Music Bound

Music Bound is a national investment to turn up the volume on Indigenous music in the mainstream music industry.

The depth and breadth of Indigenous music is vast; from traditional styles to hip hop, today Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music knows no bounds.

However, participation in the mainstream music industry can be difficult for Indigenous artists.  Many Indigenous artists need support to access the information and resources to achieve their aspirations and fully participate and profile themselves at market opportunities.

Music Bound began in 2005 as one of the Australia Council's strategic initiatives for artform development.  In 2007 Music Bound was given additional support by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts board to continue until 2009.

Music Bound aims to increase Indigenous access, employment, acceptance and acknowledgement in the mainstream music industry.

Since its creation, Music Bound has been working with industry bodies and at a state level to create networks and partnerships that will help build the profile and strength of Indigenous music in Australia.

Music Bound aims to increase Indigenous access, employment, acceptance and acknowledgement in the mainstream music industry.

Strategic partners

Music Bound has been working with partner organisations. Creating Indigenous music coordinator positions and findingways to raise the profile of Indigenous musicians, both nationally and internationally have been the key priorities of the partnerships. The current partner organisations are:

• Australian Performing Right Association (APRA)
• Terrasphere (VIC)
• Goolarri Media Enterprises (WA)
• West Australian Music Inc (WA)
• Abmusic (WA). 

National Indigenous music coordinator 

In August 2007 at a meeting with strategic partners in Darwin the need for a national Indigenous music coordinator was identified. The creation of the role within the Australia Council  has led to increased consultation with the industry and a series of roundtable forums dedicated to finding links among those working in the field and identifying future industry development opportunities.

For more information on Music Bound or the roundtable discussions contact national Indigenous music coordinator Fred Gesha.