Tag Archives: Tiny Desk

Jun 10 2021
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Oh He Dead – The Foreigner (Tiny Desk Contest)

In February 2020, singer CJ Johnson told her Oh He Dead bandmates that she was pregnant. While they struggled to understand what this development meant for their big dreams as a powerhouse band, CJ penned this song about her life and the changes that were inevitable. Then the pandemic shut touring down for everyone, and Oh He Dead set out to connect to fans online instead of on stage. Their 2019 Tiny Desk entry “Lonely Sometimes” blew up big time, so we’re hoping “The Foreigner” catches fire with viewers and NPR Music in 2021.

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Jun 09 2021
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Micah Robinson – Waiting For You (Tiny Desk Contest)

Jazzy & soulful, singer Micah Robinson delivers the feelings on a new single “Waiting For You”, featuring a trio of talented musicians backing up Robinson’s powerful vox. We’d definitely love to see this classy gentlemen play a full set for the Tiny Desk!

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Jun 08 2021
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Justin Trawick – Starting Over (Tiny Desk Contest)

During the pandemic, musicians have had to get by without the large, attentive crowds they might have drawn previously. Some stream on social media platforms, while others perform on balconies or backyards. For the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest hosted by NPR Music, folk singer Justin Trawick decided to perform “Starting Over”, the title track from his 2009 solo EP, for a flock of sheep residing at Midnight Forest Farm in Lovettsville VA. How do the woolly farm animals take to his heartfelt songwriting? Watch the video to find out. 

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Jun 07 2021
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Griefcat – Revolution! (Tiny Desk Contest)

The always amusing folk duo Griefcat illustrate a facet of DC’s work from home culture during the pandemic that perhaps few had considered. We’ll leave the surprising topic for you to discover in “Revolution!”, the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest entry from Louisa Hall and Annie Nardolilli. You’re already curious about those pink fuzzy outfits, how can you not watch this video right this second?

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Jun 04 2021
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Near Northeast – Window (Tiny Desk Contest)

Honestly, seeing Tiny Desk Contest entries from DC bands popping up in my YouTube feed is giving me post-pandemic life. Indie folk band Near Northeast‘s annual submissions are always top notch videos thanks to long time video collaborator Kip Radt. This year he captures the zeitgeist with a guest appearance from Brood X on the song “Window” from Near Northeast’s forthcoming album. Great to see you again NNE, we hope the fine judges at NPR Music take note!

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May 01 2020
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Reed Appleseed – I Guess I’m Going To A Party (Tiny Desk Contest)

In singer-songwriter Reed Appleseed‘s 2020 NPR Music #TinyDeskContest entry “I Guess I’m Going To A Party”, he sings about the awkwardness of attending a social event just to please one’s partner. It’s a wistful and melancholic throwback to pre-quarantine life, and we wonder how the song’s narrator is getting along these days.

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Apr 30 2020
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Lightmare – Pica Taco 25 (Tiny Desk Contest)

Six piece soulpunk band Lightmare squeezed in this entry just under the 2020 Tiny Desk Contest deadline. “Pica Taco 25”, a new song presumably inspired by the local Taqueria Mexicana chain, is captured in this Zoom video that must have been challenging to synchronize with the tempo and intensity changes. Creativity finds a way!

On the song’s title, Lightmare responded:

Funny story, the title of the song was the automatically populated title on one of our phones when we recorded the first take. After searching for the right new title to capture the real message of the song—the ongoing battle with depression and trauma—we realized nothing felt adequate, so we chose to leave the title where it dropped.

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Apr 27 2020
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Two Ton Twig – Beltway Wolf

Time for another #DCmusic entry in NPR Music’s #TinyDeskContest. This one is a new tune in the arsenal of bluegrass/folk band Two Ton Twig, a ripping song called “Beltway Wolf”. Give them a follow on Facebook to keep up with their periodic live streams.

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Apr 24 2020
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Shannon Gunn – Nature (Tiny Desk Contest)

We don’t get to post very many jazz music videos, so kudos to trombonist Shannon Gunn for her 2020 NPR Music #TinyDeskContest entry. Her new song “Nature”, in Gunn’s words, “celebrates nature in all its energy and glory”, “originally inspired by the old hymn ‘For the Beauty of the Earth.'” Featuring Kelton Norris on drums, Karine Chapdelaine on bass, and Chris Barrick on vibraphone, this take was the winner even with Barrick’s brief sheet music snafu.

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Apr 22 2020
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Drew Beckman + The Boundary Boys – Hellfire (Tiny Desk Contest)

Drew Beckman, DC’s only queer cowboy singer, put together this entry to the 2020 NPR Music #TinyDeskContest in the innocent time before our COVID-19 lockdown. “Hellfire”, a brand new song backed by The Boundary Boys, is about “diving headfirst into sin and enjoying every second of it.” Damn, remember sinning? Those were the days.

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