Local Musicians, Take Note: The Party Farm Wants Your Original Songs

The Party Farm’s fourth annual songwriting contest is officially open, inviting local musicians and songwriters across the Catskills to submit their original tracks. This spring tradition celebrates creativity, offering entrants the chance to transform raw demos into fully produced, radio-ready songs at one of the region’s most immersive recording studios. The contest is open to anyone 18 or older, with submissions accepted as MP3 demos—no fancy production required. The winning song will receive hands-on guidance from the Party Farm team, access to their network of talented local musicians, and the opportunity to hear a simple demo evolve into a professional recording.In the heart of the Catskills, the Party Farm isn’t just a recording studio—it’s a creative hub for songwriters seeking more than just a place to track vocals. With its cozy Mountain Views lounge, in-house bowling alley, and an atmosphere designed to inspire, the studio has become a beacon for local musicians looking to bring their songs to life.“We’re looking for songs that grab us,” says Terry Brennan, co-founder of Party Farm. “It’s always exciting when we can take something from a simple demo and elevate it to a full, polished track that makes people feel something.”For Brennan and co-founder Wendy LaManque, the magic is in the transformation—from raw ideas to fully realized songs. “One of my favorite parts is going from mono to stereo with the vocal harmonies,” Brennan says. “Sometimes we even make people cry.”LaManque adds that producing a song is about more than just recording—it’s about creating a safe, welcoming space for vulnerability. “It’s a lot to ask people to share a piece of themselves. We try to make them comfortable, to really encourage them to be raw and authentic.”Last year’s winner, Brian Dunn, found the experience both productive and relaxing. What starts as a simple guitar-and-voice recording can evolve into a rich, layered track with contributions from the studio’s network of talented musicians. “He came prepared to experiment,” Brennan says. “We added drums, harmonies, and even a bit of melodica. It’s amazing to see a song go from inception to a fully produced track.”The Party Farm team emphasizes that this year’s contest remains a celebration of human creativity. “We’ve added a new rule,” LaManque says. “No AI-generated music. The contest is about original, human songwriting—your chords, lyrics, and melodies.”The deadline for submissions is March 20 at 11:59 p.m. Songwriters are encouraged to submit early—the winning track is often the one that gets stuck in the minds of Brennan and LaManque as they go about their days.For more details on contest rules, submission guidelines, and Party Farm’s community events, visit roscopartyfarm.com, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.