Michael Gudinski unveils boutique label Reclusive Records: ‘There will be no musical boundaries’

Michael Gudinski’s lockdown purple patch continues with the launch of his own boutique label, Reclusive Records.

Announced today (June 25), Reclusive Records boasts Mushroom Events entertainment booker Andrew Mackie as A&R Director and welcomes Yorta Yorta singer and songwriter Scott Darlow as its first artist signing.

“I am excited to launch Reclusive Records which I’ve been thinking about for quite a while but was holding off until I found the right artist for the right time,” explains Gudinski in a statement.

With this new venture “we are focused on career development and being patient with artists,” the Mushroom Group chairman continues.

“There will be no musical boundaries within the Reclusive label,” part of the Mushroom Group of Companies. 

True to his word, the first release on Reclusive is the stirring song ‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark,’ featuring vocals from Birds Of Tokyo frontman Ian Kenny.

‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark’ is a lifetime in the making.

“It is difficult to articulate the battle I’ve felt as an Indigenous person, when there is still so much love, passion and connection to Australian land,” explains Darlow, a tireless First Nations activist and World Vision spokesperson.

‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark’ isn’t just written for the Black Lives Matter movement, Darlow continues, “this is the journey that I have lived and breathed my entire life.”

Stream Scott Darlow’s ‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark’ (featuring Ian Kenny)

Proceeds from the streams and sales of ‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark’ will be donated to the Wirrpanda Foundation, which aims to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

“Mushroom Group has always firmly supported Indigenous artists – Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach, Troy Cassar-Daley, Christine Anu, Dan Sultan,” continues Gudinski, “and we look forward to continuing this with Scott Darlow and ‘You Can’t See Black In The Dark’”.

Adds Mackie, “The Mushroom Group is like family to me and I could not be more thrilled to be working with Michael and the team as A&R Director for Reclusive Records. I feel honoured to be in this new role where I can help develop careers of talented artists.”

The lockdown has crushed the touring space and created uncertainty across the record business, but it hasn’t slowed Gudinski.

The entrepreneur spearheaded Anzac Day special Music From The Home Front on Channel 9, which now has a spin-off multi-disc fundraising album.

The Melbourne music man also orchestrated the recently-completed six-part virtual concert series State Of Music.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.