Published on
May 1, 2026

Awesome Black: A Case Study on Building a First Nations Music Business

Travis De Vries
Creative Director and Founder
,
Awesome Black
Photo Credit:
Brendan Blacklock

This resource is for First Nations artists, managers, labels, collectives, studios, event producers and music entrepreneurs who want to build something that lasts.

Not just a side hustle. Not just a grant-funded moment. But a sustainable, sovereign music business.

You don’t need to look like a major label to be legitimate.

You do need structure, clarity and control.

This guide walks through the foundations: Brand. Governance. Registration. Visibility. Sustainability.

Take what’s useful. Adapt what’s not.

It’s your business.

Step-by-step guide and reflections

Download the full guide below to walk through the following and so a quick self assessment for your business:

  1. Defining your business structure
  2. Register and protect your intellectual property
  3. Clarify your purpose
  4. Strengthen your brand and positioning
  5. Build your visibility and relationships
  6. Consider money, sustainability and reality
  7. Considerations around community and responsibiliity

Final word

Building a First Nations music business in NSW means operating inside two systems:

The mainstream music industry.

And your own cultural governance.

You are navigating both.

That requires strength, clarity and discipline.

This isn’t about fitting in.

It’s about building something sovereign, sustainable and sharp.

Your business can:

  • Create wealth
  • Support community
  • Protect culture
  • Shape narrative
  • Shift industry

Those things are not mutually exclusive. Build it properly.

Downloads

Info Sheet PDF
500kB

Explore related resources

Worksheet Template

A simple template to write gig worksheets

How To Build a Tour Budget

A template to help you budget your tour

Royalties Explained

How music royalties work & how to collect them

Hospitality Rider Template

Non-technical rider template to help artists perform at their best

Tour Marketing Assets Checklist

How to market your tour and promote your shows

Building a Merchandise Inventory for Your Tour

A simple template to track and manage your merch

Join Our COmmunity

Become part of the network that shapes music scenes across NSW. Get program news, local updates and add your voice to ours.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.