New Round of Sounds of the River Competition

Friends of the Chicago River, Solidarity Studios and Planet Chambo (nature’s record label) are excited to announce the second round of the Beats on the River remix competition.

In August 2025, this collaborative team launched a sample pack featuring sound clips of the wildlife and waters of our rivers. Now we are thrilled to kick off the 2026 summer season by calling musicians, artists, and anyone inspired by these river beats to mix the sounds into their own unique pieces, with the goals of celebrating the river as a vibrant, living habitat; increasing public engagement; and building community connection through music production and sampling. 

The Sounds of the River sample pack invites you to dive into the layered soundscape of the Chicago-Calumet River system—a living archive of ecosystems, histories, and rhythms. It brings together field recordings captured along the river system: the rush of post-storm waters, the hum of industrial barges, the songs of city birds, and whispers of wind through native trees. More than just samples, these sounds invite you to listen deeply—to hear what the land remembers.

Click here to listen and get immersed in the Sounds of the Chicago-Calumet River system. Any artists and producers inspired to mix their own river beats can download the sample pack and use this submission platform to upload their creative works. Submissions uploaded by July 19, 2026 will be entered to win a river prize pack and an opportunity to showcase your production at future events. Panelists will prioritize productions that transform the river into a creative musical production. All genres and styles of music and audio production are welcome! 

Listen to the first remix competition winners to explore how these artists integrated river beats into their own sounds. Enrivered by Ozlenda won for the best piece 60 seconds and over (listen to Enrivered), and Bootcamp Beat by September & Laila Swopes won for the best piece under 60 seconds (listen to Bootcamp Beat).

Friends is proud to partner with Planet Chambo (@planetchambo on Instagram), nature’s record label, and Solidarity Studios (@solidaritystu on Instagram), to engage local artists and community members to connect with our rivers in this unique way. This project invites you to listen to the beauty and vibrations of our waterways and take in the mental and emotional benefits of nature and sound.