Media Arts students at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) have developed their first vinyl record, Mars Fest. On May 15, they’ll celebrate it with a release party.

The album takes its name from NOCCA students’ annual music festival, which this year took place on Valentine’s Day. Mars Fest is a compilation of 15 songs produced by more than 20 NOCCA Media Arts students.

Manufactured by New Orleans Record Press, the vinyl was pressed in front of the students. “It was amazing seeing the process first hand,” shared Media Arts Sophomore Andrew Kende. “It wasn’t like ordering it online at the click of a button.”

Having a tangible, locally created piece of work takes on real significance in the digital era. Media Arts student Trunks Sims said, “We are official because we are on vinyl and everyone else is just on the internet. We have physical copies of our music. It has really been manifested. It is a different sound. It is more real sounding as opposed to hearing something streamed on the internet because there is more depth.”

Now, the New Orleans community is invited to celebrate the students’ achievement at May 15’s release party, which is also the senior showcase. There, folks can purchase a copy of the vinyl for $25. The following day, May 16, there’s a film festival. The celebrations takes place at NOCCA (2800 Chartres St.).

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