Crescent City Sounds Submissions Are Open

Submissions are now open for Crescent City Sounds, a locally-focused music streaming service created by the New Orleans Public Library. This marks the third time Crescent City Sounds will add new music to the catalog since launching in October of 2022. Supported by software designed by Rabble, Crescent City Sounds aims to help up-and-coming musicians build a following and gain access to the local music scene.

Library associate Josh Smith spearheaded the Crescent City Sounds project and is leading the 2024 selection process. Other curators include WTUL’s Daniella Cherner, Girls Rock’s Evol Elibom, WHIV’s Steve “What Style” Wiliams, WWOZ’s Jamie Dell’Apa, principal oboist in the New Orleans Volunteer Orchestra Susan Lacey, and Crescent City Sounds alumnus Isaiah Gardner, who performs under the name Sozi.

“This has been a super fun journey,” Smith said. “I am very excited that this year will be our biggest cohort yet, and I can’t wait to hear everything that this community has to offer.”

For Sozi, being involved in Crescent City Sounds as an artist and a curator is an honor and a nod to his roots.

“Looking back, I think the Library is where I really got into music. It’s where I first heard Amy Winehouse. It’s where I first listened to the Beatles, it’s where I first started performing,” he said. “I can’t stress enough how much libraries have influenced my relationship with music, and I just feel so grateful to be given this opportunity. I love libraries. I’m a rapper because of the Library, I believe that to my core. I can go rock a stage because my foundation was at a library. And now, to be a part of this platform? I think it’s beautiful. It speaks to me as a person, not just as an artist.”

New Orleans Public Library Executive Director and City Librarian Emily Painton said Crescent City Sounds signals the Library’s commitment to supporting local art, culture, and finding unique ways to give back to the community.

“We couldn’t be happier with the success of this project,” Painton said. “It’s been such a wonderful and rewarding experience to support and share our local music as we watch the platform grow. Crescent City Sounds launched with 30 artists, and it was a joy to bring on an additional 50 last year. Now, with 75 new spots available, I’m proud to say that we’re chipping away at our goal to capture a true and complete sound of New Orleans’ music scene. The potential for this project is so grand, and I cannot wait to see where it takes us.”

All chosen artists will receive a $250 honorarium to have their albums on the platform, maintain the copyright to their work, and have their albums hosted on Crescent City Sounds for five years.

Prospective artists must primarily perform in New Orleans and submissions cannot have been recorded more than five years ago. Artists can submit a single track, but if selected, should have an album with a minimum of four songs or be at least 20 minutes in length. For detailed guidelines and to stream local music now, visit crescentcitysounds.org. The spring 2024 submission round closes on April 16.