Established in 1974, ABC Music is one of the longest-running, most prolific and diverse independent record label.[1] Operating as part of the ABC Commercial division, ABC Music invests all profits back into the broader ABC, to spend on the creation of content and to further its ABC Charter activities.[2][3][4]
Catalogue
ABC Music the largest independent record label in Australia.[5] Its catalogue covers a wide variety of genres including country, classical, blues, roots, and rock.[4]
ABC Music acts as the umbrella label for several imprints, past and present, while FOUR FOUR covers genres such as reggae, ska, roots, world music and rock.[9]
ABC Classic is an imprint of ABC Music, which represents many of Australia's leading classical musicians, orchestras and ensembles.[4] The label was founded in 1987 as a means of showcasing the ABC's classical music recordings under its own banner.[10] The label sells music on CD as well as making it available on various music streaming services such as Spotify.[11]
ABC Classic has been awarded the prestigious ARIA Music Award for Best Classical Album more than 25 times since the inception of the awards in 1987.[11][12]
ABC Music was named "Best Independent Label" at the 2020 AIR Awards[19]
ABC Music Publishing
ABC Music Publishing is as of June 2021[update] still registered as a business name under ABC Commercial, but its website is no longer in existence,[20] after its catalogue had been sold to Universal Music Publishing Group Australia & NZ.[a] It was "an independent music publisher representing some of Australia’s most recognised songwriters and composers", including screen composers.[20] It also provided a personalised service for filmmakers, providing licences for appropriate music for their films.[21]