News
Label Spotlight | August - ABC Music
Aug 06, 2025
ABC Music is one of Australia’s largest and longest-running independent music labels. Over the last four decades they’ve collected 128 ARIA Awards, 128 Golden Guitar Awards, 24 AIR Awards, multiple ARIA Chart #1 albums, and were named Independent Record Label Of The Year in both 2025 by the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR). They are dedicated to encouraging and amplifying a diverse range of artists from around Australia and the world.
ABC Music operates under the commercial arm of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, with all profits invested back into funding the great content the ABC is known for.
When was ABC Music founded?
A very interesting question, ABC has been recording music for a very long time and we mark the mid 70s where the ABC started making these recording available commercially.
What draws you to an artist and how do you decide who you work with?
Fiona: “First and foremost, incredible songs that I connect to, and that I can see others do too. I feel drawn to artists who are uniquely & unapologetically themselves and make music that reflects that. Beyond that, it’s important to me to have a genuine connection with the artists I work with, and a clear shared vision and goals, where we know exactly how we can add value to the individual artist or band’s career or project.” Jenny: “Obvious answer perhaps but the songs are the first thing that draw me to an artist; especially if they are the songwriters as well. If the songs have got my attention and they cement this with their live performance then it comes down to do our goals and vision align for where they want to go and do we think we can get them there. It also helps if they are good, hard working people.” Asho: “Great songs, great live show and work ethic top the list for me. It’s harder than ever to be remarkable and it really stands out. Truth be told, we are looking for aliens.”
What genres do you mainly work with at ABC Music?
We work across many genres including Adult Contemporary, Alternative, Children’s, Classical, Country, Blues & Roots, Jazz, Rock, Singer songwriter & Bogan Funk lol. We work across ABC Brands such as triple j, ABC Classic & ABC Kids.
What are some of the challenges you face as an independent label?
Breaking an artist is so different in this ever evolving landscape we work in, having the right team and knowledge is so important in a small team. The role of a great label is to help facilitate emotional connection between the artist and the audience. Making those connections are becoming more challenging on every level.
What advice would you give someone considering starting their own independent label?
I think start small and within your expertise before you branch out. Surround yourself with good people that you trust and have common goals but are different to you as diverse thinking is needed in a small team.
Align yourself with an artist that you believe in on every level.
Are any exciting new releases or tours coming up?
Fiona: “I am counting down the weeks till Playlunch’s ‘Sex Ed’ – album release & tour in September!! It’s musically such an impressive and ambitious project, and lyrically will make you laugh till you cry. And I’m absolutely swooning over Emily Wurramara’s latest single ‘Adore Me’ – I will never get that melody out of my head and I love hearing Em’s sound continue to evolve. ❤”Jenny: “The country roster has been jam packed with releases this calendar year; next on the horizon is the new studio album from The Wolfe Brothers, one of our leading country acts. And then a slew of new singles from the likes of Max Jackson, Andrew Swift, Tyla Rodrigues and Emmagen Rain.” Asho: “I love the diversity of our roster and am looking forward to new releases from The Wiggles, Kingswood, The Black Sorrows, Flynn Gurry and Justine Clarke”. Also can’t wait for upcoming shows from Playlunch and Melbourne Ska Orchestra”.
What do you think is the next disruption/opportunity for the independent recorded music sector?
We all know we are facing AI as a disruption and an opportunity; I think it is one of the biggest disruptions we have seen in a long time. We are still feeling the ramifications of COVID on a generation of potential music lovers. Falling in love with bands was a rite of passage for young people. 2020 – 23 disrupted that connection between young adults and music. The cost of living and fall of many festivals has been a flow on of this disruption."