First Sounds Volume 8 out now

Who’s ready for the next installation of First Sounds - bringing recent releases of independent First Nations recording artists to your community radio airwaves?



First Nations Media Australia’s indigiTUBE project and Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA)’s Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) have been at it again, partnering on the First Sounds project - sourcing entries of recently released tracks from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from across the country for this 8th volume of First Sounds promotional compilation CDs produced through the partnership since the first volume was produced in 2020.



First Sounds Vol.8 is the first of 3 compilations set for release in 2022 and will be distributed to over 200 community radio stations through Amrap’s CD Mailout service and will also be available, along with all tracks from previous volumes, on both the Amrap website and the indigiTUBE website and app.

Listen to First Sounds Vol. 8: on Amrap | on indigiTUBE

A panel of four First Nations established musicians and music industry professionals had the difficult task of selecting the tracks that feature on First Sounds Vol.8 from the number of high quality entries we have come to expect from the Nations’ talent.



This round of entries was so hotly contested that a total of 13 tracks have been selected for Vol.8, breaking the existing tradition of First Sounds featuring 12 tracks per release.



Entries for First Sounds Vol.9 will open towards the end of June, so stay tuned.



Mi-kaisha, whose track Brand New is the opening track of First Sounds Vol.8 had this to say about the selection of her track for the album:



"It's always such an honour to be part of projects by our Mob, for our Mob. It just makes me feel so proud of what our communities have built, the empires and the cultures that we are responsible for! I make music for my people and my community and to know that my music will reach more Mob through First Sounds VOL.8 is so exciting to me."



First Sounds Vol.8 includes tracks featuring 6 First Nations languages and the artists on the compilation together represent over 20 First Nations communities from across the continent.



The 13 tracks of featured on First Sounds Vol.8 spans genres, sharing stories that are personal, social, political and at times spiritual. From the mesmerising stripped back track Wanyarra from Carissa Nyalu sung in Dja Dja Wurrung, through to full band tracks such as Andrew Gurruwiwi Band’s irresistible debut Gatjumak fresh from the Yolŋu Nation and to the pop/hip hop collaboration of Akala Newman and BLACX with Spell on Me. First Sounds Vol.8 has something for everyone.



To date, First Sounds releases have featured over 80 incredible artists with even more, by way of those unselected entrants, also being featured on the Amrap site and indigiTUBE platform.