What Is First Break?

 
First Break is the exciting new music program for unsigned Australian acts replacing the New Artists 2 Radio (NA2R) program which has been run for the past ten years.
 
The NA2R initiative provided a unique opportunity for independent artists to make invaluable contacts in the commercial radio industry and opened the door for many to commercial radio airplay. It featured artists such as Delta Goodrem, Thirsty Merc, Jade McRae, the Sunpilots, the Smart, Ashleigh Mannix, Finabah, Danielle Blakey, Emma Louise and Nine Sons of Dan.
 
However, the industry decided it was time for a new approach to make the project even more powerful and ensure a real career breakthrough for Australian artists on commercial radio......
 
Hence the development of First Break which offers more airplay over a much longer term and broader based support for the winning artist.
 
First Break aims to discover the next big Australian star that gives winners all the tools necessary to break into commercial radio and the music industry.
 
This year, five finalists will be selected with one winner announced.
 
The winner will receive:
 
  • airplay support for two single releases and commercial radio airtime support for touring and marketing over 12 months, conservatively valued at over $2 million;
  • video clips, social media activation and on-road support
  • the opportunity to perform at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) in front of around 1200 of the commercial radio and music industries’ elite.
 
For the full details on what's up for grabs this year go to the Prizes page.
 
Entry is free and artists and bands can enter First Break by uploading their two best commercially savvy tracks, a short video, bio and photo. Entries are judged via a multi-level judging process under which commercial radio music and program directors and Mushroom will be involved in three levels of judging with input from music journalists in the early judging rounds.
 

 

Want to know what the judges are looking for – click here.