We're not saying that Cincinnati musicians are obviously some of the best musicians in the country, but if we were, it seems like NPR Music might agree.
The outlet just shouted out two of the city's brightest while combing through their Tiny Desk Content submissions: Lauren Eylise's "Peaks and Valleys" just landed herself on NPR's Heat Check list featuring contest videos and Molly Sullivan's "Still Tryin'" just got #DeskoftheDay accolades on NPR Music's Instagram.
#DeskoftheDay is a promo in May where the music outlet celebrates the "wide range of Tiny Desk Contest entries" they received with highlights and shares on their Instagram stories.
NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest, now in its sixth year, is an offshoot of NPR’s popular Tiny Desk Concert series, for which an eclectic array of artists perform intimate sets in the network’s offices for their long-running video series.
For the contest, unsigned musical acts from across the country submitted videos and the chosen winner (who will be picked by a committee of artists and music professionals) will get their own Tiny Desk Concert, a sponsored national tour and a considerable career boost from all of the exposure. This year's deadline was pushed to April 27 because of the coronavirus pandemic and judges are currently reviewing videos to pick a winner.
Check out Molly's video for "Still Tryin'" below:
Sullivan has taken home multiple Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for her music. And of her track "Golden," released on Valentine's Day this year, Music Editor Mike Breen wrote:
On Valentine's Day, Cincinnati singer/songwriter Molly Sullivan released her latest single, the heavenly, evocative "Golden." A dreamy love song, the mesmerizing track is anchored by Sullivan's piano and warm vocal embrace.
The slow-tide rhythms and atmospheric music on "Golden" wonderfully encapsulate the dizzying euphoria of a heady new love affair, something also reflected in the lyrics. "Foolin' around/Ain't got nothing to say/But the silence is golden, baby/In this two-person parade," Sullivan woozily sings to begin the song.
The lyrics also capture the mix of caution and hope that comes in the early stages of being love-drunk: "Nothin' golden can stay/Or are we just that crazy," she sings.
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