Go back
ABOUT US

Who we are

Mushroom is Australia’s largest and most successful independent music and entertainment group. Since the Group’s inception in ’73 when a young Michael Gudinski formed Mushroom Records and Mushroom Music Publishing, Mushroom has grown to become a collective of near two dozen specialist brands who are each leaders in their own right across the music and entertainment industry. Incorporating international and domestic touring, booking agencies, record labels, merchandising, music publishing, creative and marketing services, venues, exhibition and events production, film and television production; there is almost no end to what the Mushroom Group is involved in and can offer.

One unique aspect of our collective and a core part of our ongoing success at Mushroom is our operating ethos and our focus on the individuality and independence of each company within the Mushroom Group collective. This grants each brand and its people total freedom of operation, with the benefit of being part of Australia’s largest network of independent music and entertainment specialists.

Now in 2013, founder and Chairman Michael Gudinski remains as Australia’s music industry leader and is now joined the helm by his son Matt, with the Group in its best position to date – which is no mean feat in our industry, and Michael is showing no signs of letting up. Mushroom is a family-orientated company, and that family includes our artists, staff and partners. Mushroom is called home by over 200 of Australia and New Zealand’s most experienced, creative and passionate people; and we work closely with thousands of artists and organisations worldwide – year in, year out. These are just some of the reasons that make us Australia’s leading independent music and entertainment family.

Life’s magic with Mushroom.

Our history

Mushroom Records was established as an independent label in Melbourne in 1972.[1] Its inaugural release was an ambitious triple live album of the 1973 Sunbury Pop Festival, and over the next few years they signed a number of important Australian acts including Madder Lake and MacKenzie Theory. Mushroom struggled to survive for its first two years and reportedly came close to folding on several occasions, but the label was dramatically pushed to the forefront of the Australian music scene in early 1975 following the massive success of Skyhooks, whose debut album, Living in the 70′s, became the biggest-selling Australian LP ever released up to that time. Around the same time, Gudinksi was convinced to sign expatriate New Zealand band Split Enz, who had recently relocated to Australia. Although they had only moderate success for the first few years, Split Enz scored huge success in 1980 with the release of their album True Colours and the hit single “I Got You”, which marked the emergence of Neil Finn.

In 1981 Gudinski started White Label Records, an alternative Mushroom label, to release innovative music, with signings such as Hunters & Collectors, Machinations, Painters and Dockers, Kids in the Kitchen and The Stems.

Mushroom entered the international scene by setting up an International division in London headed by Gary Ashley. The Australian label had some international success before then by signing The Saints, Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue and Jason Donovan in the eighties. However the last two were released internationally through PWL. In the 1990s, Mushroom missed out on what could have been one of its biggest signings; the label was reportedly in the front-running to sign rising new Australian band Silverchair, but the group opted to sign with Sony instead.

After selling 49% of the company to News Corporation in 1993, Garbage signed to the label via Marshall’s UK operation, followed by Pop Will Eat Itself, Ash, The Paradise Motel and Peter André.

Gudinski sold the remaining 51% share of the label to News Corporation in 1998 for a sum reported to have been around A$40 million. However, the sale of Australia’s last major independent label to a multinational engendered some adverse publicity, with Gudinski controversially claiming that he had sold the label as a protest at the federal government’s changes to the regulations governing the parallel importation of recordings.

Gudinski maintained control of most other Mushroom Group companies (including interests in music publishing, film production, band booking, national touring and venue management) and the name Mushroom Records. When Mushroom was merged with News Corporations’s record label Festival Records to form Festival Mushroom Records in 1998, Gudinksi relaunched Liberation Music.

In October 2005 Festival Mushroom Records was wound up and its trademarks and assets (including its large archive of master recordings) were sold to the Australian division of the Warner Music Group in a deal reported to be worth around A$10 million.

The company’s other major asset, Festival Music Publishing, was sold to Gudinksi’s Mushroom Music a month later for an undisclosed sum.

In December 2009, Gudinski announced that he bought the remaining 50% he did not own from Warner Bros. In 2010, it became fully independent again.

Michael Gudinski

Few figures loom as large in the history of the Australian music industry as Michael Gudinski. More than 40 years after co-founding Mushroom Records and Mushroom Music Publishing, Michael is still passionately taking Australian music to the world.

Born to Russian immigrants in 1952, the future success of Michael Gudinski could probably have been predicted back in 1959. At the ripe old age of seven years Michael showed his entrepreneurial side on Caulfield Cup day when he charged race goers for parking spaces in a vacant block next to his home. From there he never looked back, promoting gigs at Melbourne halls for alternative acts such as Chain and The Aztecs and developing his first taste for what would be a lifelong love affair with the music industry.

In 1972 Michael and business partner Ray Evans staged, managed and booked all the entertainment at the legendary new Sunbury Festival. In the same year Michael simultaneously founded Mushroom Records – which was to eventually develop into the largest independent record label in Australian music – and Mushroom Music, which is today the principal independent publishing company in Australia.

At the same time, Michael developed his interest in the touring industry, promoting his first ever international tour – John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers – with Ray Evans to overwhelming success. Michael made more money out of one night’s show than he had ever dreamed possible – and all at the age of 20.

Michael was also managing a number of up-and-coming bands at this time, including Chain and Skyhooks. Both acts were to produce number one hits, but it was Skyhooks which went on to cement the future success of Mushroom Records. Their debut album, Living In The 70′s, spent 16 weeks at number one in Australia, selling 240,000 copies. No Australian album had sold more at that point in time.

In 1998 Michael sold Mushroom Records to Murdoch’s News Limited Group while retaining the Mushroom Group name. 1993 had seen the Murdoch Group become a shareholder in Mushroom Records and the company continued to move from strength to strength. Considerable successes with Kylie in Australia and the UK had set up Mushroom Records as a notable force in the recording industry, and UK artist signings with Ash and Garbage (four Grammy nominations) and Peter Andre’s #1 success with his Mysterious Girl single and the Natural album in the UK charts cemented the organisation’s expansion into the UK with Infectious Records. The eventual sale in 1998 coincided with the 25th anniversary of Mushroom Records and more than 75,000 people helped celebrate the occasion with a spectacular concert at the MCG in Melbourne, starring more than 60 artists and lasting nine hours.

In 2009 Michael was a co-organiser of the Sound Relief concerts held at the Melbourne and Sydney Cricket Grounds. The concerts were staged as fundraisers for those affected by the February 2009 Victorian bushfires and Queensland floods, and featured acts such as Coldplay, Kings Of Leon, Splitz Enz, Midnight Oil and The Presets.

Michael continues to work with enormous enthusiasm across all facets of his companies, and is frequently seen trekking from pub gig to entertainment centre, in Australia and abroad, looking for the next big thing to promote – be it through his record labels, touring companies, agencies or publishing arm.

PERSONAL AWARDS

In the early 1990s Michael’s years in the music industry was recognised by ARIA with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 1998 Michael was awarded the prestigious Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the APRA (The Australian Performing Rights Association) Awards. In 1999 the AMI (Australian Marketing Institute) awarded Michael The Sir Charles McGrath Australian Marketer of the Year Award, the highest accolade for personal achievement an individual can receive from the AMI. In 2003 at the UK’s International Live Music Conference in March, Michael received the ILMC Bottle Award, the equivalent to a lifetime achievement award.

In June 2006 Michael was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia medal (AM) for service to the entertainment industry through the promotion of Australian music recording artists, as an advocate for young people in the music industry, and to the community. In July 2006, he was listed in The Bulletin’s “100 Most Influential Australians” issue and was named the Ernst & Young Southern Region Entrepreneur Of The Year.

In 2009 Michael accepted the prestigious JC Williamson Award at the 2009 Helpmann Awards. It is the foremost honour that the Australian live entertainment industry can bestow. In awarding the JC Williamson Award, Live Performance Australia (LPA) recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry and shaped the future of our industry for the better.

Michael was also listed in The Age Melbourne Magazine’s 2009 Top 100 issue for his work on the Sound Relief benefit concerts, which raised more than $8 million for victims of the Victorian bushfires and Queensland floods.

In 2012 Michael was listed in the #1 position in the AMID Power 50, a list of the top 50 most influential people in the Australian music industry.

In August 2012 Michael was invited to speak at the prestigious National Film & Sound archive Thomas Rome lecture on the future of the Australian music industry.

2012 also saw Michael honoured by the city of Melbourne as the Melburnian of the Year. The Melburnian Of The Year award is presented to an inspirational role model who has made an outstanding contribution to the city through their chosen field.

Michael Gudinski

Few figures loom as large in the history of the Australian music industry as Michael Gudinski. More than 40 years after co-founding Mushroom Records and Mushroom Music Publishing, Michael is still passionately taking Australian music to the world.

Born to Russian immigrants in 1952, the future success of Michael Gudinski could probably have been predicted back in 1959. At the ripe old age of seven years Michael showed his entrepreneurial side on Caulfield Cup day when he charged race goers for parking spaces in a vacant block next to his home. From there he never looked back, promoting gigs at Melbourne halls for alternative acts such as Chain and The Aztecs and developing his first taste for what would be a lifelong love affair with the music industry.

In 1972 Michael and business partner Ray Evans staged, managed and booked all the entertainment at the legendary new Sunbury Festival. In the same year Michael simultaneously founded Mushroom Records – which was to eventually develop into the largest independent record label in Australian music – and Mushroom Music, which is today the principal independent publishing company in Australia.

At the same time, Michael developed his interest in the touring industry, promoting his first ever international tour – John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers – with Ray Evans to overwhelming success. Michael made more money out of one night’s show than he had ever dreamed possible – and all at the age of 20.

Michael was also managing a number of up-and-coming bands at this time, including Chain and Skyhooks. Both acts were to produce number one hits, but it was Skyhooks which went on to cement the future success of Mushroom Records. Their debut album, Living In The 70′s, spent 16 weeks at number one in Australia, selling 240,000 copies. No Australian album had sold more at that point in time.

In 1998 Michael sold Mushroom Records to Murdoch’s News Limited Group while retaining the Mushroom Group name. 1993 had seen the Murdoch Group become a shareholder in Mushroom Records and the company continued to move from strength to strength. Considerable successes with Kylie in Australia and the UK had set up Mushroom Records as a notable force in the recording industry, and UK artist signings with Ash and Garbage (four Grammy nominations) and Peter Andre’s #1 success with his Mysterious Girl single and the Natural album in the UK charts cemented the organisation’s expansion into the UK with Infectious Records. The eventual sale in 1998 coincided with the 25th anniversary of Mushroom Records and more than 75,000 people helped celebrate the occasion with a spectacular concert at the MCG in Melbourne, starring more than 60 artists and lasting nine hours.

In 2009 Michael was a co-organiser of the Sound Relief concerts held at the Melbourne and Sydney Cricket Grounds. The concerts were staged as fundraisers for those affected by the February 2009 Victorian bushfires and Queensland floods, and featured acts such as Coldplay, Kings Of Leon, Splitz Enz, Midnight Oil and The Presets.

Michael continues to work with enormous enthusiasm across all facets of his companies, and is frequently seen trekking from pub gig to entertainment centre, in Australia and abroad, looking for the next big thing to promote – be it through his record labels, touring companies, agencies or publishing arm.

PERSONAL AWARDS

In the early 1990s Michael’s years in the music industry was recognised by ARIA with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 1998 Michael was awarded the prestigious Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the APRA (The Australian Performing Rights Association) Awards. In 1999 the AMI (Australian Marketing Institute) awarded Michael The Sir Charles McGrath Australian Marketer of the Year Award, the highest accolade for personal achievement an individual can receive from the AMI. In 2003 at the UK’s International Live Music Conference in March, Michael received the ILMC Bottle Award, the equivalent to a lifetime achievement award.

In June 2006 Michael was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia medal (AM) for service to the entertainment industry through the promotion of Australian music recording artists, as an advocate for young people in the music industry, and to the community. In July 2006, he was listed in The Bulletin’s “100 Most Influential Australians” issue and was named the Ernst & Young Southern Region Entrepreneur Of The Year.

In 2009 Michael accepted the prestigious JC Williamson Award at the 2009 Helpmann Awards. It is the foremost honour that the Australian live entertainment industry can bestow. In awarding the JC Williamson Award, Live Performance Australia (LPA) recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry and shaped the future of our industry for the better.

Michael was also listed in The Age Melbourne Magazine’s 2009 Top 100 issue for his work on the Sound Relief benefit concerts, which raised more than $8 million for victims of the Victorian bushfires and Queensland floods.

In 2012 Michael was listed in the #1 position in the AMID Power 50, a list of the top 50 most influential people in the Australian music industry.

In August 2012 Michael was invited to speak at the prestigious National Film & Sound archive Thomas Rome lecture on the future of the Australian music industry.

2012 also saw Michael honoured by the city of Melbourne as the Melburnian of the Year. The Melburnian Of The Year award is presented to an inspirational role model who has made an outstanding contribution to the city through their chosen field.

Mushroom in the media

Friends of the Mushroom Group

Who we are

Mushroom is Australia’s largest and most successful independent music and entertainment group. Since the Group’s inception in ’73 when a young Michael Gudinski formed Mushroom Records and Mushroom Music Publishing, Mushroom has grown to become a collective of near two dozen specialist brands who are each leaders in their own right across the music and entertainment industry. Incorporating international and domestic touring, booking agencies, record labels, merchandising, music publishing, creative and marketing services, venues, exhibition and events production, film and television production; there is almost no end to what the Mushroom Group is involved in and can offer.

One unique aspect of our collective and a core part of our ongoing success at Mushroom is our operating ethos and our focus on the individuality and independence of each company within the Mushroom Group collective. This grants each brand and its people total freedom of operation, with the benefit of being part of Australia’s largest network of independent music and entertainment specialists.

Now in 2013, founder and Chairman Michael Gudinski remains as Australia’s music industry leader and is now joined the helm by his son Matt, with the Group in its best position to date – which is no mean feat in our industry, and Michael is showing no signs of letting up. Mushroom is a family-orientated company, and that family includes our artists, staff and partners. Mushroom is called home by over 200 of Australia and New Zealand’s most experienced, creative and passionate people; and we work closely with thousands of artists and organisations worldwide – year in, year out. These are just some of the reasons that make us Australia’s leading independent music and entertainment family.

Life’s magic with Mushroom.

Our history

Mushroom Records was established as an independent label in Melbourne in 1972.[1] Its inaugural release was an ambitious triple live album of the 1973 Sunbury Pop Festival, and...

Read more...
Michael Gudinski

Few figures loom as large in the history of the Australian music industry as Michael Gudinski. More than 40 years after co-founding Mushroom Records and Mushroom Music Publishing, Michael is still passionately taking Australian music...

Read more...
View Mushroom Group press clippings View friends of the Mushroom Group
Go back
Our Companies
About Artist Voice

Established by Brett Murrihy and Matt Gudinski in 2010, Artist Voice has quickly become one of the most innovative and successful talent agencies in Australasia.

With offices in Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and Auckland, the agency has the expertise and reach to deliver exciting and impressive opportunities to its acclaimed roster of artists.

Showcasing the best in Australian and international live music, Artist Voice aims to provide a complete service for artists across a range of musical styles including rock, electronica, pop, punk, indie and hip hop.

With the likes of The Temper Trap, Empire of the Sun, Tame Impala, Tegan and Sara, Paul Kelly, The Jezabels, Matt Corby, The Rubens and The Naked and Famous on their stellar roster, Artist Voice is an agency that delivers extraordinary results for their extraordinary artists.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Drawing Board

Establish a premium merchandise company offering high-quality, custom merch solutions and advanced merch products such as combined Merch + Music items including music tees, headphones and MP3 players.

We will be offering an all-in-one merchandise solution that will include design, manufacturing, management and promotion. This will allow us to build a strong merchandise division for artists and capitalise on sales and growth. We are offering artists the ability to move outside the standard merch outlets by expanding into the retail market and seeking 3rd party collaborations.

We aim to be seen as a collaborative brand (such as leading headwear company ‘New Era’) by being not just a manufacture, but more a label in which ‘brands’ see it a benefit to collaborate and create quality products with an established label.

It is our goal to have a heavy online presence including a high-end online sales outlet that would allow us to maximise sales in an area which has currently been neglected by artists and the music industry.

We are also looking at exciting ventures including limited edition collaborations with International Touring Artists and expanding into the retail market with our own flagship retail stores. We will also be offering artists web management packages with our own in house design department, ZEROmedia.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Frontier

The Frontier Touring Company is one of the most respected, long standing, and proactive concert promoters in Australasia. Since its formation in late 1979, Frontier Touring has had a fundamental role in entertaining Australians and New Zealanders for more than three decades.

With Michael Gudinski at the helm, The Frontier Touring Company has developed into one of the most highly respected touring companies in the Southern Hemisphere, repeatedly reported by Billboard and Pollstar rankings as Australasia’s number one concert promoter.

The artists toured by Frontier Touring read as a who’s who of touring artists – Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Lionel Richie, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Tom Jones, Foo Fighters, Jack White, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Madonna, The Police, Flight Of The Conchords, Justin Timberlake, Kylie Minogue plus so many more have toured Down Under with The Frontier Touring Company.

Frontier Events was launched in 2009 as The Frontier Touring Company’s corporate division; supplying, managing and organising entertainment for government, global corporations and some of the major international sporting events in Australasia. In addition, Frontier Events have also staged large scale exhibitions in some of Australia’s finest museums including CSI: The Experience and Australia’s most successful exhibition ever; Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About I OH YOU

I OH YOU was founded in 2009 after four teenage housemates received final notice on their overdue gas bill that they couldn’t pay off. In a last ditch attempt to raise the funds, the friends threw a house party, invited some bands to play and charged a small fee for entry. The 200 capacity party (including a few members of the local police force) resulted in the housemates raising enough money to cover their utility bills for the next quarter. Fast forward a few years and I OH YOU is now a record label, creative agency and host to many of Melbourne’s much loved party nights.

The I OH YOU label joined the Mushroom family in October 2011 as an imprint of Illusive. The cutting edge label boasts some of Australia’s best young talent including Bleeding Knees Club, City Calm Down, DZ Deathrays, Snakadaktal and Violent Soho.

In the short time since the label’s inception, I OH YOU have presented themselves as a passionate and committed group to their bands and brand as a whole. The success of the label speaks for itself; I OH YOU artists have earned themselves an AIR Award, ARIA Award and countless runs of sold-out shows across the country in 2012 alone.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Illusive

Illusive is a music and entertainment company formed in 2002 by Matt Gudinski and Adam Jankie. Since its creation, the company has existed as one of Australia’s first truly 360 degree music businesses. In addition to its successful record label and publishing arm, Illusive has been promoting international and local tours, club events, under 18s shows and music festivals.

The Illusive label focuses on identifying, developing and exposing Australian talent of all genres to both a local and international audience. Its prestigious roster includes Bliss n Eso, Clubfeet, Diafrix and Lowrider, as well as the much-loved artists from label imprints I OH YOU and Wunderkind.

The touring and events division of Illusive specialises primarily in bringing the best electronic, indie and hip-hop artists Down Under as well as putting together some unique special events and festivals. In addition, Illusive have also created a boutique artist management arm that works intimately with a select group of artists to nurture and grow their careers.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Ivy League

Ivy League, first established in 1997, is a joint venture between the successful team behind Winterman & Goldstein Management (Pete Lusty, Andy Cassell and Andy Kelly) and Liberation. Since the label’s humble beginnings in a tiny office in Sydney’s inner west, Ivy League has flourished into one of Australia’s most revered record labels.

With highly acclaimed releases from artists including Cloud Control, Lanie Lane, The Rubens, Alpine, Youth Group, The Vines , The Mess Hall and Josh Pyke, under their belt, Ivy League have had a phenomenal run of good times and even better music.

Their commitment to working with and signing only artists that they believe to be contributing to the rich shag pile rug of Australian music has resulted in them being the only label to win two AMP Awards (Mess Hall’s Devils Elbow and Cloud Control’s Bliss Release respectively) along with a bag of ARIA Awards and nominations throughout the years.

If their first fifteen years are anything to go by, the future looks bright for Ivy League.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Liberation

Liberation Music is closely linked with all of the different arms of the Mushroom Group and is often seen as the parent of the other Mushroom Group record labels.

Formed in 1999, Liberation is a dynamic and independent hub dedicated to signing, nurturing and developing some of the most exciting domestic Artists for markets around the globe. Liberation’s roster includes The Temper Trap, Husky, Adalita, Dan Sultan, TZU, Vance Joy, New Gods, Worlds End Press, The Holidays, British India and Snakadaktal.

Additionally the label continues to work with iconic Artists such as Kasey Chambers, Archie Roach, Jimmy Barnes, and Troy Cassar-Daley (among others) and also proudly represents the most comprehensive Australian music catalogue in the country.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Liberator

Liberator Music is the international recording division within The Mushroom Group.

Founded in 2006 by Nick Dunshea, Liberator is home to some of the world’s most sought after independent releases & labels such as: Infectious Music, Glassnote Records, BMG Rights Management & Southern Fried Records.

The roster of artists now includes : alt-J (∆), Dizzee Rascal, Sleigh Bells, Local Natives, Garbage, Robert DeLong, Little Green Cars, Chvrches, Young Man, Joan Jett, Benny Benassi, Steve Aoki, The 2 Bears, Joey Ramone, Matt & Kim, Kaiser Chiefs & more.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Love Police ATM

Love Police, the Sydney based band and event merchandise and design company run by Brian “BT” Taranto, has merged its merchandise interests and operations with the Mushroom Group’s Australian Tour Merchandising (ATM) to form Love Police ATM – Australia’s premier merchandising solution for the music, entertainment and sporting industries.

Love Police, created in 1997, found a home amongst the indie rock band of the day You Am I and began a partnership with the Big Day Out to handle all their merchandise operations and event artwork. Both relationships continue to this day. Over the years, Love Police has become the leading supplier of merchandise for the local industry (The Living End, Jimmy Barnes, Grinspoon), noted festival merchandisers (Big Day Out, Splendour in the Grass, Groovin’ the Moo) and a designer of merchandise, event management and album cover design.

Being the Australian pioneer in the early days of concert and event merchandise, ATM was started back in 1983 and has been a major player on the scene ever since. As well as representing a number of acts with direct deals (Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift, The Temper Trap), ATM also represents the largest merchandising company in the world, Bravado, for its live tour merchandise operations.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Mushroom Creative

Mushroom Creative is a full-service design and branding agency.

They specialise in the music and entertainment industries, and offer solutions in web, social media strategy and printing to name just a few.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Mushroom Event Services

The Mushroom Group Events Company is at the forefront of the Australian Music Industry and leaders in Special Event & Corporate functions. The company is run by Michael Gudinski with a team of experienced staff executing all the important details and leaving clients with peace of mind and a first class event.

The Mushroom Group of Companies is a major part of the music scene, the past, the present and the future. We know the Australian and International market better than anybody else. Since forming back in 1973, 40 years ago this year, Mushroom have evolved as one of the leading entertainment shapers of the industry and at the cutting edge of everything we do.

Mushroom is a community into itself with at least 23 companies under the one umbrella. These include a touring company, merchandise, booking agencies, record labels, publishing, marketing, ticketing, festivals and more. We believe in independent thinking, but working together within our community to provide the many services we can offer. Our diverse skills mean we are able to find new opportunities and deliver better results. We develop concepts to suit budgets and the client’s strategic objectives.

CONTACT
  • P: +61 3 9690 3399
About Mushroom Marketing

Mushroom Marketing provides direct access to the combined resources and experience of the Mushroom Group to ensure marketers from other industries effectively harness the power of music.

Lead by managing director Carl Gardiner, Mushroom Marketing delivers the specialist expertise of the Mushroom Group for everything from music campaigns, special music events and products, music education and integrated social marketing communications.

Mushroom Marketing has had a key role in implementing many of Australia’s largest music themed initiatives with clients including Telstra, McDonalds, Coca Cola, Foster’s Group and National Australia Bank.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Mushroom Music Publishing

Since its creation in 1973, Mushroom Music Publishing has developed into the most successful independent publishing company in Australia and New Zealand. Mushroom Music is led by managing director Ian James, who has been a part of the Mushroom family for more than 2 decades and recently celebrated thirty years as a specialist in the music industry.

Mushroom Music acts as a complete support network for its writers and provides a wide range of services depending on the specific needs of the writers and bands. It aims to generate income from any source available creating a greater potential income for the writer.

The company has a depth of staff amongst the major components of music publishing, including A&R and creative, licensing, administration and international. Mushroom Music’s key staff members have a strong history with the Mushroom family or extensive industry experience. The stability and experience is reflected in the many long-term working relationships that the company has with local and international composers and catalogues that they are proud to represent, and with external long-term clients in the Television, Advertising and Film industries who licence Mushroom’s music extensively.

Their collection of local and international songwriters are responsible for some of the industry’s modern day masterpieces – Adalita, Chet Faker, Jack White, Troy Cassar-Daley, Matt Corby, Cloud Control, Garbage, The Jezabels, Birds of Tokyo, Chairlift, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Temper Trap, Band of Horses – and that’s just the beginning.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Mushroom Pictures

Mushroom Pictures & Mushroom TV was formed in 1995 to develop, produce and distribute a wide range of films, television and multi-media projects.

Successes to date include cult movies Chopper and the top #10 US hit, Wolf Creek, and the highly lauded TV series Great Australian Albums featuring legendary albums by Crowded House, Silverchair, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds amongst others.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Mushroom Promotions

In 2007, the publicity and promotions departments and resources for The Frontier Touring Company, Liberation Music and all its associated labels were merged and Mushroom Promotions was formed.

The Mushroom Promotions team is now responsible for publicity and promotions for both the touring and record company arms of the Mushroom Group, including Liberation Music, Ivy League, Liberator Music, Illusive, I Oh You, Wunderkind and The Frontier Touring Company.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Pias

[PIAS] Australia is the local arm of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group who along with Liberator Music / The Mushroom Group look after an ever growing list of acts including: First Aid Kit, Band Of Skulls, Enter Shikari, The Darkness, Tiësto, Crystal Fighters, Dead Can Dance, Christopher Owens, The Jim Jones Revue, Simian Mobile Disco, Dinosaur Jr. and more.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Premier Artists

Premier Artists was formed in 1973 and is Australia’s foremost agency for the booking and touring of contemporary recording artists.

The agency exclusively represents many of Australia’s highest profile artists, ensuring that both the artist and the client walk away from an event satisfied.

Based in Victoria’s Albert Park for 30 years, Premier Artists is an icon in the Australian music industry. The agency’s impressive roster includes Jimmy Barnes, You Am I, Kasey Chambers, Adalita, Stonefield, Henry Wagons, Jon Stevens, Marcia Hines, Renee Geyer, Vanessa Amorosi, Clare Bowditch, Loon Lake, Kate Cebrano, Joe Camilleri & the Black Sorrows and Hoodoo Gurus.

The Premier Artists team is made up of booking agents, tour co-ordinators, accounting professionals and marketing experts who work tirelessly to deliver a successful performance for everyone involved.

Premier Artists and its Sydney-based sister agency The Harbour Agency work hand in hand to provide the best live music Australia has to offer on both a national and international stage.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About Roundhouse

Roundhouse Entertainment is responsible for the a day on the green concert series, staged across 17 wineries in Australia and New Zealand.

a day on the green is all about good food, good wine and great music in magnificent locations.  Since the first show on Australia Day 2001, the event has grown to become one of Australasia’s most successful and respected outdoor concert events, and recently reached a significant milestone with the 300th concert.

A glittering array of international and Australian stars have performed for a day on the green during the past 12 years, including Leonard Cohen, Rod Stewart, Blondie, Rob Thomas, Joe Cocker, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, INXS and Cold Chisel.

a day on the green is far more than a concert, it is an “experience” and that’s what sets it aside from other winery shows. Patrons bringing their own picnics, the resident DJ Grand Master Baitz, meeting the artists at the signing desk and the hugely popular merchandise range are some of the extras that go into making a day on the green such a great day.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
About The Harbour Agnecy

The Harbour Agency was launched in late 1978 to meet the demand in the industry for a professional music booking agency. Over the past three decades it has become Australia’s largest booking agency, working with artists to provide the very best local talent for hotels, clubs, festivals, private functions and major outdoor industry and community calendar events.

The company represents artists ranging from world-class established talent who have sold millions of records worldwide to on-the-rise acts, working with them to guide and develop their career. The diversity of the Harbour Agency roster sees them cover everything from mainstream to alternative, dance to rock, folk to heavy metal and indie to hip hop.

The Harbour Agency and its Melbourne-based sister agency Premier Artists work hand in hand to provide the best live music Australia has to offer on both a national and international stage.

WEBSITE
CONTACT
arrow

  • One of the most innovative and successful talent agencies in Australasia.
arrow

  • An all-in-one merchandise solution including design, manufacturing, management and promotion.
arrow

  • Australia and New Zealand’s leading live music promoter since 1979.
arrow

  • A cutting edge record label and party promoter.
arrow

  • Artist services company including boutique label, management, live touring and events divisions.
arrow

  • A record label committed to working with and signing the cream of Australian music.
arrow

  • A dynamic and independent hub dedicated to working with the most exciting domestic artists.
arrow

  • The international recording division of the Mushroom Group. Home to some of the world’s hottest releases.
arrow

  • Australia’s premier merchandising solution for the music, entertainment and sporting industries.
arrow

  • A full-service design and branding agency, including web, social media and printing.
arrow

  • Leaders in special events and corporate functions of any description. Experts in music, entertainment and event logistics.
arrow

  • Music marketing specialists, strategic planning, brand integration, new media, event creation and music education.
arrow

  • The most successful independent publishing company in Australia and New Zealand.
arrow

  • Develops, produces and distributes a wide range of films, television and multi-media projects.
arrow

  • Publicity and promotions for both the touring and record company arms of the Mushroom Group.
arrow

  • The Australian home of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group, which is home to an ever expanding list of amazing acts.
arrow

  • Australia’s favourite booking agency for contemporary recording artists.
arrow

  • Responsible for the iconic ‘A Day on the Green’ concert series across Australia and New Zealand.
arrow

  • Australia’s largest booking agency, representing a diverse range of talented performers.
Go back
News
April 8, 2013

Artist Voice launches new Melbourne premises and more artists join the agency

Artist Voice is proud to announce today the launch of their Melbourne agency premises to be headed by well-respected industry figure and agent, Dave Batty.

The new offices on Collins Street are situated in the iconic Block Arcade building and provide an ideal Melbourne CBD location for Artist Voice to launch the agency and represent their many artists based in Melbourne.

Artist Voice CEO Brett Murrihy said today “We have wanted to set up a location for the agency in Melbourne for some time given the city’s importance to the live music scene in Australia.  This provides us with the best resources to service our many clients based in Melbourne and also provide us greater access to A&R opportunities to secure the most exciting new acts emerging from Melbourne.”

The company now has a very impressive footprint across Australasia with five offices located in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Hong Kong and Singapore and representing artists across the region.

Artist Voice are also delighted to announce a number of important new signings to the agency roster including Angus and Julia Stone, the brother and sister duo who have been immensely successful in Australia and Europe with their previous album “A Book Like This” and triple platinum Australian number 1 album “Down The Way” selling close to a million albums worldwide.

In addition joining the agency is New Zealand electro pop artist Ladyhawke, two of the members of Pond and Tame Impala bring their dreamy lo-fi rock via Allbrook/Avery, and emerging electronic artist Ta-Ku joining Artist Voice Electronic.

Further extending the international influence in their roster, the agency is now representing exciting new electronic three-piece band Chvrches from Glasgow whose track  “Lies” ranked number 28 on NME’s Best Tracks of 2012 and were voted number 5 in the BBC Sound of 2013 list.

Finally Artist Voice is thrilled to welcome Neil Finn to the agency – direct from the success of his much acclaimed sold out tour with Paul Kelly at twenty venues across Australia.

Neil is one of the world’s foremost songwriters and performers whose legacy and reputation across live music in Australia and New Zealand is unparalleled and Artist Voice is delighted to welcome him to their roster of talent.

For more information visit www.artistvoice.com

All media enquiries to media@artistvoice.com

March 22, 2013

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street band Australian shows kick off to rave reviews!

Anticipation and spirits have been high since The Frontier Touring Company in association with Jacobsen International announced the return of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band to Australian shores last December.

Tickets to the tour were snapped up at record speeds and additional shows in each city were quickly added to meet demand.

Brisbane was the first lucky city to be treated to what has been touted as the ‘tour of a lifetime’ and the music legend did not disappoint:

‘It is going to be tough for anyone to beat Bruce Springsteen for the tour of the year.’ – The Daily Telegraph

‘Sometimes a show takes the breath out of your lungs and leaves you speechless. In awe. Unsure how to articulate what you just witnessed. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is one such show.’ – Sydney Morning Herald

‘This is the legendary E Street Band and nobody can keep up with them. Nobody can come close. Mark my words – they’re the best there is… Bruce Springsteen is the greatest performer I’ve ever seen and if you pass up a chance to see him live; your life will be poorer for it.’ – Brisbane Times

‘After a ten-year hiatus Bruce Springsteen has returned to Australia to deliver the latest instalment in what really is the greatest rock and roll show on earth…  An important artist of his or any generation, Springsteen remains possibly the most vital front man of the modern era. Long may he run.’ – The Australian

‘They don’t come any bigger than The Boss, Bruce Springsteen last night tore into the start of his first Australian tour in 10 years with a blistering performance before 12,000 fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre’ – The Courier Mail

The tour is completely sold out with the exception of Sydney’s third show at Allphones Arena. Production releases have been happening in the lead in of each show so keep checking in with the relevant ticketing agency for one last chance to see this iconic musician in his element on the live stage.

The Temper Trap announce homecoming headline shows Apr May 13

The unstoppable rise of The Temper Trap has culminated in an announcement from The Frontier Touring Company of two very special homecoming shows in Melbourne and Sydney this April and May!

To say the last 12 months have been kind to the group would be an understatement. Last year they completed a stadium tour with Coldplay across Australia and New Zealand as well performing as headline artist at the 2012 AFL Grand Final which screened on 6 million televisions in Australia.

The band also cleaned up at the ARIA awards scoring Best Rock Album and Best Group and is set to appear at Lollapalooza in Chile and Brazil and Australia’s own Groovin The Moo following their current Future Musical Festival appearances.

Their self titled album debuted at #1 on the ARIA Album Charts in May last year and along with single Trembling Hands was certified Platinum. Just last week it was re-released as a special Australian Collector’s Edition containing a host of previously unreleased acoustic recordings, bonus tracks and remixes that has cemented the LP as an Australian contemporary classic.

‘The Temper Trap have added another dramatic layer to an already emotionally triumphant sound’ - Rolling Stone USA

‘The Temper Trap have found a very delicate balance that moves their sound forward without self-sabotaging why the world fell in love with them.’ – Herald Sun

‘This collection grows all over you like a vine’ – The West Australian

Joining The Temper Trap will be celebrated Melbourne band ALPINE who’ve had quite the year of their own with introductory album A is for Alpine collecting accolades for its beauty and innovation as well as debuting #1 on Australian iTunes and #11 on the ARIA chart.

Also supporting is MT Warning, whose compositions delicately balance between ‘starkness and chaos’. The band will also be joining The Rubens on the road in April for dates on their national tour, before returning to the UK to join the Field Day line up in May.

With The Temper Trap’s trademark epic, soaring sound these two performances promise to be a celebration of the band’s success so far and a sincere thank you to the legions of supportive fans that the group have always shared such a special bond with.

There’s no doubt about it, The Temper Trap’s triumphant homecoming performances will blow both Festival Hall and Enmore Theatre away and tickets will sell out quickly. Don’t miss your chance… be ready to snap yours up straight away.

 

Phoenix set local date for new album Bankrupt! (out 19 April)

Joined by wine and cheese as one of France’s greatest exports, Liberator Music/The Mushroom Group are delighted to welcome much loved indie outfit Phoenix to the family.

The first taste of the new relationship will come in the form of the band’s fourth LP Bankrupt! (out 19 April).

Bankrupt! is the first album from the quartet since the release of their breakthrough Grammy Award winning album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix four years ago. The album, propelled by hits like ‘1901’ and ‘Lisztomania’, introduced Phoenix’s synth-filled, toe-tapping tunes to a world that welcomed them with open arms:

‘They’re pleasure-pushers, filling tunes with riffs, phrases, and beats a five-year-old could love. But, on Wolfgang, those same songs are unfulfilled–and this band wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s beauty in a sunset. Phoenix are wringing it out.’
– Pitchfork

‘These Versailles dwellers make records that initially seem like delicately generic powerpop, but gradually emerge as vivid, bittersweet epiphanies.’ – Uncut

If the equipment used to create Phoenix’s latest record is anything to go by, fans are in for a treat when Bankrupt! hits stores and shelves next month. The album was mixed on the famed Harrison 4032 solid-state recording console used to make the biggest-selling album of all time, Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

‘Entertainment’ is the first offering from Bankrupt! and reaffirms that Phoenix are the makers of smart and infectious popular music. Though their songs are quite enjoyable from first play, further listening will produce deeper engagement and satisfaction. This is completely intentional.

Guitarist Laurent ‘Branco’ Brancowitz explains what listeners have to look forward to with Bankrupt!:

“This album has more layers. The more you listen, the more you hear, and the more you really understand what’s going on. At the same time, we wanted it to be really fluid and simple like a sphere made of marble. You just see a sphere, but there’s a guy who polished it for a year.”

Bankrupt! is out 19 April 2013 through Liberator Music/Glassnote Entertainment/LOYAUTÉ. Phoenix are Thomas Mars, Laurent ‘Branco’ Brancowitz, Christian Mazzali and Deck d’Arcy.

March 4, 2013

Sydney artist, Iluka has been announced today as the winner of First Break

Sydney artist, Iluka has been announced today as the winner of the commercial radio industry’s exciting new Australian music initiative – First Break, which aims to uncover the next big radio music act.

Iluka, described as “effortlessly moving from swamp rock through doo-wop and into soaring balladry” was chosen from five finalists by judges, including music and program directors from all major commercial radio networks, Mushroom executives and music journalists.
She has performed at local music festivals and last year released her latest EP “Paper Doll”.
Chief executive of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said First Break was open to unsigned artists who have not charted in the top 100 Australian national airplay chart: “The industry, which will provide airtime across major metropolitan and regional networks to promote the new artist, has joined forces with the Mushroom Group to financially support the winner for the release of two singles and touring and marketing – which is very exciting.
“Collaboration with Australia’s number one independent music group, the Mushroom Group, adds a strong element to the new initiative.”
Chairman of the Mushroom Group, Michael Gudinski, said: “I was delighted to be involved in the selection process for the First Break initiative. The First Break judges were unanimous in their belief that Iluka has all of the qualities that will endear her to commercial radio right across the country and to Australian music lovers of all ages. I’m really looking forward to The Mushroom Group being involved in the launch of her career.”
Judge and Chief Content Officer, Southern Cross Austereo, Guy Dobson said: “Iluka has an amazing sound about her and under the tutelage of the great music minds of the Mushroom Group and with the support of commercial radio in Australia we are confident she’ll be adding to her already growing fan base very quickly!”
First Break is a revamp and expansion of the New Artists 2 Radio (NA2R) program which the industry ran for the past ten years. The winner of First Break receives:

airplay support for two single releases and commercial radio airtime support for touring and marketing over 12 months, conservatively valued at $1.9 million
joint financing by commercial radio and the Mushroom Group for creating video clips social media activation and on-road support to build a long term partnership with the chosen artist or band over twelve months
Iluka was chosen from finalists including Burning Brooklyn; Kelsie Rimmer, Ben Hazlewood and Ginger and Drum.

19 year old Perth singer/songwriter Georgi Kay signs to Ivy League records!

Ivy League is bursting with pride from welcoming to the fold 19 year old Perth singer/ songwriter GEORGI KAY! Joining the likes of The Rubens, Alpine, Lanie Lane, Cloud Control, Deep Sea Arcade and Josh Pyke, GEORGI KAY is no doubt one of Australia’s most talented and exciting young artists.

At the age of 10 left-handed GEORGI KAY taught herself to play upside down on her dad’s electric guitar listening to his diverse range of music – from Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles to more modern Arctic Monkeys and Coldplay, as well as Grace Jones, BB King, Elvis and Michael Jackson.

At 17, GEORGI KAY won Song Of The Year WAMi for ‘Breakfast in Bedlam’ and in 2010 won the MySpace/Sony/fbiradio National Songwriting competition for ‘You & Me’ . Georgi is also the co-writer and vocalist on Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl’s platinum-selling single ‘In My Mind’ which also won Best Dance Release at the 2012 ARIA Awards. In My Mind was recently nominated for a Grammy for best remix and has now sold over a million copies worldwide!

In the Jane Campion directed television miniseries Top of the Lake, GEORGI KAY plays the role of “the troubled” Melissa.  Filmed in Otago, New Zealand, the mini-series also stars Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men) and David Wenham (Lord Of The Rings, Australia), Holly Hunter (The Piano, Crash) and Peter Mullan (War Horse, Trainspotting, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1). Georgi originally went to auditions on a whim for an extras role but Campion took a shine to the hopeful who had brought along her guitar to pass the time. As well as the acting role, three of Georgi’s songs appear in the series. To top it all off Georgi was personally invited to appear at Sundance Film Festival in Utah where the series received a standing ovation. Top of the Lake premieres in Australia on UKTV in Australia 24 March.

GEORGI KAY’s debut release on Ivy League will be out later this year and the first taste of things to come, her track ‘Ipswich’ (which features in Top Of The Lake), is already receiving airplay on Triple J. Written whilst vacuuming, ‘Ipswich’ is darker than Georgi’s previous work, drawing on her love of horror/supernatural films.

With an EP and shows in the works, 2013 is set to be a breakout year for GEORGI KAY and we can’t wait to watch it all happen. Watch this space!

8 Apr 2013

Artist Voice launches new Melbourne premises and more artists join the agency
22 Mar 2013

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street band Australian shows kick off to rave reviews!
22 Mar 2013

The Temper Trap announce homecoming headline shows Apr May 13
22 Mar 2013

Phoenix set local date for new album Bankrupt! (out 19 April)
4 Mar 2013

Sydney artist, Iluka has been announced today as the winner of First Break
4 Mar 2013

19 year old Perth singer/songwriter Georgi Kay signs to Ivy League records!

 View old news
Go back
info@mushroomgroup.com
Melbourne
9 Dundas Lane,
Albert Park, 3206,
Melbourne, Australia
P: +61 3 9690 3399
F: +61 3 9682 6613
Sydney
135 Forbes Street,
Woolloomooloo, 2011,
NSW, Australia
P: +61 2 9360 6255
F: +61 2 9360 7933
AUCKLAND
Level 1, 10 Taylors Rd,
Sandringham, 1025,
Auckland, New Zealand
P: +64 9 849 7707
F: +61 9 309 8144
View our key staff members Send us a message via the contact form For enquries related to job oportunities at the Mushroom Group, click here.
Mushroom Group key staff members
  • Michael Gudinski – Founder/Chairman
  • Vanessa Langley – EA to Michael Gudinski
  • Matt Gudinski – Executive Director
  • Sarah Donelly – EA to Matt Gudinski/Project Manager
  • Warren Costello – Senior Executive Manager
  • Adrian Murray – Executive Manager
  • Chris Maund – Group Director - Business Affairs
  • Andrew Wrochna – Group Director – Finance & Administration
  • Reegan Stark – Group Director - Publicity & Promotions
  • Dean McLachlan – Group Director - Operations
  • Tom Connellan – Brand Manager
  • Tom Macdonald – Creative Manager
  • Anna Toman – EA to Michael Gudinski/Project Director
Close
Contact Us
Fill in the box below to contact The Mushroom Group
Thanks!
E-mail:
Phone:
Message:
Sending message...