Crews 
The War and Treaty brought their powerhouse vocals, undeniable chemistry, and a whole lot of soul to NPR Music’s legendary Tiny Desk for a performance that felt more like a full-scale revival than an intimate office concert.
Released on July 23, the nearly 20-minute set featured married duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter backed by an expansive ensemble of musicians. Michael also took his place behind the keyboard as the group blended elements of gospel, country, Southern soul, blues, rock and classic R&B.
From the opening moments, Michael and Tanya’s vocal connection was undeniable. They kicked off the concert with the joyful and uplifting “Are You Ready to Love Me?” from their 2018 album Healing Tide, immediately setting the tone for a set rooted in love, perseverance and emotional honesty.
The duo followed with the moving “Down to the River” and “Five More Minutes,” a deeply personal song inspired by Michael’s mental-health journey and the love and support Tanya provided during one of his darkest periods. The emotional weight of the song was felt throughout the room as their voices moved effortlessly between tenderness and full-bodied gospel power.
The performance also gave the couple an opportunity to showcase music from their fifth studio album, The Story of Michael and Tanya, including “Don’t Say Goodbye,” “Shouldn’t Have” and “High Heels.” Released on Juneteenth, the album explores their individual journeys, marriage and continued evolution as artists and life partners.
The Complete Tiny Desk Setlist
- “Are You Ready to Love Me?”
- “Down to the River”
- “Five More Minutes”
- “Don’t Say Goodbye”
- “Shouldn’t Have”
- “High Heels”
While Tiny Desk performances are known for stripping songs down, The War and Treaty went in the opposite direction by bringing in a soulful orchestra complete with keyboards, horns, strings, guitar, bass and drums. The fuller arrangement never overpowered the duo, however. Instead, it created the perfect foundation for Michael and Tanya’s soaring vocals and natural stage presence.
The husband-and-wife team has spent the past decade building a genre-defying catalog and a reputation as one of the strongest live acts in music. Their accolades include two Grammy Award nominations, an Emmy Award and multiple honors from the Americana Music Association, along with more than 100 million streams worldwide.
Their Tiny Desk appearance serves as another reminder that The War and Treaty cannot be placed inside one musical box. They are country. They are soul. They are gospel, rock, blues and R&B. More importantly, they are storytellers whose love, pain, faith and resilience can be heard in every note.
Watch The War and Treaty’s full NPR Tiny Desk performance below.
