Independent label Dirty Hit expands into Australia [exclusive]

London-founded music label Dirty Hit is expanding, announcing the launch of its operations into Australia as part of its expansion into the Asia Pacific region.

Dirty Hit will launch a new Sydney office, and is also expanding into the US with an LA office.

Australian operations for the label, which was founded in 2010, will be overseen by former Sony Music executive Rachel Jones-Williams who takes on the role of general manager, Asia Pacific.

Dirty Hit are set to operate independently in Australia with the support of Ingrooves Music Group as a digital distribution partner, under a newly signed global deal.

“We are hugely excited to announce the opening of Dirty Hit Australia. This follows the launch of Dirty Hit USA which we have also now announced, Australia feels like the natural next step in the global expansion of the label,” Dirty Hit owner and founder Jamie Oborne said.

“Our ethos has always been to maintain and develop a roster of diverse and culturally important artists and an exciting and forward-thinking team with a distinctive identity.”

Dirty Hit’s UK Team / by Jenn Five

Dirty Hit has racked up a series of big milestones in the past year, being named Best Independent Label at the Music Week awards, and being home to The 1975 who released acclaimed double album NOTES ON A CONDITIONAL FORM.

The band headlined Laneway Festival and debuted at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia.

Other acts flourish over the past year include Beabadoobee and Rina Sawayama, and Oscar Lang, who is tipped for an exciting, upcoming release.

“We are excited to build upon these early successes and have huge ambitions for the future of the label here,” Oborne added.

“Having worked with Rachel for the past few years across much of our roster, we are delighted that she is joining the team and heading up Dirty Hit Australia.

“She brings with her a wealth of expertise and experience and is the perfect person to ensure we are offering our artists a truly global platform.”

New signings to the label over the past 12 moths have included Kasai, Bryce Hase, boyband, Leo Bhanji, Lowertown and BLACKSTARKIDS.

“I’m proud to be aligning myself with such a highly revered and artistically led label,” the incoming Rachel Jones-Williams said.

“I have a deep admiration for how Jamie has built the label to offer a secure space for artist development and I’m excited for what Dirty Hit can bring to this market, as well as what we can do for the local artist community as we look towards also building a domestic roster.”

Dirty Hit’s roster icnludes The 1975, Wolf Alice, Beabadoobee, Rina Sawayama, The Japanese House, Pale Waves, No Rome, Oscar Lang, 404 Guild, AMA, Beaux, Benjamin Frances Leftwich, Boyband, Bryce Hase, Leo Bhanji, Lowertown, Blackstarkids, Pretty Sick, Kasai, Sipho & Viji.

You can reach the Dirty Hit team at [email protected].