Thousands of musicians from across the country are waiting to see whether they’ll get to perform on one of the biggest stages in music media today.
That’s because NPR is currently judging entries for the annual “Tiny Desk Contest,” which provides an unsigned artist with the opportunity to record one of the namesake shows — and get all the exposure that comes with it.
Nearly 40 artists from Vermont submitted entries this year, and we’ve chosen a few to share with you in the lead-up to NPR announcing a winner.
We'll hear from folk singer-songwriter Sarah Bell and hardcore rockers Miles of Fire.
Sarah Bell
Who: Sarah Bell is a mom and folk singer/songwriter, based in Worcester, Vermont.
What: Bell's original compositions blend blues and folk with lyrics leaning into empowerment.
Fun fact: When Sarah isn't making music, she has a healing studio in Montpelier and studies Reiki and other restorative practices.
Watch Sarah Bell's entry to the Tiny Desk Contest here.
Miles of Fire
Who: Tyler Gurwicz (vocals), TJ Maynard (bass), Javin Leonard (guitar), William Molleur (drums), Matt Roy (guitar)
What: Miles of Fire has been together about a year, playing what they call, "weird, artsy, metallic hardcore." Their song, "Repeater" is an outlier in their repertoire. They perform it as a stripped-down ballad for their Tiny Desk Contest submission.
Fun fact: The band members were so packed into a room to record their NPR Tiny Desk Contest submission that when lead singer Tyler leaned back to belt out a note, he muted Matt Roy’s guitar strings. (That take didn’t make it in the video.)
