Taylor Swift inspires new Aussie vinyl label that will pay for indie artists records

The Taylor Swift-led vinyl revival motivated the founders of an innovative new Aussie record label in a big win for local artists.

Australian independent artists who can’t afford to press precious vinyl copies of their albums and therefore score an ARIA chart debut have been thrown a lifeline by an innovative new label which will pay for the manufacturing of the records.

Impressed Recordings has been set up by Australian music industry veterans and is helmed by former Apple Music head Luke Bevans.

Bevans said the vinyl collective was partly inspired by the impassioned social media call-out by rising First Nations hip hop and R & B star Tasman Keith after he missed out on ARIA Awards nomination last year for his debut record A Colour Undone.

Keith didn’t have the funds to pay for vinyl pressings which cost from $10 to $15 each to make.

Rapper and singer Tasman Keith will now get a vinyl pressing of his breakthrough record. Picture: Jordan Munns / Supplied

The ARIA charts are calculated with a weighted formula which places higher value on sales of physical products such as vinyl, CDs and cassettes.

Most Australian artist debuts on the ARIA top 50 albums are fuelled by vinyl sales as opposed to their streams.

“Because Tasman didn’t (have the budget to) press his record on vinyl, his album didn’t chart highly and so he couldn’t be nominated,” Bevans said.

“I remember thinking at the time ‘Well, I’ll press it, I’ll pay for it.’ And that was where the inspiration came from.

“We wanted to create an independent company that can go to artists and press their vinyl so that they can put something out in the world. And we’re still going to pay them a full royalty.”

Taylor Swift issues multiple vinyl versions of her records. Picture: Fernando Leon/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management.

Bevans said the Taylor Swift-led vinyl revival which has inspired a new generation of music fans to become collectors also gave him confidence there is a market here for Australian music fans to seek out exclusive and limited edition pressings from local artists.

“Taylor has helped to bring vinyl back and for her fans, it’s like The Beatles is to me – I still have all my Dad’s old Beatles records and they are my most treasured possession,” he said.

“I think the vinyl comeback is indicative that in a world where you can have everything, some things that connect you with music are really precious and valuable.

“In Australia, that precious vinyl market has been undeserved for artists and music lovers.”

British singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg, known professionally as Passenger. Pictures: Jack Tran

Impressed Recordings, whose numbered, limited pressings will be manufactured by Brisbane-based plant Suitcase Records, aim to release about 10 records a month, selling direct to fans via their online store.

Tasman Keith’s breakthrough EP Mission Famous EP is among the first suite of releases this week, alongside popular Sydney duo Royel Otis and an Australian-only pressing of Passenger’s All The Little Lights album, famously recorded in Sydney and now featuring guest appearances including Ed Sheeran.

It is believed ARIA is planning to introduce new chart criteria which would attempt to unclog the album charts, and give Australian artists a fairer shot, by shifting records which have been in the top 50 for more than 18 months to a new “catalogue” chart.