The Tiny Desk Contest: What It Tells Us About the Power of Intimacy in Music The Tiny Desk Contest has become an unlikely staple of the music industry.
Born from humble origins as a web series on NPR's website, it shines a light on the art of performance and its most potent companion: intimacy.
Musicians are given just one chance to capture audiences' hearts with their performances at Bob Boilen's miniature desk. The contest began with a small number of entries each year but grew exponentially over time.