Media Release | Pierce the Silence with First Sounds Volume 8!

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia and First Nations Media Australia continue their collaboration on the First Sounds series of compilations featuring new music from independent First Nations artists from around Australia. FIRST SOUNDS Vol.8 is calling for track entries in any genre from independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians who want to be heard on community radio airwaves and featured by indigiTUBE.

Since launching in 2020, seven First Sounds volumes have been released with featured tracks representing vast regions, Indigenous nations, languages, and perspectives. To date, First Sounds has featured over 70 First Nations artists and brought 84 deadly tracks to the forefront!

Each First Sounds artist is featured on the indigiTUBE platform as well as their music being distributed to over 250 community radio stations in both digital and CD formats via CBAA’s Amrap. The response has been epic with many artists receiving solid airplay, often for the first time.

“I think indigiTUBE and First Sounds compilations are some of the best because it gives artists that might not have that exposure more of a chance to get out and be heard.” Jamahl Ryder, First Sounds Vol. 2 artist.

In 2021 the First Sounds project went beyond promotion to support emerging First Nations artists to launch music careers through a mentoring program which connected First Sounds artists with key music industry contacts and one-on-one mentoring with established First Nations Artists such as Emily Wurramara and Mau Power.

2022 will see three Volumes of First Sounds compiled and released, showcasing a total of 36 new tracks from talented First Nations musicians. As well as the three new volumes, indigiTUBE are currently working on a documentary project profiling the stories and music of 5 First Nations musicians who have featured on First Sounds so far. Stay tuned!

All eligible entries are listened to by a selection panel of leading First Nations music industry professionals who will select the twelve tracks to feature on First Sounds Vol.8.

Submissions are open now and close on Monday 4 April 2022. Head to firstsounds.indigitube.com.au to enter.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

-ENDS-

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia is Australia’s peak body for community broadcasting, an internationally recognised, not-for-profit organisations supporting over 450 community radio stations across Australia.
cbaa.org.au

First Nations Media Australia is the national peak body for the First Nations media and communications industry, supporting the maintenance of language and culture, self-representation, community development and cultural safety through media practice.
firstnationsmedia.org.au