 | This article contains promotional content .(October 2024) |
| Skinnyfish Music | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Genre | Indigenous Roots |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Location | Darwin |
| Official website | www |
Skinnyfish Music is a Darwin, Australia based independent record label. The label blends traditional Australian First Nations sounds, language, and instrumentation with modern western music genres.
Skinnyfish Music was co-founded in 1999 by Mark Grose and Michael Hohnen. [1] [2] The label connects remote Indigenous communities to mainstream global music markets [3] [4] through business development mentoring, education and promotion. [5]
Skinnyfish undertake extensive community engagement around the production and cultural preservation of First Nations music, through consultation with the musicians, family members and community elders. They also support a model of fostering economic independence in their artists [1] and encourage local music at community events. [6]
In 2009 they struck a deal with Dramatico Entertainment for the Pan-European release of all the label's albums, after the success of "Gurrumul" across Europe [7]
In 2023 in an international, cross-cultural effort with Dr. Lily Yulianti Farid, Skinny Fish Music helped to facilitate the recording of a Yolngu-Macassan version "Bayini", a significant story for Yolngu peoples. [8]
The label engages with Indigenous communities through touring music groups and artists to festivals, where the main message is of cultural pride, healthy lifestyle education [13] and social change promotion. [1]
The label has also been notable for its championing of fair compensation for artists. [14]
Skinnyfish Music has played a significant role in addressing pressing social issues within remote Indigenous communities. [15] [16]
