What does Spokane sound like? At Spokane Public Library, the answer is just a click away. Lilac City Records, the library’s local music streaming platform, gives the community a place to hear and celebrate the music being created right here in Spokane.
Launched in 2023, Lilac City Records cultivates and preserves a growing collection of local music. The platform is unique: it’s the only streaming service dedicated entirely to Spokane-area artists. Listeners can explore a wide range of genres, including blues, classical, rock, folk, pop, jazz, rap, and hip-hop—all created by musicians who call the Inland Northwest home.
For local artists, the platform offers more than just exposure; it creates a deeper connection between the community and the people making the music. Singer-songwriter Olivia Brownlee, whose album This Is Where You Live is featured on Lilac City Records, says the platform helps people recognize the voices shaping their local culture. “There is a huge value in understanding who your original songwriters are in your town,” said Olivia. “Lilac City Records is an amazing resource because it’s the only place that is home to only local music. But also, get out into town and find the original bands that are playing live music because those are the songs that are about you. Because you live here too.”
Local band Timeworm brings another voice to the platform with their album Interplanetary Flamingo Park Reunion. Known for their funky, playful sound, the group sees Spokane’s music scene as a place where creativity thrives. “Anyone can start a band. People have ideas, but not everyone goes and does something about it. Your local scene is the easiest way to make that happen. You don’t have to move to Seattle, LA, or Nashville; you can do it right here, right now. Spokane is full of friendly, talented, supportive people. If we’re doing it, you can do it, too.”
Lilac City Records is even shaping the soundtrack of daily life around town. At Scale House Market—Spokane’s only year-round farmers market—the platform provides the background music for shoppers browsing local goods.
Some of the music in the platform was even recorded at Central Library’s recording studio, and artists whose albums or EPs are accepted receive a $200 stipend thanks to funding from the Spokane Public Library Foundation.
Explore Lilac City Records here! Anyone can stream music for free, even without a library card. Those with a library card can download tracks for offline listening.
