The Search Begins
In 2019, for the fifth consecutive year, NPR held their "Tiny Desk Contest". The competition is a search to find the "next great undiscovered musician" who will come to NPR's Washington D.C. headquarters to play a Tiny Desk concert and go on tour with NPR Music.
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest Announcement (2019-03-12) by NPR Music88Nine Radio Milwaukee
The trailer NPR released announcing the return of the contest.
Milwaukee Steps Up
Realizing the technical challenges local Milwaukee artists may face in submitting their own performances to NPR, Radio Milwaukee stepped up to help. Providing a sound engineer, videographers, and of course a desk, 10 artists were filmed on March 30, 2019. Each session lasted around 30 minutes and consisted of two takes.
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Ms. Lotus Fankh (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Milwaukee singer, songwriter, and performance artist singing her anthemic song, "Stay As You Are".
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Saebra & Carlyle (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Cinematic, "apocalyptic western" group Saebra & Carlyle performing "Wandering Hand"
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Matthew Davies (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Milwaukee singer-songwriter Matthew Davies performing rustic folk, album opener, "On the Borderline" from his 2019 LP "Flowers and Ticket Stubs".
Video Producers Laura Dyan Kezman and Vianca Fuster (2019-03-30) by Lee Matz88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Each performance was filmed across two cameras operated by video producers Vianca Fuster (left) and Laura Dyan Kezman (right).
Photo © Lee Matz, milwaukeeindependent.com
Sound Engineer, Lodi Broekhuizen (2019-03-30) by Lee Matz88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Moreover, each performance was mixed live by sound engineer, Lodi Broekhuizen.
Photo © Lee Matz, milwaukeeindependent.com
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Camb (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Hip-hop artist Camb performing his 2019 single, "Stay Down".
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Lauryl Sulfate & Her Ladies of Leisure (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Milwaukee dance pop trio performing "Hard Candy" from their 2019 album, "Dance Music Saves Lives".
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Zed Kenzo (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Milwaukee rapper, singer, and producer performing her 2019 single, "Go Psycho".
Zed Kenzo's Tiny Desk Shoot (2019-03-30) by Lee Matz88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Performances were a diverse blend of genres and voices. Pictured is rapper, singer, and producer, Zed Kenzo.
Photo © Lee Matz, milwaukeeindependent.com
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Neidhoefer (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Cinematic indie folk group Neifhoefer performing "Lui/Moi" from their 2019 album "Time & Place".
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Klassik (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Milwaukee rapper, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Klassik performing "LONE RANGER" from his 2019 "Quiet" LP.
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Fox Face (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Riot grrl inspired punk band Fox Face performing "End of Man".
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest - Father Sky (2019-03-30) by Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, and Lodi Broekhuizen88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Milwaukee pianist, singer, and composer showcasing his bluesy-gospel sound through a performance of "Gonna Find Home" from his 2017 self-titled album.
Milwaukee's Tiny Desk Connection
Out of over 6000 entries, Anchorage, Alaska's Quinn Christopherson was selected as the winner of the contest. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 88Nine was unable to provide the same platform for artists but still managed to stay connected to the contest. Evening host and digital manager, Tarik Moody, of Radio Milwaukee was a member of the 2020 Tiny Desk Contest judging panel and co-hosted episode five of the contest's "Top Shelf" series with Tiny Desk creator, Bob Boilen.
88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Laura Dyan Kezman, Vianca Fuster, Lodi Broekhuizen - Performance Videos
Lee Matz - Milwaukee Independent Photos
Erin Bagatta & Justin Barney - Miscellaneous Photos
