SALES of popular Australian music are at an all-time high, with an industry struggling to adapt to new technology.
The good news, released by the industry's peak body ARIA this week, bucks worldwide trends and has warmed the cockles of the local industry.
ever, or just more popular?
"Every decade has a golden period for two or three years," says Michael Parisi, who runs Mushroom Records and heads A R (Artist and Repertoire) for Warner Music Australia. "And this is happening at the moment."
Last year, Australian repertoire represented 37 per cent of the Australian Idol winner Damien Leith, Rogue Traders, Eskimo Joe, the selling CDs.
for Australian sales. He attributes this to the music's quality and breadth, and increased awareness of it. "If you look at those top-selling albums, it ranges from the Motown soul covers to the pop of the Veronicas to the psychedelic rock of Wolfmother.
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Mr Parisi agrees. "There are some quality records there, and they are satisfying all of the different audiences."
overseas success of bands such as Wolfmother, Jet and the Veronicas has also helped overcome cultural cringe, he says.
acts.
there in the world and make their mark," says Mr Peach. "The tyranny of distance is pretty powerful.
So there is a national pride when Australian bands cut it on the world stage. I think it's a real success story in terms of Australian culture, in the way that films perhaps haven't been in recent years."
Is it a case of better marketing?
Some albums, such as Human Australian Idol winner Damien Leith, may be marketing driven, but rock bands such as Wolfmother, Jet, the Living End and Eskimo Joe still rely on touring.
does not look like abating. This week, new releases from Australian bands Silverchair and the John Butler Trio, and the Cold Chisel tribute, occupy the top three spots in the ARIA charts.
And expect new albums by Missy Higgins, Powderfinger and Thirsty Merc to storm up the charts.
that will be played in 20 years? Will the current crop of bands be rated alongside heavyweights of the '80s and '90s such as INXS, Midnight Oil, Hunters Collectors, Spiderbait and Silverchair?
"Some of them are marketing driven disposable pop, but I can Fingernails, Red Wine turning up on classic rock stations in years to come," says Mr Parisi.
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