The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) has launched Community Radio: Our National Sound, a new podcast featuring Australian artists speaking about the vital role community radio has played in their careers and in sustaining Australian music culture. It accompanies the landmark national research project Community Music Radio: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem, which maps the cultural, social and economic contribution of community music radio across Australia.
Artists featured include Sarah Blasko, L-FRESH The LION, Mo’Ju, DOBBY, Bad//Dreems, Body Type and Annie Hamilton.
Body Type said:
“The fans that are intentionally turning the dial are the ones that are going to be buying the vinyl and coming to the show; they’re an engaged, valuable fan.”
Led by Associate Professor Shane Homan (Monash University), Professor Susan Forde (Griffith University) and Professor Heather M Anderson (Monash University) and conducted in partnership with the CBAA, the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF), Creative Australia and APRA AMCOS, together, the podcast and research paint a picture of community radio as a critical discovery platform, career launchpad and cultural institution, essential to the future of Australian music.
Artists featured in the podcast describe community radio as an irreplaceable part of Australia’s music ecosystem with the research also highlighting the role of Indigenous community music stations, which make up one-third of the country’s most music-intensive stations.
ARIA-winning rapper and drummer DOBBY said:
“From a First Nations perspective, that is another link in the chain of black resistance and black representation.”
The research highlights a need to revalue community radio within Australia’s music landscape and to strengthen support for the sector to ensure that younger artists and audiences continue to engage with local music culture. The podcast is a celebration of that national sound.
Community Radio: Our National Sound is available now wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Sarah Blasko image: Mclean Stephenson
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