What is the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition?

We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and collaborative movement committed to building a stronger and more diverse music community in greater Des Moines.

Through our mission to support and cultivate Iowa’s music economy, our vision is to establish and maintain Des Moines as a nationally recognized music city.

 

What exactly does the DMMC do?

• We put on the 80/35 music festival annually, and this is our 12th year!
• We support local music by putting on Little BIG Fest and Gross Domestic Product, two festivals focusing on different genres of local acts.
• We produce Music University, a program designed to incorporate new and diverse ways to engage local musicians in professional development opportunities.
• We provide startup funding/sponsorships to music related events and organizations.
• We promote Iowa music on our blog, in our newsletter, and through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by sharing news, upcoming shows, music, videos, reviews, and more.
• We work in conjunction with other arts organizations in central Iowa through efforts, such as Capital Crossroads to strategize, plan, and execute music-related concepts that will have a positive impact on our community.

 

I like it. How do I help out?

You can donate your time or your treasure. Both are very valuable to our cause. Click here to volunteer. Click here to donate.

 

What does the DMMC do with my donations?

We are responsible with the money we raise by limiting our administrative costs to a handful of staff people supplemented heavily by volunteers, which serve as the driving force of our organization. Your donations go directly to the production of sustainable events with high accessibility to the general public and to supporting other programs that further our cause.

 

I signed up to be a DMMC Fan in the past. Does that automatically make a Member of the DMMC?

Probably! Members of the DMMC is what we are now calling our Membership program. Your Fan subscription lasts for one year from when you signed up. If you signed up to be a DMMC Fan within the last year, you are a Member.

 

I “like” the DMMC on Facebook and I didn’t get the early bird code for 80/35 tickets. What’s going on?

Benefits such as 80/35 early bird access are part of our official Members of the DMMC program. You can learn about it and sign up here.

 

I donated to the DMMC at Backstage Ball, does that mean I’m a Member of the DMMC? 

Yes! Purchasing a ticket to Backstage Ball makes you a Front Row Member of the DMMC! Thank you for your generous support!

 

I made a donation but haven’t gotten any benefits! What’s up?

Hm, we’re not sure! Contact us if you think a mistake has been made!

 

I’d love to write a review or story for this website. What do I need to do?

You can email us at jordan@desmoinesmc.com and we will happily send you some local music to review! Or if you have your own idea for a review or story, go ahead and submit a draft. There aren’t really any rules, just keep the content suitable for people of all ages and we’ll be happy to post it in our social media pages and or News page!

 

I’m in a band. How can the DMMC help me?

There are many ways, some of which we probably don’t even know about! But here are a few:

• We can connect you with lots of new fans and opportunities if you play one of our events.
• We can provide reviews of your music. Check out some examples in our News page. 
• You can connect with musicians, other bands, venues, and other music industry people over in the Music Directory.
• We can promote your new album, music video, or upcoming show to our fans via this website, our newsletter, and our social media networks.

Email us at jordan@desmoinesmc.com to inquire about any of the above.

 

My band wants to play a DMMC festival. How do we make that happen?

Email us your bio + links to your social media and music to info@desmoinesmc.com to inquire about playing an event! Also, visit the News page for information about applying for specific events.

 

I want someone to review my album. Where do I send it?

Email jordan@desmoinesmc.com and we’ll look into it!

You can follow up about your review by emailing us at info@desmoinesmc.com. We can’t guarantee that your album will be reviewed, as this is done entirely by volunteers. If you find someone interested in reviewing your album, we will happily post it our news page!

 

I want to stay in the know. Is there a newsletter or something I can sign up for?

As a matter of fact, there is. Head down to the bottom of this page. It’s pretty easy to spot. Good luck!

 

I’m a musician working in Iowa and don’t feel like the DMMC is representing my interests. How do I go about changing that?

The best answer: Volunteer. The DMMC is a grassroots, volunteer-run organization; our volunteers’ interests and passions drive our agenda. 80-35 music festival is one of the largest volunteer-run festivals in the country. Check out our meeting calendar and subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the know about opportunities to volunteer and make a difference!

 

What is the Des Moines Music Commission?

Well, it isn’t us, but that doesn’t mean it’s not cool! It is a group appointed by the city council of Des Moines to help with music-related issues in the city.  You can visit their website here for more information.