NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest | Courtesy of NPR Music
NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is back for 2019
It’s that time of year again. The time for unsigned artists across the country to break out their video cameras, warm up their vocalizers and come up with the most original and captivating original musical performance from behind some sort of desk. “Why?”, you ask? Because NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is back for 2019, awarding one lucky winner a visit to NPR headquarters to play their very own Tiny Desk concert, and then come on tour with NPR Music with support from our sponsor, Blue Microphones.
Today at SXSW, NPR Music announced the return of the popular Contest. And for the first time ever, it’s open to artists 18 years and older. Over the past four years the Contest has received more than 22,000 entries from artists and bands across all 50 states.
Winners of the past have gone on to do some great things. Fantastic Negrito, won two Grammy awards; Tank and the Bangas, has brought its unique energy to sold-out crowds around the world, even performing at last year’s Coachella festival. Last year’s winner, Naia Izumi, opened the national tour for The Lone Bellow, and signed a contract with Sony Masterworks to name a few.
“Each year the Contest inspires musicians to get together with their friends and make something—it’s wonderful to receive all these unique creations and witness how the community has grown,” said Bob Boilen, creator of the Tiny Desk concert series and host of All Songs Considered. “Just like at the Tiny Desk concerts: all genres and instruments are welcome. I can’t wait to see what musicians all over the country will send us this year!”
Here’s how to enter:
- Film a video of you or your band performing an original song at a desk. Any desk will do.
- Upload your video to YouTube.
- Submit your video via the entry form on the website.
That’s it! Entries are being accepted now through April 14 at 11:59 p.m. EST. If you’ve got questions, check out the official rules and FAQs.
Need some inspiration? Check out the last two winning entries below – or flip through our collection of 2018 entries from the Philly area.