Essentials

Meet Naia Izumi, The 2018 Tiny Desk Contest Winner

Naia Izumi is the winner of the 2018 Tiny Desk Contest. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Meet Naia Izumi, The 2018 Tiny Desk Contest Winner

April 24, 2018 • The fourth annual Tiny Desk Contest winner has been revealed. Get to know the Georgia-hailing guitarist who won over the hearts of our judges this year.

Hear the interview 6:05

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Articles

In-depth stories, artist profiles and music lists

New Mix: Beach House, Tank And The Bangas, Stevie Wolf, More

Clockwise from upper left: Stevie Wolf, Beach House, Tank And The Bangas, Rafiq Bhatia Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

New Mix: Beach House, Tank And The Bangas, Stevie Wolf

This week's mix of essential new songs includes this year's Tiny Desk Contest winner, the mind-blowing guitarist Rafiq Bhatia of the band Son Lux, passionate rock from Welles and more.

Bob Dorough, Jazz Musician Best Known For 'Schoolhouse Rock!,' Dead At 94

Bob Dorough performing at Joe's Pub in New York on March 9, 2014. Kevin Yatarola/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Yatarola/Getty Images

Bob Dorough, Jazz Musician Best Known For 'Schoolhouse Rock!,' Dead At 94

Dorough spent two decades as a jazz player, singer, conductor and arranger in New York before being approached, at his advertising day job, to explain math to children via music.

Edible Oddities: David Bowie-Inspired Menus Reflect His Many Personas

From left: Aladdin Sane, Thin White Duke, Ziggy Stardust, Major Tom, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and Halloween Jack are Bowie-inspired cocktails made by BKW by Brooklyn Winery. Shelby Hearn/BKW by Brooklyn Winery hide caption

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Shelby Hearn/BKW by Brooklyn Winery

Edible Oddities: David Bowie-Inspired Menus Reflect His Many Personas

Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke are just two of the characters David Bowie created for himself. The innovator explored music and identity, and his art exhibition inspires chefs and mixologists.

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Songs We Love

Handpicked by NPR Music staff and public radio hosts

Lets' Drink 'Passion Fruit Tea' With Retirement Party

Retirement Party's Somewhat Literate comes out May 25. Sarah Beidatsch/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sarah Beidatsch/Courtesy of the artist

Retirement Party, 'Passion Fruit Tea'

Ibarionex Perello

Picked by David Anthony

The first single from the Chicago emo band's debut album, Somewhat Literate, bubbles with big hooks, classic rock solos and pending adulthood.

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The Record Company's 'Life To Fix' Takes Off Like A Jet Engine

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Jen Rosenstein/Courtesy of the artist

The Record Company, 'Life To Fix'

XPN

Joe del Tufo

Picked by Bruce Warren

This has got seventh-inning stretch stadium rock anthem written all over it.

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Songs We Love: Monsieur Periné, 'Bailar Contigo'

Colombian band Monsieur Periné continues to fascinate with new single. Alejandra Quintero/Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Alejandra Quintero/Courtesy of the Artist

Monsieur Periné, 'Bailar Contigo'

Joe Henson/

Picked by Marisa Arbona-Ruiz

New single from upcoming album is more French-inspired swing-jazz, coupled with a Colombian tropical flair.

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More songs

First Listen

Hear upcoming albums in their entirety

Willie Nelson

Last Man Standing

The country music legend is still writing and recording original material at age 84. His latest stresses good cheer in the face of hard times.

33:50

Half Waif

Lavender

Lavender shows Nandi Rose Plunkett coming to terms with the reality that pain is often an important intermediary to wisdom.

38:51

First Listen: Okkervil River, 'In The Rainbow Rain'

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Okkervil River

In The Rainbow Rain

On his band's new album, Will Sheff views crises and crucibles as opportunities to appreciate life's gifts.

48:47

Speedy Ortiz

Twerp Verse

Twerp Verse shows Sadie Dupuis and her band at their most pointed and fearless.

35:34

Liz Brasher

Outcast

Stream the debut EP by one of our favorite new artists of 2018.

18:27

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Videos

Watch live concerts, studio sessions and music documentaries

Logan Richardson performs a Tiny Desk Concert on March 2, 2018 (Eslah Attar/NPR). Eslah Attar/NPR hide caption

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Eslah Attar/NPR

Tiny Desk

Logan Richardson: Tiny Desk Concert

by Suraya Mohamed

April 23, 2018 • Hear a triumphant fusion of jazz, rock and blues that moves with momentum and fresh anticipation. Logan Richardson plays with a lyrical intensity that is both focused and free.

Watch the video

John Moreland performs a Tiny Desk Concert on March 27, 2018 (Morgan Noelle Smith/NPR). Morgan Noelle Smith/NPR hide caption

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Morgan Noelle Smith/NPR

Tiny Desk

John Moreland: Tiny Desk Concert

by Bob Boilen

April 20, 2018 • When you hear John Moreland's sweet voice, it's hard to believe he spent years singing in punk, metal-core and hardcore bands. He plays acoustic guitar now, but his songs are still full of passion.

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OC performs a Tiny Desk Concert on March 28, 2018 (Eslah Attar/NPR). Eslah Attar/NPR hide caption

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Eslah Attar/NPR

Tiny Desk

O.C.: Tiny Desk Concert

by Abby O'Neill

April 18, 2018 • The veteran Brooklyn rapper was an underground star during hip-hop's golden era. At the Tiny Desk, O.C. made it clear that he hasn't lost his edge.

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Video Series

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Rock

All Songs 24/7

A mix of old favorites and new music from NPR's All Songs Considered.

The Current

New music and the music that inspired it, from local to legendary. From Minnesota Public Radio.

Eclectic24

KCRW's 24/7 music channel, curated by Morning Becomes Eclectic.

KEXP

Dedicated to music and discovery, from indie rock to Afropop.

opbmusic.org

Portland's mix of Pacific Northwest artists and the best new music.

WFUV

New York City's premier public radio music station.

WXPN

Philadelphia's top music source, and producer of World Cafe.

R&B

I'll Take You There

Everything from early doo-wop to contemporary slow jams, hosted by Jason King.

Classical

WQXR

New York's world-renowned classical music station.

New Sounds

Weird and wonderful music from artists, composers and traditional musicians.

Classical MPR

Minnesota Public Radio's classical music channel.

Jazz

Jazz24

From the classics to today's best, spiced with blues, funk and Latin.

WBGO

The jazz source for more than 30 years, and co-presenter of Jazz Night In America.

Latin

Alt.Latino Radio

Hosted by Felix Contreras and Jasmine Garsd, NPR's Alt.Latino spins Latin rock, hip-hop and psychedelic cumbia.

Folk

Folk Alley

Bringing you the best in folk music since 2003, presented by WKSU.

ThistleRadio

A Celtic roots music channel, brought to you by The Thistle & Shamrock.

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All Songs Considered

Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton spin new music from emerging bands and musical icons.

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Frank Chimero/NPR

Alt.Latino

Latino arts and culture explained with music and conversation, presented by Felix Contreras.

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Fresh Air Interviews

Terry Gross interviews luminary artists about their lives and musical work

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From The Top

NPR Music presents From The Top program highlights. For the complete From The Top program website, visit www.fromthetop.org.

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NPR

Jazz Night

Jazz Night In America is a public radio program, a video concert documentary series, and an online home for the music, from NPR Music, WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

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Frank Chimero/NPR

Mountain Stage

Live recordings from the award-winning public radio program, hosted by Larry Groce.

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Frank Chimero/NPR

Piano Jazz

Each week, NPR's award-winning program showcases both acclaimed artists and up-and-coming performers as they share music and memories.

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The Thistle & Shamrock

Award-winning radio host Fiona Ritchie explores evolving music from Celtic roots in Europe and North America.

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Frank Chimero/NPR

World Cafe

WXPN in Philadelphia and host Talia Schlanger present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

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Willie Nelson

Last Man Standing

Half Waif

Lavender

Okkervil River

In The Rainbow Rain

Speedy Ortiz

Twerp Verse

Liz Brasher

Outcast

Most Popular

Rock

All Songs 24/7

The Current

Eclectic24

KEXP

opbmusic.org

WFUV

WXPN

R&B

I'll Take You There

Classical

WQXR

New Sounds

Classical MPR

Jazz

Jazz24

WBGO

Latin

Alt.Latino Radio

Folk

Folk Alley

ThistleRadio