Music Direction
Define the musical point of view that gives your space its sound.
Diggin' for what connects us
We shape the sound of spaces people want to stay in.
Music direction for hotels, restaurants, bars, retail spaces and cultural destinations.
Sound as intentional as the space
Every detail shapes how a place feels.
You've thought about the furniture. The lighting. The menu. The drinks. The service. The people you want in the room.
But too often, music gets left until the end.
Someone makes a playlist. A streaming service fills the silence. A DJ gets booked without a clear idea of what they should actually sound like.
The result may be good music. But it doesn't necessarily sound like you.
We believe you should recognize a place with your eyes closed.
Curated sound✦Sonic identity✦Guest experience✦Music culture✦Curated sound✦Sonic identity✦Guest experience✦Music culture✦
What we do
Sound, shaped around your space.
Music Programming
Build daily listening, residencies, listening sessions, live performances and special events around that identity.
Talent Curation
Find the DJs, selectors, musicians and cultural collaborators who belong in your room.
Sonic Experiences
Create original concepts where music, hospitality, design and culture come together.
Introducing Sonic ID™
The musical identity of your space.
Our framework translates the story, culture and character of a place into a distinct musical point of view.
Define your Sonic ID
We start with the space—not the music.
We learn your story, audience, culture, design and hospitality experience, then translate them into a musical point of view.
Bring it to life
Your identity becomes the foundation.
We build playlists, programming calendars and residencies, and curate the people who can authentically express your sound.
Turn sound into experience
Then we go beyond programming.
We create signature music-led concepts that combine sound with hospitality, design and storytelling.
It answers the questions playlists can't.
- Who is this place for?
- What should it feel like?
- What culture does it carry?
- What stories should the music tell?
- How should the energy move throughout the day?
- What should people remember when they leave?
Selected environments
Built for the rhythm of real rooms.
From daylight dining to after-dark energy, every space asks for its own pace, references and point of view.
Featured listening
Hear what we're digging for.
Selections from our record bags—what we're playing and how we'd program a room.
From the crates
01How a Sonic ID sounds
02About us
Diggers at heart.
What began as a vinyl meetup—diggers trading records over food and wine—grew into releases, collaborations and countless gigs across NYC.
Open Crates stays true to its roots, turning community into a movement that brings soulful sonics to discerning hospitality spaces.
PROJECTS
Films, events and collaborations that grew out of the Open Crates community.
Your space already has a story
What does it sound like?
Open Crates helps you find the sound that belongs to your space—and turns it into something people can experience.