Mind-blowing entries

Plus, experimental, impressive, exuberant jazz entries [View this email online]( [NPR Tiny Desk Contest]( We’re getting very close to revealing this year’s Tiny Desk Contest winner – but before we do, a couple more Contest judges got to share their top picks. In last week’s episode of Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf, judges Michelle Zauner (of the indie rock band [Japanese Breakfast]( and [iLe]( shared some of their favorite entries with Bob. Their selections included remarkable guitarists, songs sung in Spanish, a "mind-blowing" bassist and more: - [Pocket Queen & The Royal Flush, “WE CAME TO MOVE”]( - [Aubrey Hays, "Love Didn't Hurt You"]( - [Micah Edwards, “Jean Leon”]( - [Alisa Amador, “Milonga accidental”]( - [Raine Stern, “Lydia”]( - [Piquete, “Fluir”]( - [Ollella, “Lava”]( - [John Ferrara, “Perhaps Everything, Perhaps Nothing”]( The Contest judges also talked about their own experiences playing behind the Tiny Desk. Michelle admitted how nervous she was before her Tiny Desk concert and explained that performing without any vocal effects can be a very humbling experience. iLe shared that even when things don’t go the way you’re expecting behind the Desk, “you learn new things about it and still enjoy the show.” --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Contest blog, our friends at Jazz Night In America [shared some of their favorite 2022 entries]( – an eclectic mix that displays the expanse of what jazz has to offer. Their selections included an exuberant brass band from Tennessee, an impressive harpist from California and an experimental saxophonist from New York. From our own tiny desks, NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest team P.S. Watch this space for a big (or, some might say, Tiny) announcement next week. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [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]