Watch Neffy’s Tiny Desk concert premiere

Plus October updates from the Contest community [View this email online]( [NPR Tiny Desk Contest]( Ever since the pandemic shut down Tiny Desk concert operations in our Washington, D.C. headquarters, we’ve been missing the feeling of welcoming artists to the Tiny Desk and hearing their music in person — though we’re really grateful for the Tiny Desk (home) concerts artists have created in the meantime. We’ve been dreaming about being back at the Desk ever since we left, and while we’re not back for good, we recently got to return briefly to film one very special performance. Neffy, our 2021 Contest winner, lives in Arlington, Va. — just across the river from NPR HQ — and was able to perform behind the Tiny Desk with the help of a tiny, socially distanced crew. It was “quite the surreal experience,” as she says during the concert. She performed her Contest-winning song, “Wait Up,” as well as three other songs about friendships and homecoming in a performance that moved us to tears. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Desk (virtually) tomorrow, Oct. 27, when we premiere Neffy’s Tiny Desk concert at 12 p.m. ET on NPR Music’s YouTube channel. “Thank you for listening,” Neffy says during the set between squeals of joy. “Thank you for making my dreams come true.” [Neffy at the Tiny Desk]( [WATCH THE PREMIERE]( October’s been a big month for other artists in this Contest community as well: - Yasmin Williams, who entered the Contest in [2018]( and 2020 — and who [talked with Tiny Desk alum Brittany Howard on Top Shelf]( — took her inventive talents to a bigger (Tiny) stage, when she performed her very own [Tiny Desk (home) concert]( last week. - Madison McFerrin, who entered the Tiny Desk Contest in 2017, and Linda Diaz, our 2020 Contest winner, both performed at [BRIC JazzFest]( in Brooklyn over the weekend. - In other Contest royalty news: Quinn Christopherson, who won the Contest in 2019, released a new song called “Bubblegum,” which was featured on All Songs Considered this morning. - Noso, who entered the Contest in 2019, released “[Suburbia]( a new track from her forthcoming debut album, which was featured on NPR Music’s #NowPlaying blog. - Also featured on #NowPlaying: “[Stranger]( a new track from Anjimile, who entered the Contest in 2015, 2018 and 2019. - 2021 Contest entrants [Yosmel Montejo]( and [Z The Author]( spoke with the folks at NPR’s Weekend Edition about the stories behind their entries. - Sabrina Song, whose 2021 entry was [featured by Phoebe Bridgers on Top Shelf]( recently released a new song called “[Good Night]( - And Semler, whose 2021 entry was [featured by Contest judge Jewly Hight]( released their first EP, [Late Bloomer](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Have you also been working on new music? Have an update to share with our Contest community? Let us know by replying to this email. From the Desk, NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest team --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [tinydeskcontest@npr.org](mailto:tinydeskcontest@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Interested in connecting with music-lovers and music-makers across the Contest community? Join our Tiny Desk Contest Community [Facebook Group]( Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on [Spotify]( and [Apple Music]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Books, Pop Culture and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Tiny Desk Contest emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]