Return Of The Tiny Desk Contest; Best SXSW Moments; An Appreciation Of All-Women Big Bands

Plus, the best earplugs for all concert-goers.

NPR In 2014, we launched the Tiny Desk Contest to discover great unsigned artists. Musicians were invited to record a video of themselves playing an original song the way they’d do it for a Tiny Desk concert — that is, at a desk. The winner would perform their very own set here at NPR HQ. Since then, tens of thousands of performers from every corner of the U.S. have applied to the Contest. We were introduced to Tank and the Bangas (who won in 2017) and Lau Noah (who didn’t win, but we liked so much we asked her to perform anyway). Past winners have signed major-label deals, gone on world tours and won Grammy awards. The Contest has also connected us to a vibrant, exciting community of music-makers around the country — and helped them connect with each other. Now the Tiny Desk Contest is back for 2019! If you’d like to perform behind Bob Boilen’s desk, here’s your shot. To learn more and check out the rules for submitting your entry, head to the Tiny Desk Contest website. Good luck, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna Featuring SXSW can be intimidating. The NPR Music team, who went to Austin for this year’s festival, is here to help. The All Songs Considered crew has been cutting through the noise with daily audio recaps. Hear their “wow” moments from SXSW 2019. Jazz Night In America celebrates Women’s History Month with a chat with Sherrie Maricle, drummer and leader of the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, as well as a tribute to the roaring legacy of all-women big bands. New Music Our favorite albums dropping this week: Lux Prima, a new collaboration by Karen O and Danger Mouse; the first album in more than a decade from British electronic duo the Cinematic Orchestra; and some sugar-coated experimental pop from CHAI. Hear about those and more on New Music Friday from All Songs Considered. Each year, we compile the Austin 100: six or seven hours of highlights from the SXSW Music Festival. This year, lots of Austin 100 alumni returned to perform at the festival and we made a playlist — in case you wanted three-and-a-half more hours of music discovery. This week in our First Listen series, hear the latest from emo favorite American Football and the debut of Londoner Nilüfer Yanya before the albums drop next week. Tiny Desk Amr Afilky/NPR When rapper Leikeli47 and her band came to the Tiny Desk (decked out in TSA uniforms!), they turned Bob Boilen's workspace into a cross between a church pulpit and a mid-century parlor room. Kaia Kater’s music often ruminates on questions of race and identity, though she plays the banjo within a musical tradition that doesn't always seem in sync with those issues. At the Tiny Desk, she gave a sublime performance, including songs from her latest album, Grenades. One Last Thing During a concert, you – yes, you – need to protect your ears. So says Tiny Desk engineer Josh Rogosin, who breaks down why earplugs are a must and recommends a few brands and models. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on Spotify! You received this message because you're subscribed to our NPR Music emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002