Label Spotlight - June | Disruptive Entertainment

Founded in 2019, Disruptive Entertainment (DE) has played a pivotal role in discovering and developing emerging Australian artists. Through its in-house recording facility, Glebe Studios, the label provides professional recording and mixing services alongside strategic support for digital marketing and artist development. For AIR's June Label Spotlight the team caught up with James from Distruptive Entertainment to learn more..

HOW WAS DISRUPTIVE ENTERTAINMENT CREATED? WHAT IS  DISRUPTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ALL ABOUT?

Disruptive Entertainment was created in response to a shift in the music industry. I saw first-hand that traditional major labels were becoming increasingly risk-averse, leaving many talented emerging artists without the support needed to develop and break through. Disruptive Entertainment was established to fill that gap - creating a label model that prioritises artist development, creative identity, and long-term growth.

We work with artists at critical early stages of their careers - from those preparing to release their first music, through to artists on the verge of broader commercial success. The label embraces calculated risk-taking, backing artists based on their unique sound, vision and growth potential rather than data metrics alone.

The label combines high-quality creative output, utilising our beautiful studio in Glebe, with intelligent and informed use of social media to drive discovery, engagement and long-term fan growth. Ultimately, Disruptive Entertainment exists to provide emerging artists with the infrastructure, expertise and industry connections they need to realise their full potential - creatively and commercially.

WHAT WAS THE MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED YOU WANTED TO START A LABEL? WAS IT WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO OR DID SOMETHING ELSE LEAD TO IT?

I have a long background in music, having studied at LIPA in Liverpool, UK and working for the first 20 years in the UK as a mixer and producer. Across this time, I learnt from the best in the industry and have been part of teams in creating award winning project  with artists including Arctic Monkeys, Rudimental, The Wombats and OneFour. Inspired by legendary Indie A&R bosses such as Alan McGee (Creation Records), Tony Wilson (Factory Records) and Alan Wills (Deltasonic).

When I moved to Australia, I knew I had been extremely fortunate to have accumulated valuable experience and knowledge and I ought to be sharing this with emerging artists.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST WAYS FOR A LABEL TO SUPPORT THEIR ARTISTS?

I think it is about genuine end-to-end support. One of the unique value-adds of Disruptive Entertainment is that we have our own studio in Glebe, Sydney.

This means that DE can work with our artists from production through to promotion, and we connect our artists with the right people across the process. DE artists therefore have support at every stage of the process - spanning A&R, songwriting, production, mixing, visual identity, digital strategy, release planning, marketing and press.

This wrap-around approach allows artists to not only create high-quality music, but also to develop a clear brand, connect with audiences, and navigate the complexities of the modern music landscape.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN ARTIST AND THEIR INDEPENDENT LABEL

Trust and honesty. It's important to manage expectations and be clear about the goals and the work required to achieve them. Artists also need to see that the label is proactively working in tandem with them to enhance their art.

ANY ADVICE TO OTHERS WANTING TO WORK IN THE INDEPENDENT SECTOR?

Despite the challenges the industry presents, the overall playing field has been levelled and huge advantages are being afforded to the independent sector. As an independent label, it is key to recognise what those advantages are and take full advantage of them – such as the ability to be much more agile and reactive than a major label with a chain of decision makers. We can also take much bigger and bolder creative risks and again, taking influence from the Alan McGee’s & Tony Wilsons, we kind of owe it to the artists to stir things up and create noise.

WHAT ARE YOU DRAWN TO WHEN YOU DECIDE TO SIGN AN ACT?

An authentic voice and style. And an artist who is driving culture and taking advantage of this new levelled playing field with the gatekeepers and barriers to fans removed.

DO YOU HAVE ANY EXCLUSIVE NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT DISRUPTIVE ENTERTAINMENT?

Two new signings to be announced next month…

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT LABELS AND ARTISTS?

Perhaps for the first time, the amount of effort put in can genuinely influence and be measured against success, it’s back in our hands.

WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING AT DISRUPTIVE ENTERTAINMENT?

This month we have seen the release of Jasmine Golden's second single - Draw You.
I spoke about the importance of an authentic voice and style above, Jasmine Golden absolutely embodies this. If you're wanting to listen to an indie pop song that you can't help but smile through, then take a listen of 'Draw You'! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FROM DISRUPTIVE ENTERTAINMENT