The Contest has been open for just one week now, and we already have some exciting entries to share. We saw more than 100 entries on the first day, with some Contest veterans leading the way for dozens of new entrants. In fact, our very first entry, submitted within the first minute of the Contest opening, came from Arkansas’ own Eric Gebhardt, returning for his ninth(!) year of skillful fingerpicking. Eric wasn’t the only long-time returner: Anna Portillo is also back for her ninth year, this time swapping her harp for a piano and getting creative with her interpretation of our rule about entries requiring a desk.
We also recognize sixth-year veterans Jeremy Cubert, returning with his mastery of the Grand Chapman Stick, and Drew Hayward, whose performance of “Better Left Unsaid” features not only a desk but lyrics about one as well. One of our favorite parts of the Contest is seeing artists return and grow year after year (like 2022 winner Alisa Amador, who entered five times!).
Top row left to right: Burgundee, Wendy and DB, JOURNEYGLO; bottom row left to right: Align, Johanna Marie
Some first-time entrants have reached back into history with their sound. Serene Vibration’s song “Revival” made us wonder if there’s ever been an ancient harpsicle played at the Tiny Desk before. “76,” by The Non-Renewed, channels a '70s atmosphere with its storytelling folk-rock. And Tosin & The Afrobeatable’s crisp horn solos wouldn’t have sounded out of place behind Fela Kuti.
And while we’re still in the early days of this year’s Contest, we’ve already seen great variety in your entries, even down to the instruments played — Emerson Woolf’s woodland guitar, Abbie Gardner’s gorgeous Dobro, or Radical Reversal’s violin shredding among them. You can watch all these entries and more by searching the entry browser on the Contest website. And if you’ve entered but don’t see yours there yet, don’t fret — just as crafting your entry takes time and care, so does our review process.
The 2025 Tiny Desk Contest is presented by Capital One and supported by The Lagunitas Brewing Company.
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Finally, a reminder that the Contest is open until Feb. 10. However, the sooner you enter, the higher your chances are of standing out and being featured here. If you’re an artist unsure about entering this year or a Contest fan with musical friends, consider this your gentle nudge to enter or pass along the message. You’ll be in good company.
From the Desk,
NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest team
P.S. If you’re new to this community, make sure to join our Contest Facebook group to chat with thousands of others who have been in your shoes.
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