Got a desk?

Rule No. 1 of the Tiny Desk Contest, plus recording tips [View this email online]( [NPR Tiny Desk Contest]( The first rule of the Tiny Desk Contest is simple: Your entry must have a desk. How else would we know you have what it takes to perform behind the Tiny Desk? (You might think we’re kidding because we do like to have fun around the Tiny Desk … but we’re not! See: the very extensive [official Contest rules]( We’re pretty generous about what counts as a desk — we’ll accept nightstands, [dining tables]( [side tables]( [coffee tables]( [toy desks]( even [desk jewelry](. However, we cannot count your piano as a desk — no matter how many hours of work you put in behind it. And while there are some wonderfully cluttered shelves on display behind Bob Boilen’s Tiny Desk (Bob, any plans to tidy up [Adele]( water bottle or that CD signed by [Taylor Swift]( shelves alone do not count as a desk in your entry videos. [Some of the many desks of the 2023 Tiny Desk Contest]( Some of the many desks of the 2023 Tiny Desk Contest While not required, you are welcome to get creative with your desks. Our 2017 winner, Tank and the Bangas, committed to the desk theme and [recorded in a classroom](. Our first-ever winner, Fantastic Negrito, recorded [his entry]( in an old elevator shaft behind a makeshift desk. Last week, we saw [an entry]( where the artist built a wooden desk by hand. But again, recording behind a regular old desk (like our last two winners, [NEFFY]( and [Alisa Amador]( did) is perfectly fine. Once we confirm that your entry includes a desk, we can move on to what really matters: your music. A while ago we asked the team who puts on Tiny Desk concerts — the producers, videographers and audio engineers — for some tips on how to record a great Tiny Desk Contest entry from home. Here’s some of what they shared: - “Find a window,” says videographer Maia Stern. “We usually record Tiny Desk concerts with no extra lights, just window light — and that will likely be enough for your entry, too. As you set up, make sure the light is facing you instead of positioning yourself directly in front of the light. (Keeping overhead lights on is fine, too.)” - “Test your audio first,” says audio engineer Josh Rogosin. “Try to position your recording device or microphone so listeners can hear vocals and lyrics clearly above instrumentation — and then make a test recording and adjust the placement (and your performance) based on what you hear.” - “Connect with your audience,” says Bob. “It's one thing to write a great song, to take words and music and be expressive — but it really also helps to look at me (i.e. the camera). Look at your audience. Think about the people you're conveying your message and your song to.” You can read [more tips from the Tiny Desk crew here](. The 2023 Tiny Desk Contest is presented by Capital One and supported by Guayakí Yerba Mate. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Before we go, one more friendly reminder: The Contest closes on March 13 at 11:59 p.m. ET and you can enter at [NPR.org/TinyDeskContest](. We truly do appreciate those of you who submit before the deadline — you can check out the hundreds of artists who have already submitted now on the [Contest website](. Best of luck! From the Desk, NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest team P.S. Contest judge Sharon Van Etten “[can’t wait to listen and get to know all of your music]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]