Australian Independent Record Labels Association

01/09/2026

This week in the charts we have debuts from Miss Kaninna, NERVE - AUS, Queenie, Dean Lewis, Crooked Colours, Adam Newling, The Lazy Eyes, Epicure, Brittany Elise, and Darren Middleton.

Read all about a busy week of debuts over on our site
https://air.org.au/news/features/this-week-in-the-charts-31st-august-2026

01/09/2026

AIR is excited to announce our MAICC Round 1 FY 2026-2027 recipients who will be representing their Labels and Artists at conferences around the world including,

AmericanaFest
Amsterdam Dance Event
Reeperbahn Festival
Music Matters

The 2026/2027 MAICC program has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal Arts Investment and advisory body.

31/08/2026

The WIN Worldwide Independent Network has published their Annual Report 2025-26, and this one is special 🥂!

As WIN celebrates 20 years of bringing together the global independent music community, this report looks back at two decades of collective action while highlighting a year of growth, connection and advocacy.

🌍 40 trade associations across 46 territories and 5 continents with 3 new associations joining the network this year.

🤝 A renewed leadership team, bringing stronger regional representation as WIN enters its third decade.

🤖 Work on AI, from defending copyright and opposing harmful exceptions to advancing licensing frameworks based on consent, transparency and fairness.

⚖️ Underlining the international nature of the risks of market consolidation and challenging the acquisition of Downtown by Universal Music Group Global.

🌏 New BRIDGE project addressing the digital divide across APAC, LATAM and WANA with research, tools, and a new WANA working group.

🔗 1,800+ independent music businesses connected through WINHUB since its launch in 2022, 10 years of WINCON, and the continued growth of WIN Supporters.

📖 Read the WIN Annual Report 2025-26. Link in bio/stories.

27/08/2026

This week's feature video is the cinematic new clip from The Grogans for explosive new track 'Reasons', the first new offering from the band in 2026.

Check out the video here:

REASONSDirector / DOP: Sam BrumbyCam Op: Conrad BergmanWritten b...

26/08/2026

This weeks feature artist Miss Kaninna flaunts ability to create space to rouse rage and joy in equal measure.

On latest mixtape BLACKPRINT; �6 tracks - serve as a vehicle for rage and joy rooted in hip-hop, moving between funk/soul/R&B, rock, punk, garage, club and beyond.

Read more about it over on our site!

Feature: Miss Kaninna - Blackprint 25 Aug 2026 MISS KANINNA, is a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali sovereign woman.Sharing her long-awaited mixtape BLACKPRINT: 6 tracks - serving as a vehicle for rage and joy rooted in hip-hop, moving between funk/soul/R&B, rock, punk,...

25/08/2026

Miss out attending Indie-Con this year? D Jobling saw the strength of independent music across the music industry, as far as community radio.

25/08/2026

AIR would like to extend congratulations to Sunday Lemonade, Ambition Music & the team behind the highly successful release of debut album 'The Forest To The Sea'.

The duo secured their first debut on AIR's 100% Independent Albums chart, entering our charts at #2!

This week's feature artist Sunday Lemonade reveal a vibrant mix of country, folk, rock & roots influences, on latest release 'Pancakes'.

The single also marks the duo's first release since signing with Ambition Entertainment.

Read all about Pancakes and what lays ahead for the duo in 2026 over on our site: https://air.org.au/news/features/sunday-lemonade-pancakes

19/08/2026

This week’s feature artist Sweet Talk Music carry the swagger of Southern rock and the storytelling heart of Americana, but bent through their own lens, one that lets the red dust and late-night grit of Australia seep into every note.

Read all about their latest single ‘No Vacancy’ over on our site: https://air.org.au/news/features/feature-sweet-talk-no-vacancy

19/08/2026

Congratulations to Sebastian Chase, the recipient of our 2026 Outstanding Achievement Awards sponsored by Merlin.

Sebastian has made a significant and lasting contribution to Australia's Independent recording sector and was a co-founder of AIR and founder of Metropolitan Groove Merchants.

It was an honour and delight to personally hand him his award today. Sebastian has our gratitude and respect.

19/08/2026

From artists to label managers at Australia’s biggest independent record labels, Indie-Con 2026 was jam packed with insight for everyone!