Submissions Now Open for 'First Sounds Volume 15'

Submissions are now officially open for First Sounds Volume 15, the annual music compilation highlighting First Nations artists from across the country.

A collaborative partnership between the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) and Gadigal Information Service/Koori Radio (GIS), the compilation, which is distributed to broadcasters around Australia, giving First Nations artists a great chance of getting radio airplay and connecting them with millions of listeners nationwide.

First launched in 2020, there have been 14 volumes of First Sounds, with hundreds of songs supported. Volumes 10-14 have generated upwards of 10,000 community radio spins in the past 12 months alone, highlighting just how important this compilation is.

For First Nations artists keen to apply, the process is simple: submit a radio-ready track that was released within the last 18 months here.

Submissions will be reviewed and selected by an esteemed panel of First Nations artists, broadcasters, radio programmers and music industry professionals that includes First Nations Project Coordinator at MusicNSW Thalia Skopellos, Charlie Needs Braces frontperson Charlie Woods, Koori Radio presenter and producer Aaron Langford and Gunai/Kurnai & Yorta Yorta artist, DJ, producer and radio presenter DJ PGZ.

Woods, who has featured on First Sounds twice before, is pumped to be part of the selection panel for the next instalment: "First Sounds means being connected to a community that recognises the power of our stories, culture and creativity. It creates a space for mob to be heard, celebrated, and supported on our own terms, and I am very excited to get the opportunity to listen to new music from mob, and support the next wave of great First Nations artists."

Successful applicants will feature on both digital releases and physical compilation CDs distributed directly to stations nationwide via AMRAP.org.au.

Submission Details:

• Who can apply: First Nations musicians, bands, and producers based in Australia.
• Eligibility: Radio-ready tracks released in the past 18 months.
• Format & Distribution: Digital and physical CD distribution directly to community broadcasters nationwide via amrap.org.au.

Applications are open now until Tuesday 13 October 2026 via firstsounds.amrap.org.au.

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Each edition of First Sounds has featured a diverse selection of artists from a wide range of genres, from alt-pop, soul and rock to hip hop to country and Blaktronica.

Acclaimed Filipino-Muruwari hip hop artist DOBBY, who featured on First Sounds Volume 1, said that appearing on the compilation was the catalyst behind his career taking off, leading to him winning an ARIA Award and reaching #6 on the ARIA charts with his debut album, Warrangu: River Story.

"Community radio is arguably the first point of call in terms of fostering artistry in the nation," DOBBY shared. "From a First Nations perspective, it is another vital link in the chain of Blak resistance and representation."

Submissions for First Sounds Volume 15 are now open until Tuesday 13 October 2026  via firstsounds.amrap.org.au.