ARTHUR AND THE LIBRARIAN
Why did you choose this song for your entry? "One Last Fix" has always been a crowd favorite, so we immediately knew that it'd be a good song to put forward. We also had the idea to do something a little different with our video. By telling a story at the same time, we were able to make it more than just us playing at the desk. - Chuck Crittenden, guitar
What would be the best thing about a St. Louis act winning the Tiny Desk contest? It would be really fun to see an STL act win this contest. Hopefully it would help shine a light on the great music scene we have here!
What's been your favorite Tiny Desk concert so far and why? I'm a big fan of the Kishi Bashi concert. Watching him work his magic in such an intimate setting feels a little bit like we're being let behind the curtain.
Follow Arthur and the Librarian on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud.
See also: - Middle Class Fashion Featured on WBEZ Chicago's This American Life - Former NPR Producer Brings Three "Crazy Talented" Young French Filmmakers To STL
SHOTGUN ABBY
Why did you choose this song for your entry? We chatted as a group about what song, but this was the first song on all of our tongues. We agreed that it showed off what we love most about our music -- compelling story, harmonies and beautiful guitar riffs. - Shawn Telkamp, vocals
What would be the best thing about a St. Louis act winning the Tiny Desk contest? A St. Louis act winning would bring more interest to our scene as a whole. Frankly, we have some incredibly gifted folks making music here, and they deserve continued support on a national/International platform. When people question me about STL, our music is what I share with them first because arts are from the heart and soul of the city -- not crime stats, not XYZ factoid, but the ARTS!
What's been your favorite Tiny Desk concert so far and why? I had not previously listened to this particular program, but holy wow. Just seeing the entrants in this competition gives me so much respect for what this program does and these artists; I'm already fan-boy-ing several of these folks. In earnest, given this was our first attempt at ever recording video of Shotgun Abby, I found a new love and respect for each of my bandmates. I'd encourage all bands to go out there and do something like this.
Follow Shotgun Abby on Facebook, ReverbNation and Twitter.
AL HOLLIDAY & THE EAST SIDE RHYTHM BAND
Why did you choose this song for your entry? We chose a new song we have been working on. It definitely has a lot to do with how much I love the St. Louis community the radio station KDHX. I feel like we have had a lot happening in our community this year and it is heartbreaking, but I guess like one of our songs says, "The world is on fire and the sky won't rain - my love is strong, baby, just the same." - Al Holliday, vocals, piano, keyboard
What would be the best thing about a St. Louis act winning the Tiny Desk contest? I think that it would shine a light on STL's very genuine homegrown music community. A little national media love is always nice and we have plenty of groups here that are worthy!
What's been your favorite Tiny Desk concert so far and why? My favorite has been Preservation Hall Jazz Band. I love those guys.
Follow Al Holliday & The East Side Rhythm Band on Facebook and at alhollidaymusic.com.
And St. Louis expats couldn't stay away from the Tiny Desk Concert contest, either. Ali Ruby from the late St. Louis band Animal Empty moved to Colorado some time ago but shared her Tiny Desk video and thoughts about St. Louis with us.
ISATIS
Why did you choose this song for your entry? That was a tough one. I fully recorded and prepared a second song just in case, although I was feeling pretty set on this one. This was the first song I wrote and committed to after leaving Animal Empty, bringing me out of kind of an empty music period. I had been waiting to process some pretty big stuff that had happened and was trying to be patient with myself, and this song was sort of the breaking free of all of those feelings and new understandings. I guess this was the most bare and honest thing I had ever let out of me. - Ali Ruby, vocals, keyboard
What would be the best thing about a St. Louis act winning the Tiny Desk contest? I have found while traveling to and living in other cities that people have a pretty skewed concept of what St. Louis is. The diversity and rich culture and arts that are very much alive in St. Louis seem to have been looked over. We have some pretty kick-ass shit going on there in all forms of the creative industry. It would be nice to get some credit thrown our way, especially in light of the last six months of St. Louis happenings.
What's been your favorite Tiny Desk concert so far and why? I love most of the Tiny Desk concerts. NPR has introduced me to some of my favorite stuff. The one that always sits in the front of my brain would be the Civil Wars one, which is odd because I'm not even really a Civil Wars fan. I don't have their CDs, nor do I ever intentionally listen to them. But the way they interacted together and how their voices blended was absolutely awesome. They were so on point and connected the whole time, and her voice just seems to effortlessly flow out of her face at a stupidly beautiful level. I love every second of it.
Follow Isatis on Facebook, Bandcamp and at isatissong.com.
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