Alisa Amador Learns to Say Yes

A Deeper Listen
Hosted by Emily Fox

Alisa Amador talks about grief, struggles with mental health, and winning NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2022.

Subscribe Here:

Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts Overcast Podcasts  Pocket Casts  Spotify

photo by Sasha pedro

Alisa Amador grew up touring the US and singing in her parents' Latin folk band, Sol y Canto. She then went on to start a solo career and in 2022 she won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. But when she got the call from NPR that she had won, she almost told them to give the award to another contestant. Amador had stopped writing music in 2020 following the death of a close friend. In the end, she did accept the award and is now out with her first album since winning the Tiny Desk Contest. It’s called Multitudes.

Emily Fox caught up with Amador to talk about grief, struggles with mental health, and how winning the contest allowed her to start a new, refreshed chapter of her music career.

More From A Deeper Listen

Emily Fox speaks with the trio about how they met sharing a wall in a New York apartment building, their reflections on women’s rights in their song "She Who D…

The Montreal-based and Anishinaabe-led band Ribbon Skirt talks about their album, Bite Down, and new EP, PENSACOLA.

Portugal. The Man singer, songwriter, and founder, John Gourley talks about the influences on the new album, SHISH.