The Tiny Desk Contest

And the winner is…

Quinn Christopherson out of Alaska, who turned in a stunning entry that I didn’t find before the announcement.

Quinn Christopherson is a transgender, Athabaskan and Inupiaq artist. He uses vulnerability to connect with those around him through songwriting. This video, filmed for the 2019 NPR Tiny Desk Contest, takes place at the Anchorage Museum in front of a painting of Mt. Denali. The name "Denali" stems from the Athabaskan language, Koyukon.

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I have long loved NPR’s Tiny Desk. Their annual spin-off, the Tiny Desk Contest, adds a “The Voice” element to their otherwise stellar programming of top-shelf performers.

I love to search “Tiny Desk Contest” before they announce the winners to see what YouTube has to offer. It’s become a yearly ritual. Some great ones rise up as viewers annoint them with views and likes. Odds are strong that you’ll find a few eye-openers. Here are some of my favorites this year. Not because they are perfect but because they seem to do something new or interesting.

Phat Lip “Coyote” - What you look for — in life but also in Tiny Desk submissions — is some ethereal hint that the artist is about to break away from the pack. This one from Phat Lip crackles. The lead singer’s pipes, the tastefully fierce subject matter, the unexpected and delightful vocal runs. This is a sum greater than its parts. I feel big things for this entry.

Upcoming single from Phat Lip "Coyote". 2019 Tiny Desk Contest submission

Cab Ellis “Flashback” - Give it a minute…

Connor Abeles (Vocals) Matt Richards (Clarinet/Sax) Nick Petrou (Bass) Jonny Sim (Guitar) Luke Woodle (Drums) Recorded and mixed by Joey Messina-Doerning. Shot by Diego Felipe. IG: @cabellisband

Zach McMillan “Once More” - This one isn’t pitch-perfect, but there’s a compelling dynamic in the interplay of his voice, his looping technique, and his general presence.

Videography: Wesley McCutchan An original song by Zac McMillan, performed live on a Boss RC-505

GLASYS “Acceptance” - Umm, uh, okay. Fingers of fury.

This is an original tune called "Acceptance", and it's my submission for the 2019 NPR Tiny Desk Contest. In this video, I control an acoustic drum kit through my Arcadia controller using 4 Polyend Perc drumming machines. Every sound you hear is performed live simultaneously, no overdubs or sequences.

Noso “Allie”

With interplay between guitar and vocals that approaches Laura Marling levels…

Instagram: @nosomusic Lyrics: Paint blue stars on your cheeks quietly He said your mouth is small which won't be great for "things" Where've you been, Allie? Remember nights dressed as Marilyn How've you been, Allie?

Sierra Ferrell “Why’d Ya Do It” - Even the introduction to this one jumps off the page. The Berlin zazzle on this one, mixed with Appalachian warble, takes me somewhere new.

Sierra Ferrell - Vocals and Guitar Stu Hibberd - Drums Nate Leath - Fiddle Shawn Supra - Double Bass Written by Sierra Ferrell Filmed and Recorded by Stu Hibberd