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First Sounds Returns in 2024 with a New Partnership and Fresh First Nations Music

By CBAA Comms posted 26 days ago

  

We’re excited to announce the return of First Sounds in 2025, with an exciting new partnership between the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) and Gadigal Information Service / Koori Radio (GIS). This new collaboration builds on the foundation set by previous First Sounds editions, which have successfully shared the songs and stories of First Nations artists with community radio listeners across the country.

Submit Your Songs!

This partnership between CBAA and GIS marks an exciting new chapter for First Sounds, continuing its mission to amplify First Nations voices while opening new pathways for the next generation of First Nations artists.

First Nations artists from anywhere in the country are invited to submit radio-ready songs now! Send your song and some information about yourself or your band to the First Sounds entry portal: firstsounds.amrap.org.au

Submissions close 11 November 2024.

About First Sounds

First Sounds has been instrumental in giving First Nations musicians a platform through community radio, offering nationwide exposure via 10 CD compilations and digital releases since 2020. Now, the initiative is relaunched for 2025 with two curated compilations of emerging First Nations talent. These compilations, featuring selections by a panel of First Nations industry figures will be released over a six-month period on amrap.org.au, mailed to community broadcasters, and promoted through dedicated marketing campaigns.

Boox Kid (real name Jarred Wall) was previously an artist on First Sounds and had a valuable experience being part of it: 'It was a real privilege being involved in a number of the First Sounds compilations. There's an abundance of talented mob out there and to have a platform where audiences from all demographic can access and engage is fantastic. It's allowed my music to be delivered to regional and remote areas and audiences. I can't stress enough how important initiatives like this are for mob within the industry to amplify our voices'. 

Artists appearing on First Sounds have typically received wide-ranging airplay, features on the CBAA and AMRAP websites, and thorough airplay reporting. Each release will be backed by a full-scale marketing push, with CBAA and GIS working together to make sure these emerging voices reach a wide audience.

About Gadigal Information Service

Gadigal Information Service (GIS) brings a rich history to First Sounds, being a leading Aboriginal arts and media organisation since 1993. Home to Koori Radio 93.7fm, GIS has been at the heart of Indigenous broadcasting, reaching listeners across Greater Sydney and beyond. GIS also delivers a wide range of cultural and development programs, including the iconic Yabun Festival, the Young Black and Deadly youth development program, and Klub Koori, a live music initiative aimed at supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. GIS has recently re-launched the Kameygal Recording and Rehearsal Studio in Redfern.

About AMRAP

Community radio is typically where Australian artists get their first airplay. The Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) gets Australian music via amrap.org.au to over 400 community radio stations nationwide, both on air and online to make that happen. Thanks to AMRAP, Australian artists make up 37% of all music played on community radio.


This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

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