Blogs

Best Before

A Sydney-based pop blog covering everything from locals to globals, with honest-to-goodness live reviews and everything.

David James Young

A fantastic writer and passionate scene supporter. DJY has had many podcasts and projects to his name, and his collected work at this site is well worth a read.

Sound Doctrine

Tommy Faith has long been writing one of the sharpest, wittiest music blogs in a time where there really aren't a lot of them. He's got an ear that can swiftly pull out novel music that deserves a listen - and he's not chasing trends, he's just vibing. We love Tommy.

The Creative Independent

An inspiring, no-bullshit initiative founded by former Pitchfork staffer Brandon Stosuy, featuring thoughtful and in-depth interviews with musicians and other creative folks.

Discord Communities

Aussie Wigglers

This Discord is a thriving bunch of modular synth nerds.

Spirit Level

Spirit Level is an artist-run label and collective of likeminded humans. Their Discord is a really lovely community of creative support.

Industry Resources

Live Performance Australia

The peak body for the live industry in Australia, representing everyone from promoters and artists to venues and educators.

MusicNSW

The not-for-profit NSW state body for contemporary music. Everything from funding and professional development to policy and advocacy.

Support Act

An incredible not-for-profit supporting music industry professionals with mental health services, crisis relief, and wellbeing programs.

Labels and Distros

Aquatic Lab

"Aquatic Lab is Australia’s first underground bass record label, and is recognised globally as one of the earliest international outposts of the UK dubstep sound."

Art As Catharsis

Astral People Recordings

Bird's Robe

Bird's Robe are synonymous with post-rock and progressive rock in Australia, along with a broad spectrum of other experimental genres. Some local artists on their roster include sleepmakeswaves, Solkyri and We Lost The Sea.

Dew Process

Extra Spicy

Future Classic

Half A Cow

The Hummingbirds! Art of Fighting! Kim Salmon! Crow! A venerated Aussie indie label with a lengthy roster.

Ivy League Records

Resist Records

Sweat It Out

Sydney City Chiptune Ministries

"Old and new chipmusic, modular soundscapes, demoscene tracker files, hardware jam tapes, outsider electronic drones, field recordings and other DIY scene-based music"

Niches

Emus (Exploratory Music in Sydney)

Experimental music radio show on Eastside 89.7fm also offers a comprehensive events calendar and newsletter.

Gigged Out

A Sydney directory of House and Techno events.

Sydney Blues Society Gig Guide

Sydney Jazz Club

This link takes you straight to their jazz-focused gig guide. Does what it says on the tin.

Utility Fog

Peter Hollo (Tangents, Fourplay, Raven, countless cello contributions for other musicians and projects) has been running the Utility Fog show on FBi Radio for nearly 20 years. He's an authoritative source on his domain of "postfolkrocktronica, dronenoise, power ambient, post-everything improv... and more?" and has been a fantastic promoter of the myriad of amazing artists in this space. Listen to the show, check the playlists, there's always something gobsmacking to get your ears into.

Radio

2SER

Eastside FM 89.7

Community radio station for the City of Sydney and Eastern Suburbs

FBi Radio

Koori Radio

Sydney’s only First Nations radio station, broadcasting 24/7 on FM and DAB+ from Redfern

Nomad

"Inner West to the rest" - a not-for-profit, volunteer-operated independent (and online-only) radio station. Broadcasting Thursday to Sunday, 12pm to 10pm. Features a Discord community.

Orbital

Broadcasting online out of Soundworks Studios in Marrickville.

Record Shops

19th Nervous Breakdown

Forest Lodge. From the people that brought you Black Wire Records.

Beatdisc Records

Parramatta

Birdland

CBD. Jazz and blues specialists.

Egg Records

Newtown

Halcyon Daze Records

Newtown

Papa Disquo

Newtown (basically Enmore)

Red Eye Records

CBD

Repressed Records

Newtown

Resist Records

Marrickville. Hardcore and Punk.

Something Else Records

Newtown

The Record Store

Surry Hills

The Vintage Record

Annandale

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Surry Hills and Barangaroo

Utopia Records

CBD 🤘

VERSE [fka Halfback Books and Records]

Dee Why