Mushroom Group’s First Nations Pathway Program is supported by Coles and designed to help young Indigenous musicians gain valuable music experience and mentorship.

The program will provide young Indigenous talent with an immersive education experience of the music industry, plus mentoring opportunities and more.

Mushroom Group is delighted to announce the First Nations Pathway Program participants for 2022.

Angus Field (AYA J)

Angus Field is a Gumbaynggirr man from Coffs Harbour and the lead singer and songwriter of innovative electro-pop duo AYA J. His passion for songwriting has earned him several prestigious music award nominations, including Song of the Year (2020, 2021) for ‘Shine’ and ‘Tenth Street’ from AYA’J’s debut EP.

Bumpy

Emerging with her own independent artistry, BUMPY, a proud Noongar woman delves into a world where vulnerability is power. A captivating and utterly sincere live performer, Bumpy's performance is a kaleidoscopic homage that instantly feels its very own. BUMPY is as moving by herself as she is fronting a live ensemble. Her debut release ‘Falling’ (Sept 2020) caught national and international attention, including praise from Frankie Magazine,Trouble Juice and Beat, airplay from 3RRR,4ZZZ,PBS FM, Koori Radio, triple j Unearthed and more. Her latest single and video, ‘Return Home’ illuminating the transportive nature of her music. A hypnotic vocalist and artist, Bumpy is working on further releases this year.

Dameeeela

Introducing multi-hyphenate DJ, producer, radio host and Yuggera woman, dameeeela. Raised in Tulmur/Ipswich and now based in Meanjin/Brisbane, dameeeela has steadily amassed a following and reputation as one of the city's most in-demand selectors. An ability to cater to any genre, audience and energy from hip hop to acid to the classics and back again is what brings listeners back time and again to dameeeela; mixes bursting with electric passion and rife with experimentation, combined with ongoing reminders of club music’s origins in Black culture.

GLVES

Reflective, compelling, and utterly captivating, First Nations singer-songwriter GLVES weaves impactful tales of her life, exploring her inner emotional landscape to find healing and self-love. The Lutruwita (Tasmanian)-born, Meanjin (Brisbane)-residing storyteller harmoniously combines electronic elements, soothing vocal loops, and organic instruments to create a blend of other-worldly, cinematic Blak Folktronica. GLVES was an Emerging Artist finalist in the 2022 Australian Women in Music Awards, and her song 'Legacy' was Highly Commended in the 2022 Queensland Music Awards.

HARTCOLE

HARTCOLE is a young aspiring Indigenous Artist, born and raised in Western Australia with roots heading down south to Country Home Kaniyang. Through life struggles, events and the search for acceptance, HARTCOLE plans to deliver hope, mental health awareness and positive messages throughout many styles of sound and lyricism.

Hylander

Sydney-based First Nations artist; Hylander crafts a new wave of Aussie electronica. Applying his unique brand of creativity and sound design to every genre he touches, Hylander provides a healthy and consistent challenge to palatability in pop music. As a proud Gadigal man, he aims to inspire other First Nations creatives to expand what it means to be an Aboriginal artist beyond monolithic conventions and stereotype.

Jay Gonsalves

Merging dance rhythms, lo-fi production and hip hop sensibilities, Jay Gonsalves delivers a unique and engaging sound in his music. Jay encapsulates audiences with lyrics drawn from personal experience combined with immersive production. The Eastern Arrernte and South African from Port Pirie, South Australia is now based in Adelaide.

Tyler Millott (The Terrifying Lows)

The Terrifying Lows is the solo musical project of Melbourne based musician, producer, and Gamilaroi man Tyler Millott.His music, dark and addictive, engaged with a brand of rock music that beckons the listener to lose themselves in waves of seductive guitars, hypnotic vocals and insatiable rhythms.

Artwork by Rachael Sarra

Rachael Sarra is a multi-disciplinary artist, designer and businesswoman whose work is an extension of her being and experiences.

As a contemporary mixed raced, First Nations artist from Goreng Goreng Country, Rachael uses art as a powerful tool and outlet to explore themes she often grapples with while her work is often the resolution of such themes and conflict within herself.

Rachael’s work often challenges and explores the themes of societies perception of what Aboriginal art and identity is.

rachaelsarra.com