Operating an indie record label in the twenty-first century is a bit like driving a dodgem car. You need to be agile, ready to swerve to meet the demands of the next technological change, keep an eye on the goal posts and be prepared for the occasional bump and sideswipe. At the same time, you also need to think about the music-makers and the challenge to find their audience, and, although it’s frustratingly slow and financially challenging, you need perseverance. Undercover Music is, by design or fate, essentially a not-for-profit operation. We have a staff of one, and every cent of income goes back into the company to keep the wheels turning. When we started in 2001, we sold CDs. Now we sell digital albums, individual tracks for downloading, streaming and licensing. The music is the same, but the ways we use and enjoy music have changed, and keep changing. For almost twenty-five years, we have released over 100 Australian albums, and some truly fascinating music spanning traditional, acoustic, electronic, heritage and beyond. In our small way, we believe we contribute positively to the Australian cultural landscape.
Undercover Music was established by Warren Fahey and Nick and Tony Wales in 2000. It has been distributed by MGM since its inception. General Manager, Stuart McCarthy, joined the company in 2001.
Submissions for licensing master recordings to our labels:
Rouseabout Records – heritage, folk music, traditional music and world fusion – to Warren Fahey bodgieproductions@gmail.com
Silent Recordings / Yep! Records – electronica – Stuart McCarthy stuartmccarthy@undercovermusic.com.au
Enquiries regarding licensing our master recordings for synchronisation and commercial use – contact stuartmccarthy@undercovermusic.com.au