Bad Apples sets up distribution division for First Nations acts

Bad Apples Music, founded by rapper Briggs, has set up a new distribution division.

Bad Apples Distro will concentrate on working with unsigned names.

Coco Eke, Bad Apples label manager, says of the expansion: “We are excited to be able to offer this service to artists locally and across the country.

“The talent and diversity of Indigenous music has for a long time been immense, and we will continue to charge all artists connected to the Bad Apples family with independence, whilst supporting them to achieve their best within the industry.”

The company adds that it has “the means to forge a pathway for artists with cultural integrity, to offer a unique opportunity for the world to access an Indigenous experience through excellent music.

“Focussed on supporting artists who are currently unsigned to the label, Bad Apples Distro is another way First Nations artists can own their story, their careers, their future – at the highest level.”

With the mainstream profile and commercial success of First Nations artists growing, especially in the wake of the weekly national indigenous charts, the sector has drawn many new acts.

The first release on Bad Apples Distro is the second album from award-winning Melbourne modern soul band The Deans of Soul.

Following up is the third single from ‘Way Back Home’ by Victorian Music Award nominees, indie rock act Key Hoo, to be launched at Melbourne’s The Tote on Thursday, October 31.

The Deans (formerly The Grenadines) are a sou band from Melbourne who won The Age Music Victoria award for best indigenous act in 2014.

The males in the ranks include singer-songwriter and guitarist Linc Yow Yeh from Brisbane. Gippsland drummer Bradley Boon,, Tasmanian bassist Nick Larkins while the female members, dubbed The Deanettes are singers Sophie Dickson and Sophie Elsworth, keyboards player Phoebe Elsworth, and horn players Emelia Wilmot and Basil Byrne.

Key Hoo, inspired by R&B and hip hop names, have been performing at Groovin’ The Moo, SongHubs First Nation, Changes, Victorian NAIDOC Ball and NAIDOC in the city.