Annahstasia: Tiny Desk Concert

Why It Matters

The set showcases how NPR’s Tiny Desk can catapult niche artists into mainstream awareness, offering sponsors a culturally resonant platform.

Key Takeaways

• Anastasia performed original, experimental songs at NPR’s Tiny Desk.
• The set featured eclectic instrumentation: sax, cello, oud, and keys.
• Audience responded enthusiastically, with multiple applause bursts throughout.
• NPR’s Tiny Desk sponsorship highlighted by Capital One and Rivian.
• Performance emphasized themes of introspection, love, and personal struggle.

Summary

Anastasia took the stage at NPR’s Tiny Desk, delivering a haunting, genre‑bending set that blended indie‑rock sensibilities with avant‑garde folk.

The performance featured a rotating lineup—saxophonist Hailey Niswanger, cellist Vander, oud‑guitarist Eunice, bassist Mia Garcia, and keyboardist Aaron Liao—creating a rich tapestry of sound. Her lyrics wandered through introspection, love, and existential doubt, punctuated by repetitive refrains like “Either way” and “I won’t be heartless.”

Moments such as the chant “I’m inside you” and the line “I built you wooden houses… then I burn them down” highlighted her poetic storytelling. The concert was interspersed with sponsor tags from Capital One and Rivian, reminding viewers of the corporate support behind NPR Music.

The Tiny Desk appearance amplifies Anastasia’s profile, positioning her for broader touring and streaming opportunities, while reinforcing NPR’s reputation as a launchpad for emerging talent and a valuable branding venue for sponsors.

Original Description

Elle Mannion | May 26, 2026

Take a deep breath. This is what songwriter Annahstasia tenderly instructs her band to do between songs; it's also an apt description of what listening to her music can feel like.

Annahstasia's voice is soothing, strong, textured and grounded. At the Tiny Desk, it's exquisitely attuned with the band's varied instrumentation. Like deep breaths, each song rises and falls as the group starts softly, builds to a crescendo, then lands in a gentle place.

For the finale, Annahstasia offers a twist on "Villain," a standout track from her debut album Tether. What begins as a song about insecurity now ends with a new, more hopeful verse that she sings over Hailey Niswanger's bird-like whistling: "Take it, take it back / All that you left within me / All the doubt and the fear / When love was always abundant in me."

SET LIST

"Stress Test"

"Be Kind"

"Sunday"

"Villain"

MUSICIANS

Annahstasia: vocals, guitar

Mia Garcia: guitar, bass

Yunus Iyriboz: oud, guitar

Aaron Liao: bass, shruti box, piano, music director

Hailey Niswanger: flute, alto sax

Zander Howard-Scott: cello, piano

TINY DESK TEAM

Producer: Elle Mannion

Director: Maia Stern

Audio Engineer/Mix: Hannah Gluvna

Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter

Videographers: Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant

Video Editor: Nikki Birch

Audio Director/Mix: Josh Newell

Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer

Series Editor: Lars Gotrich

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed

Executive Director: Sonali Mehta

Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton

#nprmusic #tinydesk #Annahstasia

Support for NPR Music comes from Capital One. Proud supporters of NPR Music and the Tiny Desk Contest. What's in your wallet? Learn more at Capital One dot com.