First Sounds Volume 9 Now Open for Submissions

The First Nations Media Australia's indigiTUBE project and Amrap are pleased to announce that First Sounds Volume 9 is open for submissions. Entries are open now and close on Monday 18 July. Head to firstsounds.indigitube.com.au to enter.

Independent First Nations artists from around Australia are invited to enter music released track entries in any genre over the past 2 years to be considered for inclusion on this ninth compilation volume of First Sounds.  The First Sounds project aims to support independent First Nations artists and their music to receive increased community radio play and broader recognition and opportunity.

All eligible First Sounds entries are assessed and 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.9.

Each eligible entrant to First Sounds artist will be featured on the indigiTUBE platform and Amrap website. Those artists whose tracks are selected for the First Sounds Volume 9 also have their music distributed to over 250 community radio stations in CD format via CBAA’s Amrap CD Mailout. The response to the previously released volumes of First Sounds has been very strong with many artists receiving solid airplay, often for the first time.

Since launching in 2020, eight First Sounds volumes have been released with featured tracks representing vast regions, Indigenous nations, languages, and perspectives. To date, First Sounds has featured over 80 First Nations artists and brought 97 deadly tracks to the forefront.

From Carissa Nyalu, First Sounds Vol. 8 and  Vol.6 feature artist:

“It is a real honour to have Wanyarra selected for First Sounds. To have this song reach new audiences through the project and community radio is so important to me as it showcases Dja Dja Wurrung language and creates awareness that we are still here as a living culture. It also plays a part in revitalising our language”.

Three volumes of First Sounds will be compiled and released, showcasing over 36 new tracks from talented First Nations musicians. First Sounds Vol. 9 is the second of those. Aside from the three new volumes, indigiTUBE are finalising a film documentary project profiling the stories and music of five First Nations musicians who have featured on First Sounds so far. There are also plans underway fro an exclusive showcase performance opportunity for First Sounds artists, aligned with one of the biggest events in the Australian music calendar. Stay tuned for more!

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