More than 100 local bands and music industry speakers congregated in Downtown Santa Barbara this past weekend at the New Noise Santa Barbara Music Conference & Festival.

Held last Thursday through Saturday at the Canary Hotel, the three-day street festival featured block parties, art exhibits, a music and technology conference, food and drinks, along with live music from a lineup of over 55 local artists. The New Noise Music Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2009, aims to act as a creative medium by which Santa Barbara residents, particularly youths, can engage in music through the foundation’s established events, including concerts, workshops, lectures and volunteering programs.

PETER VANDENBELT / DAILY NEXUS

According to Ruben Zarate, lead singer for Dante Elephante (pictured above), the surf-pop band from Santa Barbara plans to release a seven-inch record with UCSB radio station, KCSB. “KCSB’s starting our record label, so we’re releasing a seven inch with them, and then we’re going to start recording in November for our full length and then hit the road,” Zarate said.