Judges are looking for tracks that have the potential to be played on commercial radio and a dynamic unsigned Australian act ready to be taken to the next level.

Comments from the Judges on how they will judge the entries include:

• “Decisions will be based on how the song would sound on our station/s. This competition is about giving unsigned artists a leg up. Getting commercial radio airplay is crucial to get them to the next level. The artist/s that win need their songs to fit that one criteria – ‘are they good enough to be on my station?’”
• “Airplay worthiness will be the first step. The quality of the song overall, the production qualities, how would it sound next to our core artists? And originality, we’re not looking for a clone of a hit band, but something that would stand up on air beside them. We’ll also look at current music trends and ensure that it either fits within the trend or has a point of difference powerful enough to stand alone”.
• “As we represent a range of formats and styles across the country, we are looking for the most radio friendly tracks. We know each other’s formats, so we will consider just how it would sit across the board. Having input from music Directors and Program Directors across the country means there will be a genuine passion for the new artists”.

Please upload MP3 format files ONLY (NOT Windows .wmv or .mp4 format)

• The sample rate should be 44.1Khz .
• The bit rate should be 256kbits/s or 320kbits/s.
• The file should be a stereo file.
• The tracks must be properly mastered and broadcast quality.

If you do not have an application that can do this we recommend you to download iTunes - it’s free and easy to use.

It should be the best promo pic you have of yourself or the band and must comply with the following specs:

• Image Size - no larger than 300 pixels wide x 240 pixels high
• Jpeg format

It should be 1 minute of you/your band explaining to the judges why you should win First Break 2012. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube/vimeo and the link provided in the relevant part of the entry form.

Please note that all band members/solo artists under the age of 18 require authorisation from a parent or guardian to enter the competition.

If there is a change in your unsigned status (or other criteria) between the time you apply and announcement of the First Break finalists, you must contact us immediately.

If that happens, we reserve the right to remove your rights to take any further part in First Break.

It will be a multi-level judging process involving Program and Music Directors from all around Australia along with invited media and members of The Mushroom Group. Music journalists will be invited to input in to early judging.

Judges will view your pics, bios, video and listen to both audio tracks in order to determine the Final 5 & the Winner. Any decisions made by the judges will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The winner/s will be required to enter into a binding agreement with Commercial Radio Australia in relation to their involvement in First Break and all related activities.

All acts selected to perform at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards must supply their own musical equipment and will be fully responsible for that equipment.  Commercial Radio Australia will not accept any responsibility for damage to or faults with such equipment.

Commercial Radio Australia has engaged a production company to produce the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.  The winner will be expected to comply with the reasonable requests of the production company in relation to sound checks and to their performance.

Commercial Radio Australia will supply the basic backline equipment.

All bands and solo artists entered into First Break will be advised in writing in September of the outcome.

Please contact us via email and provide as many details as possible so we can try to resolve your problem as quickly as possible. 

Commercial Radio Australia is the national industry body representing commercial radio stations Australia-wide.

Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) is the representative voice for Australian commercial radio on all issues including digital radio; audience surveys (undertaken by The Nielsen Company); legislative and regulatory issues; audience trends; radio brand marketing, copyright, broadcast fees and performing rights, and industry codes and standards.   CRA and individual broadcaster joint venture companies introduced DAB+ digital radio services to Australia. More information about Commercial Radio Australia here.