Podcast Summary: All Songs Considered – Alt.Latino: The Return of El Tiny (October 1, 2025)
Overview
In this episode of NPR's Alt.Latino, hosts Felix Contreras and Ana Maria Sayer celebrate the return of El Tiny—NPR Music's Latin-focused Tiny Desk concert series. They reflect on this year's diverse lineup, the importance of musical representation, and timely conversations around Latinidad and music in mainstream U.S. culture. The episode weaves together analysis of social discourse (like Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl announcement), highlights of key El Tiny artists for 2025, and behind-the-scenes stories from recent Tiny Desk sessions.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Cultural Moments: Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl
[00:53–06:34]
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Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Headline: The hosts address the contentious online discourse prompted by the announcement that Bad Bunny will perform at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show.
- Ana Maria expresses fatigue with mainstream U.S. pop culture debates about Latin artists, noting how "who gets to perform" becomes a battleground for political and cultural anxieties.
- The duo point out public misunderstandings about Puerto Rico's status in the U.S. and overt xenophobia in some reactions.
“People are ignorant about the status of Puerto Rico and the United States, but also which is that it is part of the United States.” – Felix Contreras [02:20]
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Bad Bunny’s Representation: Ana Maria highlights the difference in how gender fluidity and advocacy for LGBTQ rights are perceived in Puerto Rican culture versus the mainland U.S., contrasting heartfelt, island-rooted expression with outsized moral panic in U.S. media.
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The hosts question how Bad Bunny will use the Super Bowl platform, noting his history of strong ties to Puerto Rico and speculate about possible musical directions.
“He just did three hours of homage to his island. Like, what is he going to do? What can he do? How will it reflect on his career and his projection through, you know, through the music industry?” – Felix Contreras [02:43]
2. Explaining El Tiny
[07:09–08:48]
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El Tiny is described as an annual month-long celebration (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) of Latin American artists in the Tiny Desk format, showing the musical and cultural diversity of Latin America and the diaspora.
“It’s a month we take out to dedicate ... to entirely Latin American artists.” – Ana Maria Sayer [07:13]
3. Artist Spotlights from El Tiny 2025
a. Fito Paez (Argentina)
[07:31–09:21]
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Fito Paez is lauded as an architect of Argentine rock (“roquenol”), known for poetic lyrics and political engagement during “difficult political time[s]” in Argentina.
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The gravity of having Paez play Tiny Desk is emphasized.
“To have one of the architects of a sound and of a political movement based in music play in our building, Felix, I mean, it’s a big deal. It doesn’t get more El Tiny than that.” – Ana Maria Sayer [08:48]
b. Luis Sabrina (Brazil)
[09:29–10:54]
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Discovered and brought in by NPR colleague Lars Gotrich, she’s praised for a unique sound and for representing the often underrepresented Brazilian audience, NPR Music’s 4th largest international group.
“She really does have such a unique sound, not only for us, but for Brazil. I mean, what she’s doing is unlike anything else that I’ve heard.” – Ana Maria Sayer [10:40]
c. Lido Pimienta (Colombia/Canada)
[10:54–12:21]
- Felix shares seeing Lido both at a festival and at Tiny Desk, excited by her new record and dynamic live energy.
d. Carlos Vives (Colombia)
[12:37–15:55]
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Described as bringing “the entire history of Colombia” into one performance via traditional instruments spanning indigenous, African, and European roots.
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His set celebrated the 30th anniversary of his iconic album La Tierra de Olvido.
“If you’re not tapping your foot at a Carlos Vives concert, at least you’re dead.” – Felix Contreras [12:54]
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Ana Maria calls his show “one of the best ... I think I’ve seen in that room.”
4. Notable New Additions and Collaborations
a. Chewy (Puerto Rico)
[18:15–21:53]
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Ana Maria introduces Chewy, a young Puerto Rican band who previously played with Bad Bunny. She details their emergence and emotive, percussion-driven sound.
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Their song "Tierra" poignantly explores Puerto Rican diaspora longing.
“It’s just reflect the experience of almost every single Puerto Rican person I have spoken to. It's like, I just wish that all my family and all my friends could live in the place that we all grew up and that we all want to die in, period.” – Ana Maria Sayer [21:25]
b. Adrian Quesada’s Boleros Psicodélicos
[21:53–24:10]
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Austin's Adrian Quesada brings his genre-blending bolero project, with guest vocalists Angelica Garcia, Miréya Ramos, Trish Toledo, and iLe, showcasing diverse approaches to the bolero tradition.
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Miréya Ramos adds violin and brings mariachi vibes.
“That was a magic moment ... I really appreciated the four different styles of approaches to boleros.” – Felix Contreras [23:00]
5. Upcoming El Tiny Highlights
[25:19–25:37]
- Anticipation is built for forthcoming Tiny Desks by Gloria Estefan and Silvana Estrada.
6. Behind the Scenes: Intimate Conversations with Artists
a. Silvana Estrada
[25:37–29:49]
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The hosts discuss their personal rapport with Silvana, who opens up about songwriting—channeling heartbreak and drawing inspiration from Lhasa de Sela and Juan Gabriel.
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The conversation is candid, warm, and filled with laughter.
“That passion for life, that passion for everything about it really comes through in her tiny desk 100% when it comes out later this month. I think people are just going to be mesmerized.” – Felix Contreras [29:38]
b. Gloria Estefan
[29:58–30:19]
- Felix admits to being nervous interviewing Estefan, underlining her iconic status.
- Teaser for a future full episode around her Tiny Desk and interview.
7. Memorable Finale: Carlos Vives’ Encore
[30:23–31:15]
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The hosts recall how rare it is for Tiny Desk to have encores, but with Carlos Vives, the room demanded one—culminating in an unforgettable performance of “Fruta Fresca.”
“We never have encores. Casin Unca every once in a blue moon. But when you have Carlos Vives in the building and people start chanting otra, what are you going to do but have an encore?” – Ana Maria Sayer [30:36]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On U.S. Reactions to Latinx Artists:
“It feels weird that we have to say it, but we have to say it.” – Ana Maria Sayer, re: Puerto Rican status [02:29]
- Reflecting Diaspora Experience:
“I just wish that all my family and all my friends could live in the place that we all grew up and that we all want to die in.” – Ana Maria Sayer on Chewy’s ‘Tierra’ [21:25]
- On Carlos Vives:
“If you’re not tapping your foot at a Carlos Vives concert, at least you’re dead.” – Felix Contreras [12:54]
- Silvana Estrada on Creative Influence:
“I was actually listening to Laza de Sela ... super, like, dark and strong energetically. And I get super inspired by that ... I was struggling with this ... desen quentro amoroso actually with a friend of mine. He kind of ... ghosted me for years.” – Silvana Estrada [27:13]
- On Latinidad and Representation:
“So much of what we do ... is thinking about representing different parts of not only Latin America as two continents, but as a diaspora within this country, and what that means and what that represents, and who can say something about that and whose music is saying something about that.” – Ana Maria Sayer [06:45]
Important Segment Timestamps
- 00:53 — Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl, and U.S. pop culture reactions
- 07:09 — Introduction to El Tiny and its significance
- 08:48 — Fito Paez and the roots of Argentine rock
- 10:54 — Lido Pimienta, Carlos Vives, and the heritage of Colombian music
- 18:39 — Chewy (Puerto Rico) and themes of home and diaspora
- 21:53 — Adrian Quesada’s Boleros Psicodélicos feat. various artists
- 25:37 — Interviews with Silvana Estrada and Gloria Estefan
- 30:36 — Carlos Vives’ rare Tiny Desk encore (“Fruta Fresca”)
Episode Tone and Style
This episode is conversational, warm, and deeply informed, balancing musicological insight with humor and personal anecdotes. The hosts’ enthusiasm for the music and the artists is clear, as is their commitment to showcasing the breadth and depth of Latin musical expression.
Conclusion
Alt.Latino’s El Tiny 2025 episode offers listeners a passionate, behind-the-scenes look at how Latin American artistry continues to challenge, reshape, and enrich the American musical landscape, foregrounding stories of cultural resilience, creativity, and joy.