ABOUT.

Established in 2007 The A&R Department is Australia’s longest running indie artist platform and has been dedicated to supporting both emerging and established Australian artists, ensuring that their creative and business practices align with their musical ambition. We are constantly seeking out new ways to expand the reach of Australian independent music and to find the ears of audiences around the globe. We look to work with passionate and innovative individuals, both with the musicians and companies we work with. Within the ever-changing dynamics of the music industry, there’s one thing that has never changed, and that is the art of writing a special song.

Our current team have been working together for a few years now and collaborate well together on all releases. We are all passionate music people with the skills and knowledge to help artists develop on many fronts. For example: Publicity campaigns, A&R advice with songs or production contacts, Label Manager advice and coordination with your release strategy and artwork, Distribution, Publishing and Sync pitching and Accounting and Legal contacts.

Work With Us!

Indie artists we’ve worked with in the past:

HARTS artist management — **HARTS**

After an EP, an album and multiple single releases through A&R as part of both management and release packages, Harts has played just about every Aussie festival in existence. Features from Rolling Stone, NME and The Guardian saw his singles from the Breakthrough EP reach triple j’s #1.

COG musician marketing — **COG**

Internationally renowned COG have an ongoing relationship with The A&R Dept. Acting as a custodial label and marketing agent, The A&R Dept helps to maintain this ARIA winning band’s audience through Label management, distribution and digital marketing.

SAFIA music management — **SAFIA**

“Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues” was released through the now retired Indie Release Package which saw the track climb to the top 100 on the ARIA charts. They went on to record “Take Me Over” with Peking Duk which received a 2x platinum certification. They’ve recently signed with iconic label Parlophone.

MEG-MAC record label Australia — **MEG MAC**

Now one of Australia’s leading international artists, Meg Mac developed and released her debut single “Known Better” through A&R’s Indie Release Package. Went top 10 on Hype Machine and went on to garner attention from top international labels signing with 300 Entertainment, playing SxSW, and nearly selling out her first national Australian headlining tour.

Rinrin music distribution — **RINRIN**

RinRin worked with The A&R Dept. develop a roll out for her EP via the first iteration of the Advance Package. In the process she secured Management, Triple J Unearthed features and spent weeks on the AMRAP Charts and building a great audience for EP. The EP went on to secure Editorial playlists on Spotify.

The Dreggs lonely lands booking agent — **THE DREGGS**

Since engaging A&R’s Indie Release Package, The Dreggs have gone on to build a reliable fanbase, secure management and booking agents and develop sustainable release-and-tour strategies.

OLY Sherman music distribution — **OLY SHERMAN**

Soulful indie songwriter Oly Sherman ran a successful campaign through The A&R Dept. in 2017. He has since gone on to build his independence, receiving spins on Triple J, his first international shows in Japan and his national tour of 40+ shows. He has recently joined BlackYak management to take his career to the next level.

thebuoys music publishing — **THE BUOYS**

Sydney’s fuzzy four-piece worked with The A&R Dept. in 2018 to great success across radio and online. Performing on Balcony TV and securing international radio syndication and quick support from major indie radio domestically. After The Buoys made their BigSound debut they went on sign with Spunk Records and develop a management deal.

**FIFTH DAWN**

After becoming finalists in Unearthed High, Fifth Dawn worked with The A&R Dept on their album Duality which has found a dedicated fanbase. Since that time Fifth Dawn continue to work with The A&R Dept engageing management and the previous version of the Advance Package to secure placements on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Playlists on consecutive single releases.

Montreals music distribution — **THE MONTREALS**

Adelaide Indie-rockers The Montreals found great success with their Indie Release Package with a premiere on Rolling Stone and featured on Triple J. They’ve gone on to successfully sync on Netflix series, independently run interstate tours and support The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Studio Partners

Our Recording Studio Partners can work alongside our services to help our achieve your musical goals!

A Melbourne-based studio run by Torsten Gustavsson and Chas Maher - They focus on drawing out the best of an artist and their works, utilising a distinct hybrid of vintage analogue gear and digital recording mediums.
A Sydney-based studio as part of the Antipodes Music Group. Mix24 is run by Eamon O’Kane, the in house producer / engineer working in a hybrid studio centred around an AMS-Neve console.
Pavement Studios is run by Lance Robinson- a producer and multi-instrumentalist songwriter based in Perth, Australia. Lance specialises in Top line writing and producing bands. Lance has produced and co-written with international artists working on song arrangement, choosing parts and overall artistic direction