NPR\u2019s Tiny Desk concert series has racked up millions of views on Youtube. Featuring a wide range of artists from indie favorites to pop megastars, all playing behind a literal desk at the NPR headquarters.<\/p>\n
Twelve years ago NPR started the Tiny Desk Contest where unsigned artists across the country enter a video of their original music for a chance to play a Tiny Desk Concert of their own in Washington D.C.<\/p>\n
Two years ago Sacramento\u2019s The Philharmonik<\/a> won the top prize and this year close to a thousand Northern California artists threw their hat into the ring.<\/p>\n NPR is expected to announce their 2026 winner soon but while we wait for the results, CapRadio wanted to highlight some of our favorite local entries!<\/p>\n \u201cquestions\u201d (feat. Jayda Irene & WIDDA K) by Jakhari Smith – Sacramento<\/p>\n This one tells a story not only through the lyrics, but through the video. That\u2019s what I love about hip-hop is the storytelling, lyrics and emotions it conveys and Jakhari Smith did an excellent job of conveying that. Also the poem at the end. I love the creative choice of having a poem that speaks about not being comfortable in your own skin and questioning if you’re even good enough, but in the same breath realizing that you need to love yourself. I think it makes the song that much more emotional. \u201cSister\u201d by The Willow Snags – Sacramento<\/p>\n \u201cSister\u201d is raw and sounds like it could be on the soundtrack of an old Western film. I can\u2019t stop listening to this song because of the sound, the presentation and the lyrics are catchy.\u00a0<\/p>\n I love live instruments, especially the harmonica. I also enjoyed hearing all of the instruments solo towards the end of the song. That was a nice touch. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIWTS\u201d by KIO DALY – Elk Grove<\/p>\n Ok, first off the presentation is really good. I love the lighting, flowers, guitars and the tiny desk figure at the beginning of the song. If there was one word to describe this submission, it would be \u201csmooth.\u201d You can listen to Kio Daly on Apple<\/a>, Spotify<\/a> and Youtube<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDEAD OF NIGHT!\u201d by Sahed. – Redding<\/p>\n Love everything about this submission! First, the song is called \u201cDEAD OF NIGHT!\u201d and in the video you can clearly see that it was shot at night.\u00a0<\/p>\n Second, I love the presentation and the camera work showcasing everyone in the room. And finally, I really enjoy the song. It\u2019s really catchy and shahed. does a wonderful job showcasing her vocals. Communities Reporter Ruth Finch<\/a>\u2019s Picks<\/p>\n \u201cRed Tail\u201d by Turtle Pheasant – West Sacramento\u00a0<\/p>\n Closing my eyes, I wouldn\u2019t think that the video accompanying this music is\u00a0 of a trio of strings surrounding a duck statue.<\/p>\n The lead singer, Jeremy Decarvalho, has a voice so tender it could break, but it never does.<\/p>\n It feels like I’m laying in a field, wind in my hair. It feels quiet and levitating at the same time, like a dandelion floating and twirling in the wind. Or maybe blades of grass swaying as a bird flies by. Or maybe something else we don\u2019t have words for yet in the English language.<\/p>\n I try not to get sappy about this kind of thing, but this one got me.\u00a0<\/p>\n I truly feel like I\u2019ve discovered something that no one else has \u2014 so much so that I can\u2019t even find any recording of their music anywhere else, or even social media, just this lonely Youtube video. Turtle Pheasant, please put more stuff out!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n \u201cHOMETOWN\u201d by sol caracol – Sacramento\u00a0<\/p>\n Lush instrumentals and lusher lyrics welcome you into sol caracol\u2019s HOMETOWN. It builds tension the way a new relationship does, butterflies building as the song explores the singer\u2019s hometown as something new with a new, tender love.<\/p>\n The mix of strings, swirling synths and guitars, even a crooning trumpet make you feel transported to a world of romantic nostalgia in a way that will accompany my drives all summer.<\/p>\n You can find them on Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Apple Music<\/a> and Spotify<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFriends\u201d by Odilon – Lodi – Rock<\/p>\n WARNING! After you listen to this submission by Lodi band Odilon, you\u2019re going to be their friend \u2014 and that\u2019s not a bad thing. I think the lead singers’ friends are cooler than whoever the song is addressed to.<\/p>\n This song deals with frustration in a way that pays off for what feels to me like a soaring acceptance on the bridge as the song winds down to a close. See you for soft tacos later!<\/p>\n You can find them on Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0 Spotify<\/a> and Soundcloud<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cReturn to Sender\u201d by KC Shane & The Belonging – Sacramento<\/p>\n This retro psychedelic rock track from KC Shane & the Belonging absolutely rips. Complete with synths and even a saxophone, the band teleports you to a plane of acceptance and understanding.<\/p>\n The lyrics urge you to let go of people who don\u2019t accept you, and remind you that there are people who will accept you all around. There\u2019s also absolutely shredding guitar solos all around, so that\u2019s pretty sweet too.<\/p>\n You can find KC Shane & The Belonging on Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Apple Music<\/a>, Soundcloud<\/a> and Bandcamp<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The song features Jayda Irene and WIDDA K who did an excellent job of adding to those emotions. The song and video to me is a therapy session of Smith laying out all of his pain through rap. I love it. <\/p>\n
You can listen to Jahkari Smith\u00a0 on Apple<\/a>, Spotify<\/a> and Youtube<\/a>.<\/p>\n
You can listen to The Willow Snags on Apple<\/a>, Spotify<\/a> and Youtube<\/a>.<\/p>\n
This is a lovely song with a lovely voice to go with it. One thing that I love about this submission is that it looks like a couple of guys got together and performed in someone’s living room for the love of the game.
You can tell it\u2019s a guy\u2019s day by the Modelo\u2019s by some of the musicians’ feet. I also love the message behind the song saying \u201cI want you to stay,\u201d which hits home for me.<\/p>\n
This is the type of song I could listen to everyday. This is my introduction to the artist and I can confidently say that the song made me a fan.
You can listen to sahed. on Apple<\/a>, Spotify<\/a> and Youtube<\/a>.<\/p>\n