Michigan’s varied Tiny Desk Contest 2025 submissions – Local Spins
The annual national competition presented by NPR Music has attracted entries from both established artists and emerging singer-songwriters. Watch all the video submissions at Local Spins.
Videos showcased: The 2025 Tiny Desk Contest participants.
The submission from Grand Rapids’ Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions for the NPR Tiny Desk Contest embodies the upbeat spirit of the songs and videos entered by Michigan musicians this year, setting the tone with a piece titled “Welcome to the Party.”
This year’s contest has seen a surge in participation, with over 150 entries pouring in from Michigan artists spanning the state from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit to Grand Rapids and beyond.
Among the contributors are seasoned musicians like Droppers, Annie Bacon, Laura Rain & The Caesars, The Gasoline Gypsies, Kyle Brown, Peter Madcat Ruth & C.A.R.Ma Quartet, Elizabeth Landry, Jake Stilson, Samuel Nalangira, The Blue Pines, and more.
Emerging talent is also making a mark, with artists like Traverse City’s Rebekah Jon, Detroit’s Imani Bloom, and Grand Rapids’ Candid Antics adding their unique flair to the mix.
The quirky and enjoyable challenge requires musicians and songwriters to submit a video of themselves performing a song “behind a desk of your choosing,” drawing in thousands of participants annually. The submission deadline was February 10, and the winner is yet to be announced. NPR stipulates that they are seeking undiscovered talent without current recording contracts.
The grand prize for the winner includes the opportunity to perform a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR’s headquarters in Washington D.C., feature on “All Things Considered,” go on a 10-city Tiny Desk Contest “On the Road” tour, and receive mentorship from a music industry expert.
A compilation of Michigan entries can be found on NPR Music, offering a fantastic way to delve into the diverse and thriving music scene across the state.
If you’re a Michigan-based artist who submitted a video/song for the Tiny Desk Contest and it’s not listed, simply reach out to [email protected] with your act’s YouTube link, name, and location for inclusion in the catalog.