NIKI: Tiny Desk Concert

NPR Music's Tiny Desk is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. These artists represent just a sliver of the cultural diversity that exists within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
Stephen Thompson | May 31, 2023
NIKI, a.k.a. Nicole Zefanya, took a circuitous route to the Tiny Desk. Born in Jakarta, she scored a major opportunity by winning a competition at 15 to open for Taylor Swift when her Red Tour took her to Indonesia. After moving to Nashville and building a following as a KZbinr, NIKI released two EPs and an album (Moonchild), then moved to L.A. and landed her song "Every Summertime" on the soundtrack to the Marvel blockbuster Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album. Our own Bobby Carter heard that track and fell in love, and soon enough, NIKI and her band were breaking in the latest instrument in our in-house Tiny Desk collection: a light-blue toy piano.
That li'l piano figures prominently in "Backburner," the song that opens NIKI's Tiny Desk debut, but these songs also reflect a more serious side. "The Apartment We Won't Share," which the singer says "sort of laments the loss of an unlived life with somebody," recalls the weightier reflections of Taylor Swift, while "Before" tells the specific-but-relatable story of a long-distance love that falls apart before it can get fun. But NIKI closes her set on a breezy note, as she and her band swim in sleekly soulful, '70s-singer-songwriter vibes throughout "Every Summertime." The story of a love that grows and evolves with each passing summer, it had Bobby and the rest of us swaying, swooning and swimming in high hopes for the weeks and months to come.
SET LIST
"Backburner"
"The Apartment We Won't Share"
"Before"
"Every Summertime"
MUSICIANS
NIKI: vocals, piano, guitar
Jacob Ray: percussion, effects, guitar, vocals, music director
Kim Vi: keys, guitar, vocals
Edison Lo: bass, vocals
Fer Fuentes: drums
Andrea Ferrero: guitar, toy piano, vocals
Desiree Hazley: violin, vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
​​Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Sofia Seidel, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Kara Frame, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#niki #nprmusic #tinydesk

[@nprmusic]

Want to play your own Tiny Desk concert? Unsigned musicians, enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Learn more: npr.org/tinydeskcontest.

[@shammusparker3318]

❤❤❤ love Niki her music band Xmas

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Love Niki, the great musician

[@soonjibbaek7614]

나 지금 운전ㅔㅔ😊에서는 안돼요 문자 좀😊

[@savirrschannel]

we’re starting niki’s tiny desk with backburner?? i’m crying already!😭 so proud of you, niki! always sending a lot of love and support from home!❤️

[@adiwicaksono5336]

aku udah kaget Niki masuk Tiny Desk. eh Vira masuk top komen woakakak

[@savirrschannel]

@@adiwicaksono5336 hahaha aku bahkan gatau kalo top comment! nemu aja sih diii🤣🤣

[@sayadhani2548]

I just started listening to Niki's songs last year and everything just beautiful wishing I could meet her in a café sometime and sing a long and chilling wkwkwk Niki jago lah nemenin belajar sambil santai 🫶🏻

[@yangkerino4473]

literally my fav song of Niki

[@2weather]

슬픔과 분노를 경험하면 더 창의적이 될 수 있으며, 창의적이 됨으로써 고통이나 부정적인 감정을 넘어설 수 있습니다.

[@jello-dk4lx]

00:00 Backburner 5:10 The Apartment we wont share 8:42 Before 14:29 Every Summertime

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Thanks

[@teokengchuan]

First time I've heard of Niki. I'm not from Indonesia but from the tiny island of Singapore north of its huge archipelago. I'm going to take some liberties and claim Niki as our own sister from Southeast Asia. Anyone who has made it to Tiny Desk deserves our love and respect. Wonderful little set with a bunch of talented young musicians. Well done, Niki, the only way is up. You've made us real proud.

[@strawberryshortcake219]

❤

[@stqriee5]

I’m from Singapore too! She’s performing at F1 in September :) She recently had a concert here last December, she’s a great performer.

[@artanakill0016]

Love from Indonesia

[@adien31]

Feel free to claim her. We need a south east asian singer representation for this era, we used to have lea salonga

[@letitbe978]

She from china

[@stevenmillion11]

from Awali Hari Dengan Cinta to being the opening act on Taylor Swift concert in Jakarta to Polaroid Boy to Anaheim to See You Never to I Like U to Chilly to Newsflash! to Zephyr to Included in DISNEY Raya and The Last Dragon Ost. with her song Warpaint to Being the opening act on Halsey tour in every listed city in Asia to Lowkey, Indigo, Shouldn't Couldn't Wouldn't, La La Lost You, Sugarplum Elegy to Her debut album Moonchild to Hallway Weather to Being the opening act in H.E.R tour in all USA dates to The biggest dream of every musician hittin MARVEL Ost. with Every Summertime to Nicole album to Nicole north america and asia tour to NICOLE WORLD TOUR AND SOLD OUT EVERY TICKETS + featuring on other musician songs First ever Indonesian female singer to perform at Coachella, Lollapalooza, "Tiny Desk" and many more. Her journey is kinda unbelievable, so proud of her.

[@byeonggon]

I didn't know she opened taylor swift's concert in jakarta ?!! when was that

[@randomramyeon4209]

⁠@@byeonggon it was for the Red Tour in Jakarta back in 2014

[@rafaelunplugged]

This woman is so talented. I was blown away by her Coachella 2022 set. Amazing.

[@zoe17250]

yea the coachella set was awesome. i’m so glad they live-streamed it so i could watch from home!

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Yes true

[@kidzkao]

Same that's where I was intro'd to her

[@rafaelunplugged]

LETS GET TO 500k!

[@advanze643]

wow, what a moment. so glad to be a fan of niki, truly an artist deserving of a tiny desk

[@charpenta566]

ayo g2 fans listen to niki based

[@jeneshikuskeleton1904]

thissss

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Yes true

[@cassandra7665]

Her storytelling ability through music is UNREAL. She’s amazing. Can’t wait to see you live in Vancouver, queen!! 🤍

[@tatata9114]

True. Reminds me of taylor swift

[@mnonomno1264]

​@@tatata9114 sounds about right, I discovered her when she opened for Taylor's Red tour in Indonesia after winning a contest and I've been following her ever since ❤

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Yes true

[@rinisatorres]

I'll be in Vancouver too, so excited!!!

[@syifapriwidyastuti194]

absolutely

[@Nicholas777ful]

Tiny Desk has it’s own standard, and it make how we love listening to their production. This video proof that Niki already has a standard same as other popular artist. I love the music arrangement and sound engineer. Niki song is so touching, but the violin make it more magical. I’m listening this video for 30x times and it just gives me more energy and spirit. Good job guys and so proud of you Niki

[@dissydose]

THANK YOU TINY DESK TEAM FOR INVITING NIKI AND THANK YOU NIKI FOR BEING OUR PHENOMENAL INDONESIAN PRINCESS

[@maisarahsheilla8674]

YASHHHH!!

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

True

[@rafvierthstein5210]

She is from Phillippines guys.

[@dotslashdotslahsdotslash]

@@rafvierthstein5210 She's definitely Indonesian. You could easily google it up, and that if you actually knew how.

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

@@rafvierthstein5210 no, she is from Indonesian for the world

[@mikay_la]

I THINK IM NEVER GONNA GET TIRED OF HEARING HER DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF BACKBURNER 😭

[@FellexandroRuby]

Acoustic sessions always hits different. Thanks Tiny Desk for this! And congrats NIKI!

[@hannahhazelpalomar5013]

can we talk about how amazing The Apartment we won’t share is? Niki is a genius

[@InternetGirl1093]

I’m so sad she didn’t do some of her more popular songs, like “Indigo,” and “La La Lost You!” I get it, she wants to share the newer stuff, but those songs are so good and more upbeat than the songs she shared. I’m grateful she performed “Every Summertime” though, I love that one too.

[@agnarjuanjanitra8001]

That both song didn't match the vibes that Tiny Desk has. Its more for chill acoustic songs version

[@InternetGirl1093]

@@agnarjuanjanitra8001 I disagree, I’ve seen many artists come and perform faster songs, but in the acoustic style. Of course she would’ve adapted them for the vibe of Tiny Desk. Plenty of artists have done it before, look at Anderson.Paak’s, Megan Thee Stallion, and the legend, T-Pain’s tiny desks. It’s possible to adapt fast songs to an acoustic setting, that’s how music works!

[@mnonomno1264]

Love her new music but still my all-time fave of hers is Little Souls from her KZbin cover days and I was a bit upset she didn't include it in this album

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

yes, maybe he's trying to introduce his newest song that doesn't have an acoustic cover like this one

[@abiezercalcano1060]

girl got bars.......great lyrics

[@naulahamidah6512]

About time til the world witness her little wits as well

[@chaz5867]

this backburner acoustic version more more killing than original version.. 3:00 this part 🤯

[@akunmanusia12]

Justice for Oceans and Engines

[@thickivicki89]

Very unique. The band seems so at peace with her. A peaceful band= Blissful music being made. Her voice is beautiful ❤ In a world that’s crumbling down, this is what makes us connect.! LOVE ❤️ SPREAD LOVE AROUND ❤

[@hubcitynumba1]

❤ Exactly 🙏🏼 Perfeftly written

[@user-vx3rh6ho1y]

🫵🏼 You’re amazing! Music truly can make us all connect. So dope

[@dreampinkreel]

Niki honestly has everything. She’s a great lyricist, she plays numerous instruments and her voice is as pretty and bright as her smile

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Yes

[@tnutss]

Andrea Ferrero in the back playing guitar is hella into the music! Love how passionate she enjoys the music

[@fa9287]

Went to Nicole world tour in JKT yesterday. Not gonna lie, cried several times during accoustic session. Watching this, again, cry.

[@trisnawulandari6988]

Wow indonesian subscriber watching indonesian artist on tiny desk like huaa amazing 😢❤

[@iamfrickincool]

Wow!! The violin pizzicato in the apartment we won't share sets such a perfect foundation in the strings for some reason lol

[@AFTALonzo]

Why am I just getting suggested this 5 MONTHS LATER?? Bad algorithm, bad!!

[@amethyst21]

And I'm 11 months later 🌝

[@aeron4798]

You know it was a real talent when an artist has been invited to perform in Tiny Desk. It was surreal to see Niki here!!

[@ekarudiyanto2380]

and influential too

[@trefindsamuel]

Following her journey since the youtube era back on 2016 and looking how far NIKI has become now is what an asian dad proud moment for me!!

[@TenderLovinz]

Been wanting a tiny desk since her acoustic La La Lost You

[@yootaeyolk]

our queen has made it to tiny desk i'm so proud 😭😭

[@valdamaria5654]

THANK YOU FOR BRING MY PRECIOUS NIKI AND MAKE HER SING BACKBURNER I LOVE NIKI SO MUCH AND I LOVE NPR IM GONNA CRY BYE

[@sghound]

PROTECT HER AT ALL COST. as usual, big up the tiny desk engineer for the wonderful audio.

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@Chronomatrix]

OMG NIKI MADE IT TO TINY DESK!!! I love her music so much.

[@refnedyarpandi6974]

Our Indonesia queen YESSS NIKIIIIIII❤

[@pancongmateng8911]

backburner is my song i mean everytime i listen this song it always brings me to tears, it hurts me but I kinda enjoy it because the song is so amazing lol

[@lana2776]

I cant get over the toy piano sound

[@AnthonyAlexanderonYT]

I'm glad that in this precious moment, Jacob Ray was also there, performing with her

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Jacob always support her niki

[@fadelrizaldy4486]

Thank you for giving hope to Indonesian musician that we able to prove to the world we have quality, so proud of you NIKI

[@annabelle7123]

Wow first time hearing her and I truly needed her music in my life. This sounds like what I missed from the 90s or the old 2010s Taylor Swift.

[@musicenthusiast96]

i was always wondering when niki was going to be on npr because she is that talented and here we are!!! she is just so talentedd. to see an asian girl like me on npr is just CRAZY like dreams do rly come true. niki is a trailblazer for sure ❤

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Yass

[@RachelMishael]

Beautiful voice! Thanks for introducing me to NIKI, Tiny Desk! 💛

[@xxdalionxx]

Have fun she has a great discography

[@surtikantisurtikanti]

You're in for a treat Rachel, welcome to the club!

[@KanameandYuuki]

I can't get over the cowbell noise for Backburner LOL, I didn't notice the first time around and now it's invading my peace 😂

[@elgrareview]

From Dahsyat to Tiny Desk, Niki living the life.

[@crisdapertiwi]

She looks nervous but still amazing❤

[@Wheresjanvlog]

So proud of our Niki. South East Asia represent!

[@barbaramarina0]

the way i never cried so hard listening to anything more than her new album...

[@fromnaras]

I LOOOVE NIKI! She eats CDs for breakfast definitely. Her lyricism is also amazing. I’m so proud as a fellow SEA 😭

[@sheilaandini10]

I'M THAT EXCITED KNOWING NIKI IS ON TINY DESK!!!! FREAKINN ENJOY THISSS

[@hi-cl7qq]

NIKIIIII U DESERVED THIS SO MUCH LOVE U MY INDO QUEEN

[@mahdibouchekouk2823]

I swear I was just thinking last night how great a NIKI Tiny Desk would be. So happy to see this!!

[@zanelin4589]

很爱很爱niki的音乐！感激！

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@THIIIIRSTY]

I found NIKI through my listening adventures of 88 Rising artists and it honestly got me through the last half of 2022. I'm so happy seeing this today. Every single album is magic in its own way. Thanks for this beautiful gift on another cloudy day 💚

[@rafffffffy]

THE NIKI TINYDESK DEBUT IS HERE!!! LETS GO!!!!!

[@ehetelgeneroso5822]

Thank you for making it available in the Philippines ❤

[@valdamaria5654]

SENDING SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR MY MANADONESE GIRL YOU'RE SO TALENTED AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH NIK!!!

[@rsmrybblt]

she looked so nervous but i love the way she deal with it.. proud of you NIKI🎉❤

[@IneziaAmanda]

Yea i think so too! I’ve bern watching all of her live and shes def nervous in here❤️ love her tho

[@eduardreamerrr]

yeah she looks shy too but anyways she did it

[@fain_amp7557]

Itu pasti, karena Taylor Swift, The Cranberries, Post Malone, dan yang lainnya pernah di sini. Tapi, Niki hebat!

[@iskotayo1]

This girl grow up and progress beautifuly... So proud of her, been with her since her first song in youtube... ❤❤❤ U NIKI ❤ 88 rising...

[@francesalexa]

So proud of NIKI ❤️ been rooting for her since youtube era 2016. she has come so far. 🥹🥹🥹

[@Best_Playlist_Of_Gospel]

I would listen to this song every day but a night before one of the scariest exam papers, I listened to this song and the words " late in the midnight hour God's gonna turn it around, it's gonna work in your favor" sounded like I heard them for the first time. At that moment I knew God got me in that exam the next day. And now I'll be graduating 🥺

[@hippoc07legendary99]

Her songs paint wonderful images in my brain. I wonder if she has thought about writing musicals seems a perfect fit

[@louisaamabel708]

oh my god yes!! I love musicals and i think she'd be a great writer

[@charizarr.d]

that is such an apt way of describing her songs 💖

[@snorlax318]

19 minutes of pure joy i cant stop smiling

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Yes

[@dafiqa]

niki di tiny desk! ini pencapaian banget sihhh, keren banget kak niki, sukses terus kaa🙌🏻

[@joshhardon3660]

Appreciate this young artist!!!! My daughter was just an extra in her video “too much of a good thing” 😊 I’m a new fan 😝 and honestly seeing this….YOU ROCK NIKI stay true to this !!!! Don’t let the industry dictate you ….you have a great style don’t lose it don’t get “poppy” 😊

[@dthomas4566]

My top five favorite singer, she is a generational talent, and underappreciated....go 88 rising 🎉❤

[@babyducklings6774]

I couldn’t believe this happened!!

[@valdamaria5654]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING NIKI ONCE AGAIN AT TINY DESK IM SO GRATEFUL

[@samuelalcantar4927]

I got Andrea's signature tonight after the Vancouver show! She told me she loved my energy during the show 🤟 Andrea, Niki, and rest of the band were amazing!

[@brendatan3354]

so so enamoured by you niki!!!!! our girl has come so far and deserves all the success in the world! amazing performance 😭🥺💗

[@NasPNPL-ytb]

Yes good

[@tamaramylo]

is anyone here still bitter that she deleted her old channel? BUT SHE REACHED THE TINY DESK OH MY GOD

[@mukticahyadi2721]

From Dahsyat to Tiny Desk NPR, so proud!!

[@kyutd1212]

Yeeeyeyeye lalalalaaaa

[@happygeeky]

I am crying!! Girl YOU made it to tiny desk🥹🥹🥹

[@ulfatulzahro8865]

Finally NIKI’s tiny desk debut

[@hammettl]

Came for the cute face, stayed for the great lyrics. Shame on me, but happy to have found a new to me band that brings me back to my late 90’s early 00’s Indy music memories.

[@blueskys2010]

Wow i got goosebumps all over my body hearing this, she deserve to get on biggest stage as soon as possible. Beautiful Tone and songs

[@camipcq]

ay pense que era nicki nicole pero igual BANCO FUERTE, gracias al error soy feliz conociendo semejante artista

[@NatassyaAnza]

Starting Tiny Desk with Backburner, you really know how to please our ears. A very talented young lady, we're cheering you from home, NIKI! ❤🤍

[@yusuf.a8755]

couldn’t stop smiling throughout this whole thing 😭

[@trinhv9978]

she's like my "college" singer!! Grow mature listening to her songs💛

[@martinvollrath2641]

Wow, so talented musicians. I closed my eyes and dreamed. Thanks.

[@cottonvinyls]

I'm so proud of her. She's truly a talented singer & songwriter!! What a queen ❤

[@journalingasmrwithkania6286]

SO PROUD OF HERRRR ♡♡♡♡ thank you for inviting an indonesian icon!!!!!

[@biumch07]

Omg i got Backburner and The Apartment We Won't Share, my favorite. Congrats Niki, so proud of you😭

[@raraavirav]

i swear i love niki so much, she plays all my favourite song🤧

[@leaodegaza7656]

Nice one . Moçambique 🇲🇿

[@nurcholismajid8958]

That violin on “berore” song is hitting hard

[@noname-po3de]

Everytime Niki do this raw vocals with her acoustic guitar... it brings me back to the days when she used to cover songs. I now realized that I have been here all along listening to Niki and it makes the lyrics more special for me. I love you Niki ❤❤ I will support you always.

[@kewenwang7623]

NIKI's voice is totally a treasure✨❣always proud to be a fan of u niki!!

[@sudikshas8319]

so happy to see niki on tiny desk!! shes so amazing 💗💗

[@angel-ca]

first found niki from her genius vid and fell in love with how she sounds live

[@chipsweaters]

Not gonna lie, I teared up right away when I realized how much I could relate to the first song.

[@alien4457]

Thank you NPR for having our girl Niki, she deserves to be here

[@madyka]

My ears have been blessed, thank you NPR for having NIKI!!!

[@CeaJay5]

I love u niki 🧎🏻‍♀️

[@valdamaria5654]

THANK YOU NPR MUSIC, THANK YOU TINY DESK THIS IS MEAN SO MUCH FOR ME I WILL ENJOY THIS MY ENTIRE LIFE

[@pancabiak7307]

Udhh tampil di sini saja, oh my god, benar benar keren niki, ini akun banyak artis dunia yg tampil di sini, dan penonton niki termasuk banyak, sampai 1,1jt view, keren sih. Dan banyak orang luar negeri yang komen juga.

[@jakap221]

Sumpah gw bangga banget liat niki ada disini 😭

[@VOByRobbins]

So beautifully recorded, wow, fantastic performances by all. Tiny Desk just kills it every time. Definitely the standard for small room live recordings!!!! So immersive and intimate!

[@bryanangelo2253]

I was waiting for oceans end engine 😭 niki and the band was amazing!!!! It fills my heart up very beautiful music to hear

[@yuliyana9643]

18, we were undergrads Stayed out late, never made it to class, uh Outer Richmond in a taxi cab You were sweating bullets on the way to my dad's and oh You said, "Baby, think we're moving too fast", ah-ah And I swear the magnolias flashed a smile (flashed a smile) And that's when I caught me hoping you'd stay a while (stay a while) Baby, I'd give up anything to travel inside your mind Baby, I fall in love again come every summertime My daddy taught me to choose 'em wisely, but you don't have to try 'Cause, baby, I fall in love every summertime 25, man we're missing church Laugh 'bout everyone we're hating at work Dinner with your sister and the jokes kinda hurt Cry the way home, and you're putting me first, oh Yeah, we just always know what to say (mh, ah, yeah) We're strolling down the boulevard And dancing under streetlights (oh, the lights) Every year we get older, and I'm still on your side (oh, I) Baby, I'd give up anything to travel inside your mind Baby, I fall in love again come every summertime My daddy taught me to choose 'em wisely, but you don't have to try 'Cause, baby, I fall in love every summertime Every day is summertime Every day is summertime Every day is summertime with you Every day is summertime Every day is summertime Every day is summertime with you

[@LuckyNumber13]

One of the best thing in 2023 for me..discovering NIKI's music ! ❤

[@MrZipdang]

What a fantastic band of young musicians! I’m blown away!

[@terriepadin864]

OMG with the violin!!!!