"I exercised free will and built my own"
BY Megan LaPierrePublished Jun 9, 2026
Alessia Cara is a pretty big deal. The Brampton singer-songwriter and former Exclaim! cover star has been a fixture in Canadian music since her smash hit debut single, 2015's "Here," and she'll quite literally be performing at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony alongside Alanis Morissette here in Toronto on Friday (June 12) — but the not-betting folks over at NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts apparently haven't taken notice.
Cara, who has always seemed like a very grounded individual, casually let fans know that she has yet to be welcomed by NPR in a post on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter yesterday (June 8), announcing her own alternative to the popular YouTube performance series.
"well tiny desk said no to me a couple times so I exercised free will and built my own!" the artist wrote, sharing that her Giant Desk concert — a six-song live performance filmed in an office with her band — will be out tomorrow (June 10).
In addition to contributing to this month's Boi-1da-produced Canada Soccer tribute album, WHAT IF IT ALL GOES RIGHT?, Cara released a jazz record, Love or Lack Thereof, back in March as the follow-up to 2025's Love & Hyperbole.
well tiny desk said no to me a couple times so I exercised free will and built my own! 'giant desk' out June 10th. 6 songs live from an office with these cool cats. pic.twitter.com/UZpfRKVDTc— ac (@alessiacara) June 8, 2026
More Alessia Cara
- Alessia Cara, Barenaked Ladies, P'tit Belliveau to Take the Stage in Ottawa for Canada Day
- Alessia Cara, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, TOBi Join Toronto's FIFA Fan Festival
- Feist, Alessia Cara, Broken Social Scene to Play TOgether Festival to Raise Money for Toronto Healthcare
Source: Exclaim!
