Tiny Desk local listening party: The Neighborhood Kids and Aleah Discavage

What started as a low-key folk set behind a desk in a newsroom has become one of music's most iconic stages. This year, NPR's Tiny Desk Contest drew a record-breaking nearly 7,500 entries. Among them were 75 hopefuls from San Diego, all dreaming of a breakthrough moment.

In this episode, we spotlight two rising artists who stood out for their originality and emotional depth: Aleah Discavage, whose raw, autobiographical ballad is rooted in personal healing, and The Neighborhood Kids, who turned protest and passion into a high-voltage performance.

Watch: Aleah Discavage's NPR Tiny Desk Contest entry "runaways"

Watch: The Neighborhood Kids' NPR Tiny Desk Contest entry "BIDDI BOMB x HUSH"

Plus, we'll unpack the fascinating origin story of Tiny Desk, explore why this unconventional contest continues to resonate with artists and fans alike and hear what drives these musicians to keep creating — even when the stage is small and the odds are long.

Guests:

• Aleah Discavage
• Verde and Amon the MC of The Neighborhood Kids

Tiny Desk Concerts mentioned in this episode:

• Ruby Ibarra
• Laura Gibson
• Adele 
• Yo-Yo Ma
• The National
• T-Pain
• Mac Miller
• Dua Lipa
• Anderson .Paak
• Fantastic Negrito
• Naia Izumi
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