The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the Carpe DM Music compilation, which will feature a variety of original recordings by musical artists living and working in the Greater Des Moines area.

The compilation will be distributed at the “Iowa Reception” (presented by the Greater Des Moines Partnership in collaboration with the State of Iowa) at the annual film, interactive, and music festival/conference SXSW in Austin, Texas on March 9th. Additionally, the compilation will be promoted at career fairs and out-of-state recruitment events, as well as online through the Partnership’s websites (www.desmoinesmetro.com and www.seizedesmoines.com). The compilation will be targeted specifically to people looking to move to the Des Moines area and to newcomers to the community as a way to promote the city’s thriving music scene and local art culture.

“We see this as a new opportunity to spotlight our local bands and the diversity of music we have here, and a unique way to ‘sell’ Des Moines”, said Mary Bontrager, the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Executive Vice President of Workforce Development/Education.

The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition, responsible for organizing events such as 80/35 music festival and Music University, is contributing to the project by handling the submission process and coordinating the selection of tracks through a process of online voting and a jury of individuals involved in the local music scene.

 Submissions are due by 5pm on Tuesday, January 28th.

To submit, please send an email to info@desmoinesmc.com with the Subject “Carpe DM Submission – YOUR BAND NAME” and the following:

  • Attached MP3 of the track for submission (please artist name and track title are in the file name) (Note that the track may not contain explicit lyrics)
  • Artist Name
  • Track Title
  • Artist Hometown (must be in the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s region)
  • Link to one music video and/or one live video
  • Your official website
  • 1 to 3 links to your social media sites
  • 1 to 3 links to reviews, interviews, or other press mentions.