When most people think of concerts, they think of high production value, tons of screaming fans, lights, and special effects.
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts flip the script. They’re performed in an intimate setting with no frills and a limited amount of space for instruments. You really get to see who the performers are at the Tiny Desk – personalities shine through in such a small setting. The music really has to stand out for itself.
It’s got me thinking about limits. Sometimes, limiting your choices or options is key for creativity. Give yourself a hard deadline for a task and you’ll find that your creativity shines. The same can be true for limiting the tools available to you. The paradox of choice states that too much choice leads to paralysis. If you’re in a creativity bind, try fewer options – not more.
Here’s a recent Tiny Desk Concert from Lizzo that I loved. Subscribe to the NPR Music YouTube channel to see future performances.