Unsigned Indigenous Artists Now on AirIT

Getting Indigenous music on the airwaves just became easier thanks to Amrap’s AirIT and AMIN.

The Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) and The Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN) are pleased to announce Australian Indigenous artists are the first unsigned artists eligible to access Amrap’s AirIT.

The partnership will see a number of Indigenous artists added to Amrap’s AirIT each month. The Indigenous artists are sourced and recommended by AMIN, whose member organisations are currently working with Indigenous artists in Queensland, The Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales.

AirIT is community radio’s exclusive catalogue of Australian music, curated by Amrap. Until now, artists available on AirIT were mostly signed to major or independent record labels. “Since launching AirIT in 2009, Amrap’s been working on ways to make it accessible to unsigned artists,” Amrap Manager Chris Johnson said. “We wanted Indigenous Australians to be the first group of unsigned artists eligible for AirIT and we’re really excited AMIN are so keen to help”.

Thirty two per cent (32%) of AirIT users already play Indigenous music on their radio shows, often sourcing the music direct from the artists. Through this new initiative, Amrap and AMIN will work together to make Indigenous music available on AirIT for all 300+ community stations and their broadcasters to order for airplay.

AMIN Chair Paul Bodlovich (WAM) said the project was a perfect fit with the organisation’s aim of supporting contemporary music from across the country.

“Our member organisations have been working hard to support and promote Indigenous talent, which means AMIN is in a unique position to provide a connection between these artists and important opportunities for exposure,” Mr. Bodlovich said. “We are eager to see this partnership continue to grow and we know it will provide real outcomes for unsigned, emerging Indigenous artists.”

Up to three tracks from every Indigenous release recommended by AMIN will be added to Amrap’s AirIT. One of the first unsigned Indigenous bands to benefit from the partnership is Queensland based soul and roots outfit Max Judo. Already AirIT users have shown a strong interest in their first single ‘What’s Going On’. The track is currently number three in the AirIT January ‘Ordered for Airplay’ chart, competing against acts such as Sarah Blasko, Bluejuice and the John Butler Trio.

With Indigenous artists leading the way, pathways for all unsigned Australian artists to access AirIT will be announced throughout 2010.
 

For more information on the AirIT program, visit www.amrap.org.

Published: 22 Jan 2010 by Q Music Newsdesk