The 2021 Tiny Desk Contest Winner Is...

Plus, 'El Tiny' welcomes J Balvin and Diamante Eléctrico

View this email online by Marissa Lorusso Courtesy of the artist Each year, we open up the Tiny Desk Contest as a way to hear music from all over the country that we might otherwise miss. We ask unsigned musicians who want to play a Tiny Desk concert to send us a video of them performing an original song behind a desk (you know, to get a sense of what they’d be like behind the Tiny Desk). We receive entries from thousands of artists, from every state in the country, performing in every style imaginable — and we pick one winner to come perform behind Bob Boilen’s desk. Over the last two months, as our judges shared their favorites in our Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf livestream series, they all said the same thing: With all this talent, it was going to be pretty tough to narrow it down. But one entry rose to the top. “It stopped me in my tracks,” said one of our judges; another said this performer’s voice “commands attention by its very nature.” That voice belongs to Neffy, a singer-songwriter from Arlington, Va., and the winner of this year’s Tiny Desk Contest. Neffy returned to her hometown from New York City during the pandemic; in her winning song, "Wait Up," she sings about slowing down and rooting herself in nature during a difficult year. We announced the winner on NPR’s Morning Edition and later, featured an interview with Neffy on All Things Considered. Neffy also spoke with Bob Boilen live on YouTube about how she wrote her winning song and how artists like Adele, Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman have influenced her music. We’re so proud to name her this year’s winner, and to welcome her into the Tiny Desk Contest family. “I hear the river knows my name,” Marissa Lorusso Newsletter continues after sponsor message New Music More than two years after “Old Town Road” became an inescapable hit, Lil Nas X has finally released his debut album. The superstar spoke with our colleague Sidney Madden about finding the confidence that allowed him to be more personal in his music and how he pictures his legacy as a queer musician. Plus, you can hear a discussion of the album on New Music Friday from All Songs Considered, along with conversations about new releases from Adia Victoria, José González, Sheila Jordan and more. Neffy’s Tiny Desk Contest-winning song kicks off this week’s All Songs Considered mix — plus, hear new music from My Morning Jacket and Snail Mail. This week on #NowPlaying, NPR Music’s guide to today’s essential releases: a new full-throttle performance of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, a single from metal band Cynic’s first new album in seven years and a grand, ecstatic performance from Cleo Sol. Featuring George Wein was a founder of the Newport Folk Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and was perhaps the most important jazz impresario of all time. He died this week at the age of 95. Already heard both of this week’s episodes of All Songs Considered and need more podcasts about great new music? It’s Been A Minute shared an interview with Memphis singer-songwriter (and Tiny Desk alum) Yebba about the highs and lows on the way to her impressive debut album, Dawn; plus, hear a conversation about Kacey Musgraves’ latest release, the breakup album star-crossed, on Pop Culture Happy Hour. This week, our friends at World Cafe shared a four-song World Cafe At Home Session from Rodrigo Amarante. Tiny Desk NPR From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Tiny Desk is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with an "El Tiny" takeover: 10 Tiny Desk (home) concerts, curated by the Alt.Latino team. First up: J Balvin, the príncipe del reggaetón, performs on a sunny barge in the middle of the East River. We also shared some Colombian indie rock courtesy of Diamante Eléctrico, accompanied by a colorful 10-piece backing ensemble. Incoming John Prine’s debut self-titled album was released on Sept. 23, 1971. To celebrate the classic album’s 50th anniversary, we’re hosting an online listening party, where our colleague Ann Powers will be joined by an all-star lineup: John's wife Fiona Prine, their son Jody Whelan, legendary singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt, who made the album’s “Angel From Montgomery” one of her signature songs, and producer Jim Rooney. One More Thing A moth walks into a podiatrist’s office... Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). 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 and Apple Music! You received this message because you're subscribed to NPR Music emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy