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ABC Music

From Alfawiki
ABC Music
Company typeIndependent record label
IndustryMusic
Founded1974
Headquarters
Sydney
,
Australia
ProductsMusic recordings, audiobooks
ParentAustralian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Commercial)

ABC Music stands as Australia's foremost independent record label, functioning within the ABC Commercial sector of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Its repertoire encompasses a wide array of genres, including classical, children’s, adult contemporary, blues, roots, rock, and Australian country music. Among its imprints are ABC Classics and FOUR FOUR.

Previously operating as a distinct division, ABC Music Publishing managed the publication of compositions by various composers and songwriters until its catalogue was acquired in 2020/21 by Universal Music Publishing Group Australia & NZ.

Established in 1974, ABC Music ranks among the longest-standing and most productive independent labels in Australia. As a component of ABC Commercial, it channels all generated profits back into the wider ABC organization to support content development and uphold the mandates outlined in the ABC Charter.

Catalogue

ABC Music possesses Australia's largest catalogue among independent record labels, featuring an extensive range of genres such as country, classical, blues, roots, and rock.

The label has issued numerous albums in partnership with several ABC Radio stations and their programs. These include triple j's Hottest 100, Like A Version, House Party, One Night Stand, Beat The Drum, and 40 Years Of Music. Additionally, it has produced tribute albums honoring artists like Nick Cave and Paul Kelly.

Notable compilation series released by ABC Music consist of Countdown, rage, Hit Country, Beaut Ute, along with themed collections for ABC Kids. The label has also created special event albums such as His Life and Music, a live recording by Gurrumul accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Imprints

Operating under the ABC Music banner are several imprints, including FOUR FOUR, which concentrates on genres like reggae, ska, roots, world music, and rock.

ABC Classic

Founded in 1987 as an imprint of ABC Music, ABC Classic highlights Australia's premier classical artists, orchestras, and ensembles. Its releases are available on CD and streaming services such as Spotify. Since its inception, the label has earned more than 25 ARIA Awards for Best Classical Album.

Distinguished musicians associated with ABC Classic include Yvonne Kenny, Geoffrey Lancaster, Jayson Gillham, Richard Tognetti, Sara Macliver, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes, alongside ensembles like Omega Ensemble and Cantillation. The imprint places significant emphasis on Australian compositions, particularly through the Australian Composers Series conducted in partnership with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

FOUR FOUR

Launched in 2012, Four Four (stylised as FOUR || FOUR) is an active ABC Music imprint dedicated to genres such as reggae, ska, roots, world music, blues, folk, alternative rock, punk, indie, and Australian rock. Distributed by The Orchard, Four Four's early roster included ARIA Award-winning group Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

As of June 2021, artists signed to Four Four encompass:

Awards

By 2022, ABC Music had accumulated a total of 119 ARIA Music Awards across a range of categories since its inception in 1987.

Noteworthy Australian composers including Peter Sculthorpe, Richard Meale, Carl Vine, and Ross Edwards have been significant recipients. Several Australian orchestras, particularly the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, have also been honored multiple times. Performers such as soprano Yvonne Kenny and pianist Gerard Willems each boast two award wins.

Recent accomplishments feature albums reaching Number One on the ARIA Chart by artists like Lee Kernaghan and the Like a Version series from Triple J. At the 2020 AIR Awards, ABC Music earned the title of "Best Independent Label."

ABC Music Publishing

As of June 2021, ABC Music Publishing remains listed under ABC Commercial; however, its website is no longer active following the transfer of its catalogue to Universal Music Publishing Group Australia & NZ. Previously, it operated as an independent publisher representing leading Australian songwriters and screen composers, offering licensing solutions for film producers.

The publishing catalogue featured artists such as You Am I, Ruby Boots, Ben Salter, The Audreys, Sean O'Boyle, Juice Music, Tim Rogers, Davey Lane, Kit Warhurst, Amanda Brown, Rosie Westbrook, Sara Storer, among others.

Until January 2020, Marianna Annas headed ABC Music Publishing before moving to Sydney to serve as Vice President, Commercial & Creative at Universal Music Publishing Group Australia & NZ.

ABC Audio

ABC Audio stands as a prominent producer of audiobooks and other spoken word content, with distribution managed by Bolinda Audio Publishing.

Roster

ABC Music's artist roster comprises numerous leading Australian talents, including:

Additionally, the label issues music associated with ABC TV and Radio productions and personalities, such as:

  • triple j
  • Countdown
  • Recovery
  • Chris Lilley
  • Play School
  • Bananas in Pyjamas
  • Roy & HG
  • rage
  • Bondi Hipsters
  • Ian McNamara (Macca)
  • Rake

ABC Music has also distributed albums by international artists including:

  • Ozomatli
  • Terra Lightfoot
  • Soweto Gospel Choir
  • Aled Jones
  • Serena Ryder
  • Eric Bibb
  • Dean Brody
  • Emerson Drive
  • Tim Chaisson
  • Big Daddy Wilson
  • Gord Bamford
  • Tim Hicks

External links

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