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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- Bob Boilen | May 31, 2022
It surely was a day of joyful tears. And those joyful tears for Alisa Amador, the winner of the 2022 Tiny Desk Contest, came at a time when she had been considering putting her music career on hold. For the staff of NPR and the Tiny Desk crew, it was our first Tiny Desk concert with an audience in over 800 days, and Alisa’s captivating music surely intensified our spinning emotions.
Alisa Amador opened with her Contest-winning entry “Milonga accidental,” a song about embracing your contradictions. It’s a song that our judges - iLe, Big Krit, Michelle Zauner (of Japanese Breakfast), Raveena, Nate Chinen (of member station WBGO), Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter and I - all found to be so filled with passion. I often fall for a song because of the lyrics, and this is the first Tiny Desk Contest winner whose winning song is in Spanish. Despite the fact that I don’t speak Spanish, I felt the conflict, the yearning and the song's questioning.
Alisa grew up in Boston, Maine, Puerto Rico and Argentina, and was raised by Rosi and Brian Amador, her Latin-folk musician parents who play in the band Sol y Canto; they were also in attendance. She’s been singing since she was four, and has been entering the Tiny Desk Contest every year since 2018. In fact, the song “Together,” which closes this concert, was an astonishing entry from 2020. For COVID safety, we limited the audience to a small group of masked NPR employees, yet the sing-along for the closing track was still powerful.
Alisa also set her winning song to a lovely string arrangement performed by a Washington D.C. quartet and rehearsed for the first time just hours before the performance. The arrangements were originally done by Jamie Oshima after a recording session a few years back, and then Alisa’s friend Noah Fishman transcribed the arrangement. For the next three songs, she’s joined by Jamie Oshima (guitar, keys), Noah Harrington (bass) and Jacob Thompson (drums, keys).
“When will I know how to decipher my purpose? / When will I feel at home in my voice?” As Alisa sings those words to her winning entry in Spanish at the Tiny Desk, I’m thinking: Perhaps that moment is now.
SET LIST
“Milonga accidental”
“Timing”
“Slow Down”
“Together”
MUSICIANS
Alisa Amador: vocals, guitar
Jamie Oshima: guitar, keys
Noah Harrington: bass
Jacob Thompson: drums, keys
Kristin Bakkegard: violin
Nick Montopoli: violin
Paul Bagley: viola
Carol Anne Bosco: cello
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame, Lia Crockett, Elle Mannion
Audio Recording & Mix Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Editor: Joshua Bryant
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Alanté Serene, Estefania Mitre
Production Assistant: Jill Britton
Tiny Desk Team: Michael Zamora, Ashley Pointer, Dwi Partowardojo, Bill Wright, Stacey Foxwell, Maia Stern, Suraya Mohamed
Tiny Desk Contest Team: Jessica Goldstein, Devon Williams
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #tinydeskcontest #alisaamador
Want to play your own Tiny Desk concert? Unsigned musicians, enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Learn more: npr.org/tinydeskcontest.
I staged-managed her set at Sisters Folk Fest in Central Oregon. Yes, she is as gracious and warm and bright in person as she comes off on stage. All sincerity, good-will, earnestness and intelligence. The most memorable of all of the acts last year for me; inspiring.
I spent my summers as a kid in sisters, I wish I could make it this year
@@feralmode well, me for one.
I'd be disappointed if she were a bitter sourpuss like, well ...you?
@@feralmode wow…
@@feralmode you didn’t have to read that or comment…
@@feralmode maybe no one gives a toss about your views. Ever consider that? Especially when they are invalidating someone else's.
The deeper issue is why would you like someone more for being antisocial or difficult...me thinks there's some hard core childhood core wounds that need addressing, way over commenting your narcissistic tinged vom.
She did my college interview. Huge part of the reason I went to Bates. So happy to see her doing well
One of the best things about being a hobbyist musician in my mid-twenties is seeing my musician and artist friends grow, blossom, and succeed. I have known the bassist, Noah Harrington, since we were kids, and have loved seeing all of his projects and bands through the years. The first time I saw him play with Alisa, I was struck by her incredible presence and purpose and the messages behind all of her songs, and I have loved going to her shows ever since. I instantly felt that she was someone who deserves to make it big, and I am so excited to see her on what is arguably the biggest (tiny) digital stage in the world.
Thank you so much Isaiah :')
El doble de amigos
Oh man I missed that audio engineering so much. Also holy cow what a performance! Alisa Amador, what a voice, what a talent, what a songwriter!
The sound production on this is so crisp and warm
For me Alisa Amador is one of the best of her generation. Or any one. She is an excellent composer and guitarrist and a brilliant singer. Also, a bright, beautiful and lovely person. And this recognition is like winning a Grammy nomination. Or maybe more important. Congratulacions, my dear and lovely Alisa.
Powerful , beautiful music. So refreshing.
I’m just happy, that there are people like her still using full bands, instead of just a multi instrumentalist, doing it all digitally, and/or with loops.
@@CorbCorbin bad attitude
WOW what a way to bring back THE desk. Beautiful vocals, stellar musicianship, well crafted tunes and lyrics. Alisa is someone I'll want to hear from again. Congratulations Alisa! And maybe it's just me but did anyone else think of tinydesk alum lake street dive while listening to "Timing"
I searched the comment to see if anyone thought the same haha. Her voice on "Timing" also really reminds me of Rachel Price's !
@@97Yaza79 This, absolutely.
Definitely can hear the similarity to Lake Street!
Loved this presentation by Alisa. What a warm loving feeling she inspires!! Please invite her again. Much love to all from Puerto Rico. ¡Gracias!! ❤
GO, ALISA, GO!!!
What an artist for the comeback at the desk!!!
I saw Alisa over 10 years ago play a few songs in a park in Boston with her parents. Immediately knew I heard something special. She’s the real deal and I wish her continued success!
Definitely in the tear zone, I'm so excited to see the full Tiny Desk experience again. Absolutely wonderful Alisa!
Incredible vocal range and gorgeous timbre(s) combined with excellent, multi-genre songwriting -- to call this lady a rare talent would be an understatement!
Arriving on the scene last year fully realized, as if Sam Beam opened up to the world with Endless Summer Days, Alisa completely slayed and healed us all at once last night in Charleston. A star was born 27 years ago!
i’ve never heard of her and i’m so glad I clicked on this video. I started tearing up during her final speech and song, so powerful and emotional. absolutely adored this
Everything you said, yes!
I clicked bc we have the same name and I don’t see come across anyone with my name. But wow. She’s amazing! Her voice is sooo soothing…
I found myself tearing up during the throughout, too, from the first acknowledgment of how honored she felt, to the beauty of her voice and indelible positivity, to the same concluding speech and song. Yes, yes, and yes.
Bursting with talent. What a great return to Tiny Desk.
she got me crying by introducing her band! wow, she radiates joy and warmth and can SIIIING, fantastic music, even better energy.
Her gentleness and softness reflects greatly in her music, it's truly beautiful. And her band is amazing. Can't wait to see what other music they share with us!
Her virtual choir version of "Together" is one of the pieces of art that got me through the worst of the pandemic. To see the evolution now in this space is just beautiful, and gives me so much hope. So very glad she won this year!
SO good to have actual TDCs back - please bring all of them back in, so much better than 'from home'. OG!
The look on someone's face as everything comes together perfectly really warms my heart
Just saw her live in Austin. Wow. Not to be missed! ❤
Just saw her live for the 1st time tonight at The Word Barn in Exeter, NH & she was amazing!!! Plus got to chat with her for a few moments after the show. Catch her on tour if U can. Alisa is one to watch.
Shouts out to Noah Harrington on bass! Crushing it. Beautiful performance, so glad the desk is back
What a beautiful soul.
I had no idea who you were, but then Timing came on, I've heard that in my daily Spotify mixes about a thousand times! Your personality is so pure.
Alisa, tienes una hermosa voz y una bella sonrisa. Una suerte poder disfrutar de tu música.
"Recoges del aire fresco
el color de la alegría,
y prendido lo has puesto
cuajadito de florecillas
en precioso arabesco."
Saludos desde Sevilla, España
Wow, loving this! Second song is giving me Lake Street Dive vibes. Big fan!
Yes was looking for this comment!
Same.
Thought the exact same thing!
I can definitely see it. And a little Sara Bareiles on song three.
Brand new favorite artist!!! I know she will never see this, but Alisa, you truly are a musician’s musician! Never have I ever felt so immediately inspired and compelled to continue pursuing music quite like seeing this performance. Can’t wait to see her career and art blossom into something even greater.
I know her and she will read your comments. Thank you.
One of the best Tiny Desk I've ever seen, now im an Alisa's Fan!
This girl rocks .. following her everywhere
Couldn't be more happy for Alisa to have this opportunity! The whole band sounded so amazing! She has such a gift for connecting and making you feel like she's speaking directly to you, heart to heart. ❤❤❤ So important to have music like this in the world.
Pure magic, joy & love.
A beautiful return to the desk. I'm so happy she won.
Knowing you grow up full of love and music at home in Boston when I was playing with your parents Rosi and Brian, and then seeing this amazing performance of you, one of the best Tiny Desk Concerts, make me feel so happy and inspired. Buen trabajo mi niña. Tu presente es hermoso y tu futuro sera simplemente maravilloso. Gracias!! Saludos desde California!
If you have pain in your hearts, I hope these beautiful songs bring you comfort. I know it did for me.
She's so sweet and pleasant. How refreshing.
She is just a sweetheart,,, she has a wonderful voice and a gracious genuine heart to match her lovely voice, not to mention she's cute as a button, but mostly her songs are amazing.
This is everything I truly love about Tiny Desk. An awesome artist having fun 🤩 and sharing her gift with people from around the world.
Lots of love from Australia
saw her live once and i can’t even describe the amount of soul that goes into her performance, such an amazing artist, so well deserved
Tiny Desk is finally back I’m cryin y’all mean so much to the community we’ve missed you this couldn’t have been a better return.
Seriously, I’m not sure if I’m crying more from this ethereal “together” refrain or that it took place behind the desk. Some tears are worth it.
So good. Her writing and singing connects in a special way. Many thanks to NPR for lifting her music up to a broader audience. Eager to see Alisa and her bandmates continue on their upward trajectory. The world needs more music like this.
How do you always pick the right winners. So well done. Congrats Alisa and thank you!!!
Alisa Amador is a gem - a soaring talent who spans many genres (and languages) to bring joy and inspiration to us all. ¡Gracias y buenas suerte Alisa!
Her mic banter is all time... songs are amazing, and in between the songs I kept feeling my feelings as she thanked people and was just being herself. What an incredible set, every moment.
Absolutely beautiful. So glad she won this year!
My thoughts exactly!
She is so good!! Looking forward to her tiny desk concert to premier!
The Tiny Desk concert we all needed. Amazing job to everyone involved.
I got to see Alisa Amador open for Watchhouse which I enjoyed just as much as the main performance...she's got so much talent and potential! I wish you all the best in your artistic future
Absolutely wonderful artist, amazing musicians, and sweet, sweet heart and message. I love these tiny desk performances, and Alisa and her incredible talent have given one of the best. Just about had my big, bearded self in tears, too.
Just about? I sat here and dropped a bucket of em....
the vibes of her song "Timing" are immaculate, wow
ok after watching this tiny desk, the song was even BETTER live, wow
I looked this up because I just heard her on Mountain Stage and loved her voice!
As the Brits would say, I'm gobsmacked. So wonderful, pure, girl next door.......
How refreshing.....
Wow, no wonder why she won the contest. The last song really touches my heart deeply.
Go Alisa go! What incredible music and talent radiating from her and all the other musicians up there :)
❤️
When she starts playing the guitar!!!!!! So fun and cute :D
The joy that comes with seeing this great sound engineering and four camera set-up back around the desk is indescribable, and with an amazing chance to discover a new talent behind it to boot! Missed this
Such a joy to see “THE”Tiny Desk again! Felicidades Alisa!
what a wonderful performance. Alisa you're fabulous and can't wait to hear new music from you.
Alisa is absolutely amazing her voice is beautiful like magic
WoW Alisa, what a talent! I kept this link apart ... to be watched as soon as possible... then I forgot it (so sorry!) ... and today I realized I had it on my computer and finally decided to listento it. You are so wonderful !! Your music, what you sing and the way you do it is really magic. I'm so proud for having had you in one of my workshops. I wish you a great musical future. You really deserve it !! Good Alisa !!! Go !!! Big hug to you ... Rosi and Brian !
Oh, she sings and is so lovely! 🥰
I really missed the exquisite sound of real Tiny Desk. I am so happy the things are coming back to normal! Yaaay!😊
Having said that, I would looove if you would invite Madrugada/Sivert Høyem (Norway), Justin Nozuka and Husky (Australia) to perform there. I need their music recorded with your sound!
Some other names I would love to see and hear are Emiliana Torrini (Iceland), How Great Were the Robins (Italy), Delta Sleep (UK),...
Pretty please with a cute bow!♥️
I'm new to it, what was it like before?
@@sonji1 Oh, I am relatively new to it, too. Someone on the internet recommended me to checkout Bedouine performing on NPR Tiny Desk (video was posted some 4 years ago). It sounded so nice I had to subscribe and check out the rest of the videos. Sooo many great performers (more or less known) and so much great music - you're in for a treat, just scroll down the list of videos. The background is characteristic, like in this video, and the sound is amazing, of course.😊
Love her, love her music. Such a humble, deserving winner. Great artist.
The desk returns!
I’m so relieved the universe opened up to you and that you didn’t throw in the towel, Alisa!
No words are adequate, quite frankly. Your music transports, heart-warms, weaves in humor, wisdom and wonder, is melodic/harmonious/pitch perfect/uplifting/wise-to-the-world, and presents a sense of endurance.
Thank you for the Milongo rhythm. I look forward to any future musical piece construct you create. I have to have to wonder….if you and Jacob Collier, two worldly and talented Vocalists and Instrumentalists were ever to collaborate….what experience might an audience have…?
Y'all always pick incredible people who are always so deserving of such an honor, but she is truly special. I wish I could have been there singing along with all the other folks in the audience. So inspiring.
It fills my heart with joy to witness how incredibly skillfull Alisa is channeling the young Carole King in 'Timing'. Of course I have no idea wether that was by accident or intended and if she or anybody else apart from myself is aware of what sounds so obvious to my ears.
To me the song could well be a hidden and long forgotten bonus track from the Tapestry album. It sounds so familiar and yet so fresh.
Thanks Alisa for carrying forward and rejuvenating the vibe of my all time favourite american singer songwriter!
Once again great artist and great production.
Tremendamente talentosa la gran Alisa!!!! Bravo desde sur-america hermana!
That string arrangement! Gorgeous!
Who is this magic lady? I have goosebumps on my soul!
Such a nice girl, with a great voice. Your whole team is very charismatic. A warm, friendly environment.
Bien hecho niña, cantas y compones muy bien. Estoy seguro que seguiremos escuchando más musica maravillosa de ti.
Alisa Amador is a breath of fresh air! Music is alive and gives life, hope, heals. Thank you NPR Tiny Desk for keeping us all connected, inspired, and hopeful. Peace Love Music
13:12 Your tribute prior to “Together” struck a chord, and then your beautiful song started with lyrics and music that will resonate with many hearts. It’s wonderful to see live music back in the studio. Thank you 🙏🏻💜
She is just amazing! I'm hearing touches of Madison Cunningham, Lake Street Dive, and Laura Marling. Really happy she won and so lucky to hear this music!
Yes! same, and Feist.
this was simply a wonderful show, very moving, congratulations to singer Alissa, her excellent musicians and the entire NPR team
Tiny Desk, you've knocked it out of the park again! Alisa is such a talent and seems like such a beautiful soul! Thank you for providing her the opportunity to share her amazing music with all of us and thank you for opening all of our eyes to this amazing artist! Can't wait to see what her next chapter will be.
Congratulations, Alisa! Celebrating you in your moment and in more moments to come. Keep being proud of where you come from and thank you for sharing your gift with the Tiny Desk community and the world.
Alisa's songs and musicianship are great - but for me. - the most impressive thing is just the force of her lovely personality. So much of our music industry is devoted to noise and hype. How really refreshing to meet an authentically beautiful person.
She put a smile on my face. Finding a hard time to recover from the Google Core Updates that affected one of my top websites. But this has brought me joy. Thanks Alisa. This is a fan all the way from Ghana 🇬🇭 , West Africa.
Still one of the best Tiny Desk I've ever heard ❤ mooves me every time, such warmth and gentleness
Yes. Authentic joy and gratitude in all of it!
Watching this brought me so much joy!!! Loved every second of it! ❤️
Hi how are you🌅
Happy new month 🌹🌹
I am in Hillsboro OR USA 🇺🇸
What about you
I think i just found out what truly music is! joyful! She’s soo lovely 💕💕
Well this entire performance just cracked me open. I started tearing up from the first note and cried right through it ...
me too
A tiny desk concert at the desk! Finally!
i just realised that Neffy, the 2021 winner, also did a concert at the desk 7 months ago !
I really love when someone sings beautiful songs behind a smile. It makes me happy at my core. Thanks.
An amazing performance by an amazing group of artists! Shout out to Noah Harrington for holding it down on bass!!!
love this!!! very much appreciate how Alisa Amador showed up as her authentic, multidimensional self - crossing genres & languages!! very inspiring in a world that wants us to "choose one"/ "stick to one thing at a time". also, love the range of contest judges - huge fan of Big Krit!!
Yes! Expressed so well. Too often people try to put others in a more "simple" (manageable) box. The complexity that many humans are, isn't fit for a box. I love all that is shown here, beautiful.
Such beauty....So needed....So necessary....A million thanks to you, Alisa. Peace and Gratitude.
Alisa is AMAZING!!!!! Cannot wait to hear more, more, more! Seeing her in LA in 2 weeks.
Que emoción! escuchándola en la radio desde San Luis Argentina!
Feliidades
Tears!! Thank you NPR for highlighting amazing musicians who are also healers...we need her light and you knew that
Yes! A proper Tiny Desk Concert! And she is amazing, everything in this video is what is right.
It took 5 seconds to hear absolute grace, astonishing!!
I didn't know her, tiene una voz preciosa y amo que sea bilingüe y cante en español e inglés!! Btw the jazzy vibes too??? I'm truly glad I found this tiny desk
Alisa, qué gusto conocerte!!! Me encantó tu milonga, un abrazo muy grande desde una de tus "casas" en Argentina! ♥
Oh my goodness. She brings a rare combination of exceptional talent, humility, grace, pure gratitude, and an almost pastoral presence. Wow. I could listen to her talk and sing all day long. Thank you Tiny Desk for introducing us to Alisa! Wow.
Wow! I'm flabergasted by the her grace and her humanity. Thank you NPR TDC for bringing her wonderful light to us.
Watching and listening to this performance felt great.