NPR Tiny Desk submissions – Tuned Up favorites (first entry)

By Ryan G

NPR is having a contest in which the winner will be flown out to their studios to film one of their famous Tiny Desk concerts. These sessions are known for forcing known and unknown bands alike to strip down their sound into its rawest form. Bands and artists all over the US are flooding the internet with submissions for this contest. We’ve been scouring YouTube for some of the good ones. These are some of our favorites. We think you’ll land upon some solid independent music to follow for an extended period of time.

Jordan Morton – “For My Father”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFst-_QR8V4[/youtube]

Have you ever run into a folk singer that plays double bass? We haven’t. The contrast in voice and bass (hopefully this isn’t becoming redundant) is alluring. The emphatic bass tones provide a strong tone to go with the passionate lyrics. Morton’s voice isn’t what you might think, but it is beautiful all the same. She is able to make both elements of the song dance, changing rhythms with ease.

Lily Virginia – “Long Time”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9aE4vHB-IM&spfreload=1[/youtube]

Lily is whimsical both in her set up for this contest and in her sound. The song is smooth. The percussion is soft yet intricate – we even hear some chimes, if you could call them that. At its core though, “Long Time” is a simple love song. If this submission is any indication, Virginia’s less is more songwriting approach is all she needs to draw one into her story.

Chargaux ft Soft Glass – “The Lone Ranger”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5gp0PKQlic[/youtube]

This interesting piece consists of two violinists and their friend Soft Glass, running some samples to compliment melodies that form the meat of the song. The mix is raw and unpolished, but this adds to the appeal. Not every entrant has the budget to make a well produced Tiny Desk submission and this is evidence that the glossiest performance may not win. This is quite groovy, though. I’d pay to see this wherever it is.

Oshwa – “Genie”

Jazzy vocals back this art pop band from the Chicago area. The keyboard intro is on point and unlike anything I’ve heard recently. The song bounces between a throwback vibe and an ethereal look forward. Shout out to the bass player for playing some seriously tasty licks. It is not too often you see a bass player working harder than the lead guitar player in a given moment. Something tells me these folks would be a blast to hang out with, as well.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwIMzSoM3ZM[/youtube]

Son Step – “Steam Team”

I first heard of this band in the context of one of my favorite music hangouts, Brothers Drake Meadery. While I didn’t make it out to the show, you bet I checked out the band’s Tiny Desk submission. Experimental jazz is the name of the game in this particular piece. The vocals are not the forefront, but just another instrument. I feel like Red in The Shawshank Redemption when he says the words don’t matter – although this certainly isn’t opera. Elements of post rock come through here as well, mainly in the synth. Genre fusion is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZI4HOehocA[/youtube]

 

 

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