]

who would have thought that my day will get that bright

[@bubblisimo]

Christopher Nolan' should rescore Oppenheimer and make Bomba Atómica the main theme song.

[@m.h0656]

I love how different and fun this is. The first song is super unique and fun but the second song has me hooked. No idea what they’re saying but I’m singing along anyway.

[@artheriumhum3924]

Wow, how great to hear something original !

[@michaelfedak8963]

Getting serious Residents vibes from this, love it.

[@manuelalejandro3322]

They even have a song called "Somos los Residentes". Indeed a direct influence for them 🤠

[@michaelfedak8963]

@@manuelalejandro3322 Wonderful bit of circularity there, The Residents were borrowing from Latin and Indigenous American music 40+ years ago and incorporating early electronic instruments. Now these guys evolve it further and bring it home.

[@theoldkid5725]

I can`t stop listening.This is phenomenal good.Thank you,thank you...!

[@wajobu]

I have a bunch of their albums-bizarre and fantastic stuff.

[@FletcherS92]

One of the best bands today

[@Yarglish]

La "Bomba Atómica" me renvoie aux souvenirs de l'excellente "Bomba Neutron" de Black Chantilly. Merci à eux de cette joie et de cette énergie. Un seul reproche : c'est trop court ! 🥰

[@timcampbell9545]

First song sounds like I just walked into a spirit Halloween store

[@lkajiess]

They've got ghouls.

[@trollkarlenjp]

i was thinking battleblock theater from that one. its a vibe

[@kirill76kuzmin]

Nope. This is what stress sounds like. Also, not a song

[@user-rw7xd7qy3j]

I'm sure they're stoked to hear that 🤣

[@waynedexter]

Thanks for the commercial 😒

[@RafaelBG89]

B O G O T A ❤

[@BelleEmoFuss]

Mucho amor para los meridian desde Ecuador!

[@tomas5376]

Un poco loco, pero fantástico! Música muy agradable con mucho entusiasmo.🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎵🎵🎶👏👏👏🙏🏼

[@vanmonroe4346]

01:34 you can see this dude thinking ---- "needs more cowbell" 😅😅😅😅

[@LecheLMP]

Fire 🔥 sounds, I love how they incorporate different Latin rhythm and sounds to each song. Saludos

[@armandomanzanilla]

gran banda latina, desde colombia para el mundo. Mis respetos desde chile

[@astridavila]

GRACIAS MERIDIAN GRACIAS COLOMBIA

[@majellacunnane9917]

Oh wow, I've just discovered Tiny Desk!! I may never leave home again.... 🥰

[@runamasishunku3467]

I think you might need vitamin d come out once in a while

[@t.farias9336]

Loved it, my favorite band from Colombia for sure

[@Enchantedgoddess]

THE BEST!!!! If you get the chance to see them live, TAKE IT!!

[@chabick9792]

ARE U KIDDING ME I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!

[@padremochismusical]

los hermanos meridian son la mera verga salu2 cordiales desde méxico

[@ChristianMercadoAcevedo]

Vamos a mandar este comentario al tope 😂

[@manuelalejandro3322]

Qué grandeeeees. Te quiero mucho Eblis

[@patriciapuliriver]

Que guapo ese calvo del teclado ❤

[@os2171]

My favorite Colombian band…

[@juanpabloguarinrodriguez8881]

Que vaina tan hermosa! Larga vida a los Meridian Brothers ❤

[@liaroseystar]

FYI, this is not their typical setup. Considering Tiny Desk’s sound restrictions and everything, this came out phenomenal!

[@guillermoazul220]

There is nobody like 'em! Love Meridian Brothers!

[@celsobarros2229]

This not music, this is frequency emition, very deep!!!

[@hmenace]

Great, this made my day! Btw I didn't realize until now that the Meridian Brothers have been my favorite band for several years now

[@enricocasini8495]

los meridian brothers son una banda de la mas mejor de los ultimos anos _ un complexo de musica bellissima que este gustosa para la psyche y para las gambas*°§çé°çç!!!

[@charles9810]

These guys rule! Amazing stuff! So so fresh!

[@emmmmmmma92]

this is the most beautiful and amazing music ive heard in a very long time

[@derechorocks]

Hay una empanada en este escenario.

[@milena_g]

Todo el amor para Meridian Brothers ayer, hoy y siempre. ❤

[@v.w.2701Timber]

Hey guys, you have to let that sink in first! It's definitely interesting, no question, the transitions are great too! Yes, that's something, you just have to get involved! Thanks for your performance 🙏🏻

[@nicogugaa]

Qué chimba, Los hermanos conquistando nuevos meridianos!

[@margaritaromero5332]

Wow! Me super encanta, I love them, have seen them live a couple of times, they are awesome live. Finalmnete Meridian Brothers en Tiny Desk. No lo puedo creer, otra banda más que nos da orgullo latinoamericano y Colombiano en el Tiny Desk. Gracias por atreverse a poner música nueva. The future of the music is here.

[@zamirafranco3034]

Me encanta su música 💘.

[@marianagiraldo3983]

Eso!! Que viva Colombia! ❤️🇨🇴

[@LauraGonzalez-ct6gp]

Qué alegría verlxs tan lejos! 🎉 Mange la mejor!!
Quiero un perrito que se llame Eblis ❤

[@feliperomero1422]

QUÉ MARAVILLA DE CONCIERTO! Ojalá pronto podamos verlos acá en México ❣

[@ayysweetstea9339]

Interesting hearing different styles of music there is out there!!!

[@saltcathedral]

meridian brothers por siempre!

[@berenjenamatelunar3189]

que alegria verlos porfin en tiny desk, se merecen esto y mas por el largo camino que han recorrido como banda. un abrazo de un chileno que los escucha desde casi 10 años ya.

[@NotMe42554]

OMG THIS IS AMAZING!!!! estoy tan feliz de que finalmente apparecieron en NPR

[@MAFEARIAS]

As a colombian alien girl, I feel very well represented ❤🇨🇴 los amo 👽

[@robertosalas9164]

Geniales. Hace un año los vi en vivo y quedé maravillado con su música. Saludos des Ecuador

[@MonoFractal420]

¡Larga vida a Meridian Brothers!

[@chita1205]

Doutro mundo... muito bom para nos ajudar a sentir vivos neste mundo!

[@Rockersudak]

Que chimba verlos llegar a Tiny Desk! ❤

[@CakeIsMyCat]

Can't emphasize how happy this made me

[@camiloparratorralba4963]

VAMOOOOOO BOGOTA CARAJO. Cracks!!!!

[@nojabhere]

Where's me shrooms

[@chriscortes6322]

Sólo 2 palabras se necesitan para catalogar a Los Meridian: muy tesos

[@TheFullofnihil]

Los amo meridian! ❤❤ que chimba verlos romperla cada vez más y más

[@morenosportsguards364]

los amo chicos!

[@paazbra]

This is great!

[@zat1342]

¡GRANDE Y SABROSO! ¡Up the Meridians!

[@user-dj3fi4vu2o]

Aye! Cumbia + Psicodelia, y muy originales!
Qué Bueno! 🎉
I've been following this project since its inception, and I'm so excited to see Meridian Brothers next week at Nelsonville!
@TinyDesk ~ Get FERD in studio!

[@madelrcardona]

Qué orgullo!! 🧡🥲VAMAAS!!!!🔥

[@ubaldinarivera6709]

Super Alejandro forero y la banda. Bendiciones

[@benjiarias9599]

Tremendo los Meridian!! Ya se antojaba un Tiny Desk con tremendas joyas. Fuega!!!!!

[@valentinamariacardonareyes805]

Espectacular ❤❤❤❤🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴

[@fabivilla2442]

I love the meridian brothers!!!!

[@juann598]

Colombia tierra querida intensifies* 🇨🇴

[@juaricolas]

Termina de tocar la cumbia mas acida que jamas habia escuchado, procede seguidamente a sacarse un contrabajo del piso.... simplemente facinante :,)

[@inpace1]

La Bomba is sooo good !!

[@ryani777]

Dope! I love it! You guys have a punk rock vibe and I dig it ❤

[@eduardosantosgaleano1235]

TE AMO BOGOTÁ

[@sgpalaable]

Feliz de haber tenido la oportunidad de verlos en vivo en Marseille el mes de mayo. ¡¡Que gozadera!!

[@Yarglish]

J'adore la Cumbia Psychédélique ! Trop peux connue en occident ;)

[@sacshellpolk4403]

Wow, another great show. I never head of them. Thanks again for introducing them to me.

[@fightvale57]

This is so cool

[@brunohernanz8459]

Puede ser que Eblis Alvarez sea uno de los artistas mas infravalorados del mundo? yo creo que si

[@jacardenasaguilar6186]

Es un genio

[@madogblue]

Love these guys. Thanks Tiny Desk

[@angelamariasuarezlozano5445]

Que dichaaaaa!!! La más fan hace más de 10 años!!!

[@brandonrivera148]

surreal ver un live de su musica en tiny desk.

[@antonioalvarado5282]

this was dope! Tiny Desk never disappoints.

[@ipostsongs5305]

loved it

[@bibiana_rojas_gomez]

¡lo máximo!

[@imafairy]

WOW! Espectacular!!