Gadigal Information Service / Koori Radio (GIS) and the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) are thrilled to announce First Sounds Volume 11, continuing the collaborative series of compilations featuring new and emerging First Nations artists from around Australia. Launched in 2020, First Sounds has amplified the voice and stories of more than 130 independent First Nations artists on hundreds of community radio stations, now reaching more listeners than ever. Curated by a team assembled by GIS/Koori Radio from close to 100 song submissions, First Sounds Volume 11 contains an incredible breadth of talent from across the vast expanse of the country, spanning folk, acoustic pop, R n’ B, hip hop, electronica, hard rock and roots tunes.
Gamilaroi woman Aimee Hannan’s Black In The Sun captures an essence of First Nations artists making music today:
“I wrote this song for my Nana, this is her story – to not only remember what was lost but the thought of hope for our future. We are proud of who we are.”
First Sounds Volume 11 will be distributed to over 250 community stations for airplay via CD and digitally through the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) on amrap.org.au, an initiative of the CBAA dedicated to getting new Australian to the airwaves.
Stay tuned for news on First Sounds Volume 12. The callout for entries will be announced in March for a June release.
We hope you enjoy and support First Sounds Volume 11!
Broadcasters can preview and download these tracks with a free AMRAP account - check out the tracklist here.
First Sounds Volume 11 tracklist:
- BOSSIN' – Yung Milla (Garramilla/Darwin)
- Cut Me Up – Kayps (Boorloo/Perth)
- Never Again – Kaybee (Naarm/Melbourne)
- Sunburn – Kaytlyn Johnson (Naarm/Melbourne)
- Black In The Sun – Aimee Hannan (Gamilaroi/Tamworth)
- Home – Grace Alexandra (Caboolture/Kabultur/Moreton Bay/Kabi Kabi)
- Bundarra – Djawarray (Gimuy/Cairns)
- Still Tea – Stellar Moon (Yawuru/Broome)
- My Vision – Seaning (Garramilla/Darwin)
- New Beginnings – Ian Buller (Gimuy/Cairns)
- Dyarrubin – Charlie Needs Braces (Naarm/Melbourne)
- Wilt – Waari (Naarm/Melbourne)
- Sweet Sugar – Joey Leigh Wagtail (Redcliffe/Gubbi Gubbi)
- Golden – Lemonise (Sydney/Gadigal)
- New Flag – Armstrong Incorporated (Katherine Gorge/Nitmiluk)
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.