PLANET CHAMBO · NATURE’S RECORD LABEL
BEATS ON THE RIVER
The River Is the Artist.
What happens when the Chicago River becomes a musical instrument?
Music producers, environmental educators, and communities transform recordings from Chicago’s river ecosystems into original music. Through sampling, storytelling, and creative technology, we’re discovering new ways to listen to our city.
Hear the Chicago River Like Never Before
We recorded flowing water, wildlife, bridges, boats, and the sounds of the city. Chicago-area producers transformed those recordings into original music.
We’re working with participating artists to prepare an official album release across major streaming platforms. A limited-edition vinyl release is also being explored.
Album artwork and release details will be shared as the project develops.
From River to Record
01Field recordings
Listen to the river’s water, wildlife, and urban rhythms.
02Sample pack
Organize environmental recordings into a shared sound library.
03Music producers
Invite producers to sample, experiment, and tell their own stories.
04Original music
Turn the river’s sounds into compositions that invite new ways of listening.
The River as an Artist
At Planet Chambo, the river is an artist and a collaborator. Its currents, wildlife, and encounters with the city create a living soundscape. Field recording begins with listening: paying attention to the rhythms and voices already present in the ecosystem.
Producers respond to those sounds through sampling and composition, letting the river help shape the music. Each track becomes an invitation to build a relationship with this place—and to care for the water, habitats, and communities that give it a voice.
Hear the Story
Discover Beats on the River through independent reporting from NBC Chicago and WBEZ.
NBC Chicago
Source: NBC Chicago
We Turned the Chicago River Into Music | Full NBC Chicago Interview
Watch the interview about turning Chicago River sounds into original music.
WBEZ · In the Loop
Photo: Dan Wendt / WBEZ
What does the Chicago River sound like to you?
Listen to the vision behind Beats on the River and hear a winning track.
WBEZ News
Photo: Zubaer Khan / Sun-Times file
DJs remix sounds of the Chicago River
Hear how local producers transformed river recordings into music.
The Next Chapter
Album + Vinyl
In Development
We’re developing an album with participating artists and exploring a vinyl release to celebrate the Chicago River through original music.
Documentary
Spring 2027
Meet the artists and communities behind Beats on the River in a documentary, with a screening planned for Spring 2027.
Education
In Development
We’re exploring programs where young people connect with river ecology through field recording, sampling, and making their own music.
Be the First to Know
Get updates about the album, documentary screening, vinyl release, and future Planet Chambo programs.
Submit Your Own Remix
The river is still making music, and you can be part of it. Download the sample pack, create your own remix, and share what you hear.
01 · Get the Sounds
Download the Chicago River recordings and find the sounds that inspire you.
02 · Make Your Remix
Turn the river’s sounds into your own track. Review the credits and usage terms before sharing.
03 · Share Your Track
Still accepting remixes. Send us your track and tell us how the river inspired it.
Ready to share your track? Use the remix submission form to send us your track.
Sample pack, credits & usage terms
Sounds of Chicago River (Shikaakwa Zibi nônwek) by Solidarity Studios. Find the original 34-track pack, descriptions, credits, and download formats on Bandcamp. License: all rights reserved, as listed by the original publisher.
Support the Project
Help us create more experiences that connect communities with nature through music.
Partners & Supporters
Planet Chambo · Friends of the Chicago River · Solidarity Studios · Soundly
With support from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Crossroads Fund, and Environmental Education Association of Illinois.
