UNIFIED Music Group launches distro service Community Music

UNIFIED Music Group has launched an artist distribution service named Community Music.

The multi-divisional company previously offered the service for acts on its artist management roster, including Ocean Alley and Jack Botts.

But today’s announcement formally gives it a name, with a mission to empower indie artists who thrive in a DIY landscape and provide alternative options for releasing their music.

Luke Logemann, general manager of recorded music at UNIFIED, said Community Music might not necessarily become the biggest distributor but offers artists something compelling.

“We as a company have existed for over 10 years now, and the two main pillars were recorded music and artist management,” Logemann told TMN.

“Through our work in these fields, we’ve gained a really good understanding of what independent artists need in general and how to bridge the gaps.”

Logemann explains Community Music’s strategy is to give the artists control, along with access to businesses knowledge and additional artist services.

These include A&R and campaign strategy, physical production management, DSP & sales pitching, online store and fulfilment and team coordination.

Alt-pop singer Sarah Saint James (pictured, above), the project of Adelaide’s Sarah Bodle, explains her signing to Community Music: “Being in control of my artistry is something that’s super important to me when choosing who to work with to help bring my project to life.

“Through Community Music, I’ve met a team of people who not only believe in me as an artist, but my creative vision and my ideas.

“Since being with Community Music I’ve never felt more supported. I can’t wait for the future!”

Heading Community Music is senior artist, A&R and events manager, Dan Nascimento.

“We felt that ‘Community’ was the perfect word to capture what our distribution offering is; an option for artists who operate independently or with an independent team to enhance the resources they have in their corner, in turn elevating their release plan,” he said.

“The release is the vehicle, the artist is in the driver’s seat and we’re in the passenger seat providing the map with the different routes that can be taken to reach the destination.”

Will Stoeckel, who joined UNIFIED in April, is project coordinator and also manages The Grogans.

Also in the team are UNIFIED’s sales manager Brit de Groot and production manager Tianna Eger.

At launch, the roster is from around the country.

From Melbourne is singer-songwriter Jacob Fitzgerald, jazz drummer/composer Local The Neighbour, surf rock bands Majak Door and The Grogans, and indie act Gloomie.

High profile rock band Ocean Alley, UK gutter-punk Dick Dudley and one time Byron Bay busker Jack Botts are from NSW.

Brisbane is represented by Bugs and six-piece First Beige, with Internet Friends and indie funkers Mal de Mer from Perth, and punk/emo outfit Wolf & Chain from Adelaide.

Since its soft-launch in early 2021, Community Music has distributed Majak Door’s self-titled album, Wolf & Chain’s EP Amor Mortal and singles including The Grogans’ ‘Just A Kid’, Gloomie’s ‘Every Time I Leave’ and Local The Neighbour’s ‘Cancel Me’.

Coming this year are Jacob Fitzgerald’s EP Pretend I’m Cool (out tomorrow), a double A-side release from Dick Dudley and Mal de Mer’s single ‘Do You See Me?’.