First Nations musicians, bands and producers across Australia are being invited to submit their music for First Sounds Volume 15, with submissions officially opening today, Tuesday 15 September.
A collaboration between the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) and Gadigal Information Service / Koori Radio (GIS), First Sounds provides a national platform connecting First Nations artists with Australia’s community radio network.
Since launching in 2020, First Sounds has released more than 14 volumes, with the initiative continuing to document and promote the breadth of contemporary First Nations music across the country. The project has delivered hundreds of tracks to radio presenters, with Volumes 10–14 generating more than 10,000 community radio spins over the past 12 months.
The latest volume will continue that work, bringing together music from artists working across genres including alt-pop, soul, rock, hip-hop, country and Blaktronica, while reflecting the stories, languages, cultures and connections to Country that sit at the heart of much First Nations music.
For artists, being selected offers exposure beyond the compilation itself. Successful applicants will appear on both digital releases and physical compilation CDs distributed directly to community radio stations around Australia through AMRAP, putting their music in front of broadcasters, tastemakers and audiences nationwide.
The impact of First Sounds can already be seen through artists who have featured on previous volumes. Filipino-Muruwari hip-hop artist DOBBY, who appeared on First Sounds Volume 1, went on to win an ARIA Award and reach No. 6 on the ARIA charts with his debut album Warrangu: River Story.
Community radio also plays an important role in supporting Australian music more broadly. Recent research led by Monash University and Griffith University found that Indigenous-led stations account for a third of the sector’s most Australian-music-intensive stations, highlighting the role community broadcasting continues to play in developing and connecting local First Nations talent with audiences.
For Volume 15, submissions will be reviewed by a panel bringing together First Nations artists, broadcasters, radio programmers and music industry professionals. The panel includes Thalia Skopellos, First Nations Project Coordinator at MusicNSW and producer and composer; Charlie Woods, artist and frontperson of Charlie Needs Braces; Gunai/Kurnai and Yorta Yorta artist, DJ and producer DJ PGZ, who is also a radio presenter at 3RRR; and Eora Sydney-based broadcaster Aaron Langford, presenter and producer at Koori Radio.
Charlie Woods, who has previously been featured twice on First Sounds, will join the selection panel for the first time for Volume 15.
“First Sounds means being connected to a community that recognises the power of our stories, culture and creativity,” Woods said. “It creates a space for mob to be heard, celebrated, and supported on our own terms.”
The panel will be looking for radio-ready tracks released within the past 18 months, with submissions open to First Nations musicians, bands and producers based in Australia.
First Sounds Volume 15 submissions are open from Tuesday 15 September until Tuesday 13 October 2026.
With its combination of national radio distribution, industry exposure and a focus on self-representation, First Sounds continues to provide an important pathway for First Nations artists to place their music directly in front of community broadcasters and listeners across Australia.
How to Apply
First Nations musicians from across Australia are invited to submit radio-ready tracks released within the last 18 months. Submissions will be reviewed and selected by an esteemed panel of First Nations artists, broadcasters, radio programmers and music industry professionals, bringing together decades of experience across music, radio, production and creative practice.
The panel includes Thalia Skopellos, First Nations Project Coordinator at MusicNSW and producer and composer; Charlie Woods, artist and frontperson of Charlie Needs Braces; Gunai/Kurnai & Yorta Yorta artist, DJ and producer DJ PGZ and radio presenter at 3RRR; and Eora Sydney-based broadcaster Aaron Langford, presenter and producer at Koori Radio. Together, the judges bring a deep understanding of First Nations music and culture, contemporary Australian music, radio and the evolving pathways for First Nations artists to connect with audiences.
Having been featured twice on First Sounds, Charlie Woods is thrilled to join the selection panel for Volume 15: “First Sounds means being connected to a community that recognises the power of our stories, culture and creativity. It creates a space for mob to be heard, celebrated, and supported on our own terms, and I am very excited to get the opportunity to listen to new music from mob, and support the next wave of great First Nations artists.”
Successful applicants will feature on both digital releases and physical compilation CDs distributed directly to stations nationwide via AMRAP.org.au, putting their sound in front of key taste-makers and community audiences across the country.
Submission Details:
Who can apply: First Nations musicians, bands, and producers based in Australia.
Eligibility: Radio-ready tracks released in the past 18 months.
Format & Distribution: Digital and physical CD distribution directly to community broadcasters nationwide via amrap.org.au.
Don’t miss the opportunity to take your music to national airwaves.
Submit your song and artist profile today to shape the next chapter of contemporary First Nations music.
Applications open from Tuesday 15 September to Tuesday 13 October 2026 via firstsounds.amrap.org.au
|
