By Emma Mozgiel
Expressing yourself through songs can release you from your inhibitions. Tiny desk is an NPR podcast in which various artists perform mini concerts near a desk in a small room. The artist I chose was R&B artist, Summer Walker. Summer is an introverted person who often shies away from attention, so, this performance was a huge step for her.
Expressing yourself through songs can release you from your inhibitions. Tiny desk is an NPR podcast in which various artists perform mini concerts near a desk in a small room. The artist I chose was R&B artist, Summer Walker. Summer is an introverted person who often shies away from attention, so, this performance was a huge step for her. Many people commented on the fact that the look on her face, as well as her nonchalant demeanor, makes it obvious that she is very anxious. However, you become mesmerized by her raspy, almost angelic voice. She really opens up to the NPR crowd at the end of her set, telling them how excited she is to be there in spite of her social anxiety. Of course, many folks can relate to this type of anxiety. Summer’s lyrics and songs speak to her personal experiences and challenges. She sings about a range of subjects, from depression and toxic relationships, to positivity and love. The target audience of this podcast is people who enjoy listening to R&B soul music and people who battle with the same challenges she does. Walker’s music helps them go through their everyday lives.
Walker travelled from Atlanta to New York with her guitar. And for emotional support during the set, she also brought along her pink stuffed animal named “Friend”. This helped her force the shy enigma out of her creative shell. The structure of her set was very simple with just her band and backup singers and the NPR team listening. After she performed each song, the NPR crowd applauded and supported her. Her team further comforted her by bringing hanging lights to make the room glow and feel more calming. I admire her bravery in doing something that clearly makes her nervous and causes her such anxiety.
I love to watch artists perform in a comfortable and chill environment. Hearing their raw voice with their band close by, exudes an intimate feeling. You can hear the emotion in their voices and how important music is to them. The intimacy gives the audience a better sense of their passion for what they do and insight into what the artist is feeling. This year, Walker stated that she’s going on her first and last tour because of her anxiety struggles. Her album is called ‘Over It’ because she is not fit for the fame life. She once tweeted, “It sucks when you’re not a people person, but you live in a world filled with... people”. My hope is that she will continue to create music, perform live and inspire others who suffer from anxiety. It would be a shame to shutter such talent.
Image Source: https://www.npr.org/artists/761264020/summer-walker
Laura Beltran Villamizar/NPR
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