First Break is the search for unsigned Australian music talent run jointly by Commercial Radio Australia and the Mushroom Group.
 
Music and Program Directors from all major commercial radio networks, Mushroom Group personnel and music journalists, judged 128 entries from around the country – and the final five contenders is this year’s search have been announced today.
 
The final five are:
Alexandra Jae: 19 year old pop singer/songwriter (Melbourne)
Castlecomer: Five-piece pop/rock outfit (Sydney)
Indigo: Four-piece indie rock band (Mandurah)
Nova and the Experience: Brother and sister fronted indie pop four-piece (Newcastle)
The Royales: Indie rock three-piece (Brisbane).
 
Chairman of the Mushroom Group, Michael Gudinski said: “This was only the second year we’ve teamed up with commercial radio to search for the best unsigned acts in the country, and once again the quality of the acts that entered was amazing. Recordings of the final five sound fantastic, so we’re excited to see what they can do live.”
 
Commercial Radio Australia chief executive officer, Joan Warner said: “Judges from the radio industry were impressed with the high quality and diverse range of entries, which came in from all over Australia.”
 
The five finalists will perform live for network music directors and Mushroom executives next Friday, with the winner announced on December 12.
 
The 2013 First Break winner will receive:
 
• airplay support for two single releases and commercial radio airtime support for touring and marketing over 12 months, conservatively valued at $2 million;
• joint financing by commercial radio and the Mushroom Group for creating video clips, social media activation and on-road support to build a long term partnership with the chosen artist or band over twelve months;
• the opportunity to perform at the 2014 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) in front of 1200 radio and music industry figures.
 
Listen to the First Break final five here.