5 labels crafting the Melbourne sound
1 Milk! Records Artists you know: Courtney Barnett, Jen Cloher, Fraser A Gorman, Loose Tooth
Milk’s blood runs deep through Melbourne’s alt rock scene, in most part because it’s run by two figurehead artists, Courtney Barnett and Jen Cloher. Set up in 2012 as a vehicle for Barnett to release her first EP I’ve Got a Friend Called
Emily Ferris, Milk not only release albums but also curate special events, compilations, collaborations and limited edition vinyls. àmilk. milkrecords.com.au.
2 Liberation Artists you know: Dan Sultan, Vance Joy, World’s End Press, Emma Louise
Formed in 1999 by Mushroom’s Michael Gudinski, Liberation is an independent label dedicated to signing and nurturing artists for the big wig labels around the world. They do a great deal to promote young up-and-comers overseas, but still have their roots in classic Aussie acts, representing the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Adalita and Archie Roach. àliberation. com.au.
3 Pieater Artists you know: #1 Dads, Big Scary, Airling, Tom Snowdon
A bedroom label that has well and truly upgraded to a living room label in the past few years, Pieater is run by Big Scary’s Tom Iansek and Joanna Syme, alongside their manager Tom Fraser. The label currently manage bands and release records, and they have ambitions to use that music to build schools through their Song for a School campaign. àpieater. net.
4 LISTEN Records Artists you know: Pikelet, Hi-tec Emotions, Biscotti
LISTEN Records does a great deal to bring the underground overground. Dedicated to supporting and promoting female and LGBTQIA+ artists from across the country,
LISTEN Records emerged from the LISTEN project, a hands-on vehicle to increase diversity in the music industry. Under the guidance of director Chloe Turner, this little label family is opening avenues for a more gender diverse music scene. àlistenrecords. com.au.
5 Chapter Music Artists you know: Dick Diver, NO ZU, Laura Jean, Twerps
Chapter Music is helmed by Guy Blackmore and Ben O’connor, two dudes who are super passionate about the local underground scene. Unearthed in 1992, Chapter has done most of the work in bringing Melbourne’s DIY jangle scene to international acclaim. àchaptermusic. com.