NEW RELEASE: First Sounds Vol. 14
First Nations artists and stories take centre stage on
First Sounds Volume 14
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) and Gadigal Information Service / Koori Radio (GIS) are proud to announce the release of First Sounds Volume 14, a specially curated national music compilation celebrating outstanding new music from First Nations artists across Australia.
Available as both a digital release and curated CD for community broadcasters through amrap.org.au, First Sounds continues its long-standing commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices, connecting artists with community radio audiences nationwide and creating meaningful pathways to airplay, industry recognition and career development.
This next collection of songs shares unique and universal stories through song, bringing together a powerful lineup of artists spanning generations, genres and communities, from the red desert heart of Mparntwe, Alice Springs, to Far North Queensland, the Kimberley, regional New South Wales, Victoria and beyond.
The compilation showcases an extraordinary breadth of contemporary First Nations music, featuring hip hop, country, folk, reggae, soul, R&B, cinematic soundscapes and experimental pop. At its heart are stories of culture, resilience, identity, healing, family and connection to Country.
Among the featured artists are Alice Kings, a collective of Indigenous MCs aged just eight to thirteen from Mparntwe; Djawarray, whose music incorporates Djabugay and Ngirrma language; acclaimed actor and musician Ngali Shaw (2KTRILLA); singer-songwriter Faith Kayrooz; country artist Millie Mills; experimental pop artist Charlie Needs Braces; and Kimberley-based hip hop artist Kayps, making a return appearance on the series.
The compilation highlights the remarkable talent emerging from First Nations communities and the important role community radio continues to play in nurturing that talent at a time when opportunities for independent and emerging artists are increasingly limited.
Industry curation for Volume 14 was led by Lance Cheney (Koori Radio/Kameygal Studio), artist Sunny Luwe, Kaleena Smith (MusicNSW) and Jack Hickey (Awesome Black). For many artists, community radio remains a vital platform for reaching new audiences and building sustainable careers.
Karingbal woman and Meeanjin-based artist Faith Kayrooz said community radio had played a transformative role in her musical journey.
"AMRAP's initiative and work with community radio has allowed my music as an independent, female, First Nations artist to not only receive national radio airplay, but also broaden my fanbase. The dream of my music and stories reaching wider audiences has been achieved by the hard work of community radios, who seek to support artists like myself."
Walmatjarri and Bunuba artist Kayps said inclusion in the compilation was both meaningful and important, "Community radio is such an integral part of building a foundation for all First Nations artists, so I feel really privileged to be included."
Far North Queensland artist Djawarray said the project helps carry culture and stories to wider audiences, "Projects like this and community radio help carry our stories, culture, and sound to new audiences while keeping our voices strong."
Each track on First Sounds Volume 14 offers a powerful perspective and personal story.
Wiradjuri artist MINTY's ‘Rainfall’ reflects renewal and resilience, while Mission Girl by Lamonay celebrates generations of strong Aboriginal women. Banda's ‘Seed of Shame’ explores healing from trauma, and Crooked TP's ‘Overthinking’ confronts the challenge of breaking generational cycles.
Language and culture are woven throughout the compilation. Djawarray's ‘Wulman Wulman’ shares stories grounded in language and tradition, while Charlie Needs Braces' ‘Kurrigoyung’ draws inspiration from the shark in the artist's traditional language.
Themes of empowerment, identity and hope resonate across the collection, from 2KTRILLA's ‘Waganah’ and NIDALA's ‘Boldly Ahead’ to Millie Mil’s exploration of societal pressures facing young women and Garret Lyon's reflections on community and connection.
The compilation also showcases artists whose creative work extends beyond music. Ngali Shaw is an acclaimed screen actor, Garret Lyon has performed in major theatre productions and co-hosted NITV's Move It Mob Style, while NIDALA combines her music career with work as a keynote speaker and cultural facilitator. Gunggari artist Banda (Peter Thornley) continues to support the next generation through mentoring emerging musicians via Old Lore Studios.
The calibre of artists featured on Volume 14 is reflected in recent achievements across the lineup. Faith Kayrooz's single ‘Miracle’ was recognised internationally through the Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition and the Vanda & Young Global Song Competition, while Djawarray was recently named Regional Artist of the Year at the 2026 Queensland Music Awards.
The impact of First Sounds continues to grow, with Volume 13 receiving nearly 2,000 spins across community radio stations nationwide since its release earlier this year.
As community broadcasters continue to champion Australian music, First Sounds Volume 14 stands as a powerful celebration of First Nations creativity, storytelling and musical excellence, ensuring these voices are heard, recognised and celebrated across the country.
1. Rainfall - MINTY
About: “Rainfall symbolises that moment of being washed clean and finding the strength to start again.”
Location: Wiradjuri / Orange
2. Kurrigoyung - Charlie Needs Braces
About: “This song is inspired by the 'Kurrigoyung', which means 'shark' in my mob’s language.”
Location: Naarm / Melbourne
3. Little Old Me - Millie Mils
About: “This song highlights the many pressures that society places on young women, and how difficult it can be to navigate this.”
Location: Wiradjuri / Wellington
4. Johnny - Faith Kayrooz
About: “The hope for this song to be a voice for the silent, for the stories that are so often swept under the rug.”
Location: Meanjin / Brisbane
5. Maybe - Rob Edwards
About: “Maybe it is about that breath of fresh air when you realise you can move forward - vulnerable, but free.”
Location: Western Arrernte / Ngarrindjeri / Fleurieu Peninsula
6. Lost In Space - Now Sounds MidWest
About: “Lost In Space celebrates Yamatji pride and teenage strength and resilience.”
Location: Yamatji / Geraldton / Mullewa
7. Together Alone - Kayps & Calvin Bennett
About: “Together Alone captures the feeling of nostalgic sadness from a breakup, and how a relationship dynamic allows you to grow either with or against each other.”
Location: Borloo / Perth
8. Seed of Shame - Banda
About: “Seed of Shame is about where healing begins and not letting trauma define you.”
Location: Magandjin/ Brisbane
9. Mission Girl - Lamonay
About: “Mission Girl is a celebration of my Nan and all the beautiful black women that have come before her and will come after her.”
Location: Dharawal / Wollongong
10. Boldly Ahead - NIDALA
About: “I hope this song meets people where they are and gives them a sense of connection, grounding, and hope.”
Location: Djugun / Jabirr-Jabirr / The Kimberley
11. Wulman Wulman – Djawarray
About: “I aim to share culture to create understanding while staying grounded in the stories, language, and traditions of my people.”
Location: Gimuy / Cairns
12. Overthinking - Crooked TP
About: “Overthinking is about trying to break generational cycles and the chains that bind.”
Location: Mutthi Mutthi / Yorta Yorta
13. Waganah - 2KTRILLA
About: “A person does not need validation from anyone; they are confident to dance, sing, live and work on themselves.”
Location: Wiradjuri / Dubbo
14. Missed Out On Love (Acoustic Version) - Garret Lyon
About: “I work a lot in communities, so being able to take what I've learned has always been a big goal.”
Location: Darumbal / Wulli-Wulli
15. I Ain’t Gammon Bruz - Alice Kings
About: “Alice Kings is a collective of young independent Indigenous MCs ranging from 8 to 13 years old, rapping about things that kids can relate to.”
Location: Mparntwe / Alice Springs
About the Partners:
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) is the peak body for community broadcasting in Australia, representing over 400 not-for-profit radio and television stations, and supporting community media through advocacy, training, and services such as AMRAP.
Gadigal Information Service / Koori Radio (GIS) has been broadcasting to Sydney's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities since 1993, providing a platform for Indigenous voices, music, and stories.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
