Trials signs to Island Records Aus, announces new music

Trials, a multi award winning Ngarrindjeri man from Coorong in South Australia, has officially announced his signing to Island Records Australia, where he will release music from his debut solo project.

The yet to be titled debut EP is due for release later in the year, but is said to feature guest appearances from both domestic and international Artists.

Michael Taylor, Managing Director of Universal Music Australia said of the signing:

“Suffa first introduced me to Trials’ music via Golden Era records and the Adelaide Hip Hop scene.  I was hooked on Trial’s stuff from then!

“His production, his beats, his voice, his take on hip-hop…it all has the unique ability to be fun and yet still carry that important message. That’s a rare gift, and Trials is a rare and gifted artist. We’re so excited to welcome him to Island Records Australia.”

Trials added:

“I’ve been crazy fortunate to work on a wide range of music and productions in my life and I’m beyond amped to finally put everything I’ve learnt along the way into my own records.

“The team at Island have always been supportive of my sounds from Ben Martin and Golden Era to now Michael Taylor and Universal and I’m looking forward to making even more noise with them this year.”

Trials inking his deal with Island via a Zoom call with UMA MD Michael Taylor

While Trials has made contributions to some of the best locally produced music – from Funkoars to A.B. Original – his most recent work as one half of A.B. Original has been critically and commercially decorated.

The collaboration with Briggs for award winning 2016 album Reclaim Australia was awarded triple j Album of the Year (2017), the Australian Music Prize (2017), ARIA Best Urban Album and Best Independent release, NIMA Awards Song of the Year (2017) and at the 2017 AIR Awards for the Best Independent Album or EP and Best Independent Hip Hop album.

A.B Original were also awarded the Songwriter Of The Year Award at the 2018 APRA Awards.

From his work as both an artist and a producer, Trials has been accredited two Double Platinum Albums and 10 Gold Albums, and has won four ARIA Awards.

Trials’ co-writes and production credits include songs with Drapht, Gurrumul, Archie Roach, Hilltop Hoods, Pete Murray, Seth Sentry, Illy, DZ Deathrays, Paul Kelly, Thelma Plum, Mo’Ju and Dune Rats to name a few.

His film composition works include soundtracks and theme music for The Warriors (ABC), Cargo (Netflix), Cleverman (ABC/SUNDANCE) and the upcoming feature documentary, Looky Looky – Here Comes Cooky, a response to Captain Cook’s arrival to Australia.

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