New Orleans Outfit Wins 3rd Annual Tiny Desk Contest
From 6,000 entries, the judges panel have picked a winner for the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest: New Orleans’ Tank and Bangas. The decision was a unanimous one made by this years’ ten member panel that included Phish guitarist and singer Trey Anastasio and KEXP hip-hop DJ and former THEESatisfaction member Stas THEE Boss. Tank and the Bangas compare themselves to a great gumbo, seasonings mixed in the right proportion, the perfect meat chops, and a thick roux to glue it all together. Formed in 2011 at an open mic night, these guys (now 9 strong) knew immediately they had a groove to be actualized. The third Tiny Desk Contest had more entries than ever before, totaling over 6,000 videos and hopeful dreams. Now, Tank and the Bangas will head to Washington, D.C. to perform an official Tiny Desk Concert then hit the road with NPR and Lagunitas Brewing company touring around the country playing shows with local contest winners.
Leslie Feist is Collecting Backpacks to Fight HIV/AIDS in Africa
Leslie Feist has teamed up with Dignitas International to bring children of Africa fighting HIV/AIDS backpacks. Dignitas International is a Toronto-based healthcare non-governmental organization that brings Teen Club safe spaces and HIV tests, prevention, and medication to African communities. But why backpacks? Children often travel days to receive the treatment for themselves and/or their families, and well, kids lose things, and all of the units of treatment are hard to keep track of anyway when traveling far distances. Feist has always donated 100% of her merch sales to charity, and with will continue the trend with her imminent tour following the release of her new album, out in April.