If you’re a music lover, chances are you’ve fallen down a Tiny Desk rabbit hole at least once in your life (or more likely… many, many times). NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series has become one of the most respected live platforms out there, giving artists the chance to strip things back and showcase their talent. 🎤 📚
Every year, the Tiny Desk opens the door for emerging artists to shoot their shot. This time around, a handful of Symphonic artists stepped up to the desk and delivered, so we’re spotlighting a few of their submissions below. Check them out and spread the love…
A Look at This Year’s Tiny Desk Submissions from Symphonic Artists
Justin Garner – “The Icing”
Justin Garner is an independent R&B artist from Louisiana whose powerful vocals are rooted in the Baptist church where he first began singing. After gaining early traction through YouTube covers and original releases, he steadily built a global audience drawn to his smooth tone and honest songwriting. His Tiny Desk submission of “The Icing” keeps things stripped back, highlighting the classic R&B influences that continue to shape his sound.
🎶 Discover more music from Justin Garner on Spotify…
beccs – “So Unsettled”
beccs is a Brooklyn-based indie pop artist known for blending raw emotional storytelling with dynamic, expressive vocals. Her music moves between playful modern pop and thoughtful vulnerability, drawing attention for its honesty and depth. For her Tiny Desk submission of “So Unsettled,” she brings that same candid energy to the performance, showcasing a sound shaped by her creative instincts and personal perspective. With a growing body of work that resonates with listeners and a voice that stands out in indie pop, beccs continues to carve her own path in the music world.
🎶 Discover more music from beccs on Spotify…
JAVARR – “Life Thang (Werking)”
JAVARR is a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter whose sound pulls from late ’90s and early 2000s R&B, blended with modern pop and hip-hop influences. Known for his dynamic vocal range and effortless falsetto, he brings both nostalgia and freshness to his music. For his Tiny Desk submission of “Life Thang (Werking),” JAVARR debuted the track live for the first time alongside his band, creating his own take on the Tiny Desk format with an abstract, art-inspired set filled with greenery and sculptural elements. The result is a bold introduction to an artist unafraid to experiment and make the moment his own.
🎶 Discover more music from JAVARR on Spotify…
Cas Weinbren – “Touch” (Dia Nueva Tiny Desk Submission)
Cas Weinbren, also known as Caskeyboardproducer and cofounder of See See Beats, is a classically and jazz-trained keyboardist, composer, and multi-genre producer with millions of streams across his work. An award-winning songwriter and creative technologist, Cas has collaborated across pop, hip-hop, R&B, gospel, and country, with credits ranging from Disney+’s Zombies 3 to projects alongside artists like Statik Selektah and Joey Bada$$. For Dia Nueva’s Tiny Desk submission of “Touch,” Cas served as keyboardist and musical director, helping shape the live arrangement and overall performance. His versatility and musical leadership continue to make him a sought-after collaborator across genres.
🎶 Discover more music from See See Beats on Spotify…
Nar Cabico – “UNWRITTEN”
Nar Cabico is a Filipino singer and actor who first gained national recognition as the grand champion of GMA Network’s Superstar Duets. Known for his theatrical background and expressive vocal style, he’s built a strong following in the Philippines and continues to grow his audience internationally. For his Tiny Desk submission of “UNWRITTEN,” Cabico leans into that emotional delivery, showcasing the powerful performance style that’s made him a standout both on stage and on screen.
🎶 Discover more from Nar Cabico on his Instagram…
House Of I – “I’ve Said Enough”
House of I is a Miami-founded rock band known for bringing progressive melodies and layered song structures back into accessible rock music. Since forming in 2011, they’ve blended psychedelic textures with introspective songwriting, building a reputation for dynamic, high-energy performances. Their Tiny Desk submission of “I’ve Said Enough” highlights not only their musical depth but also their personal connection to the song’s message. Coming from families with Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican roots, the band uses the track to speak to the treatment of immigrants and the broader social climate, grounding the performance in both cultural pride and lived experience.
🎶 Discover more music from House Of I on Spotify…
POLITKS – “HEADSPACE”
POLITKS is an indie-rock project blending art-rock intensity with cinematic storytelling and sharp emotional precision. Often compared to bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Wolf Alice, the project explores themes of awakening, desire, and transformation through bold lyricism and magnetic performances. For the Tiny Desk submission of “HEADSPACE,” POLITKS reimagines a full-band track as a solo acoustic performance, stripping it back to highlight the strength of the songwriting and the quiet power of a single voice.
🎶 Discover more music from POLITKS on Spotify…
