The Partnership of Greater Des Moines and the Des Moines Music Coalition are putting together a compilation of songs by Central Iowa musicians called CarpeDM Music Compilation.

 “I think this is actually the first time they have done this ever,” said Patrick Tape Fleming from Gloom Balloon and The Poison Control Center. “What a great opportunity to show of the diversity of the Des Moines music scene by asking people to submit songs.”

About 50 Central Iowa musicians submitted songs to get on the CarpeDM Music Compilation, but only 12 songs will be selected. A jury of people scored the songs submitted based on the songwriting, musicianship and appropriateness for compilation to get the top 20 songs.

Gloom Balloon, the Wheelers and The Poison Control Center all made it in the top 20, with hopes of getting on the compilation.

“We chose that song just because it was kind of a worldly song … like a song that is universally talked about,” Fleming said. 

The top 20 songs are now open on the Seize Des Moines website and are asking the public for help to narrow down the top 20 to the top 12 by listening and voting for their favorite song. Voting ends Feb. 28.

The CarpeDM Music Compilation will be shown at career fairs and out-of-state recruitment events like SXSW, an interactive film and music festival, later on this year.