Dessa

Dessafell in love with language as a toddler—and she just never got over it. Now,Dessaworks in most fields that trafÏc in words: she's recorded rap bangers as part of the fiercely independent Doomtree collective, released a live album with the Grammy-winning Minnesota Orchestra; contributed toThe New York TimesandNational Geographic Traveler; delivered aTED Talkon the intersection of romance and neuroscience that's notched more than 4 million views; hosted two seasons of theDeeply Humanradio program (BBC/American Public Media/iHeartMedia); and published a memoir recounting most of the above calledMy Own Devices,published by Dutton (Penguin Random House). She lives in Minneapolis and Manhattan, still tours in a rented van, and is probably eavesdropping on the neighboring table, listening for a word to add to the collection. You can listen to her music, read her writing, and check out the tour schedule atdessawander.comor find her on Instagram asDessa, and on Facebook and Bluesky asdessadarling.