The Mushroom Group announces return of First Nations Pathways Program

Phoebe Blogg Published May 29, 2024 at 11.30am (AWST)

music

Promotional material for The Mushroom Groups's First Nations Pathway Program. (Image: Supplied)

Music and entertainment collective The Mushroom Group will be bringing back it's First Nations Pathways program for a third consecutive year.

Designed to help young Indigenous musicians gain valuable experience and mentorship, the program, proudly supported by Coles Australia, provides talent with an immersive education experience of the industry, plus mentoring opportunities and more.

"We're delighted to once again partner with Coles to bring the First Nations Pathway Program back for a third consecutive year. It's important we support emerging artists with diverse voices throughout Australia's music industry and I'm thrilled to see many who took part in past workshops have gone on to enjoy success in their careers," said Mushroom Group chief executive Matt Gudinski.

Returning this year for it's third iteration, in 2024 the First Nations Pathways program will see Triple J's Blak Out host and rapper Nooky will join forces with celebrated artist Emily Wurramara as artist mentors. They will be supported by GLVES, who has come on-board as this year's facilitator.

Award-winning songwriter and musician Emily Wurramara, also shared her excitement about coming back to the Mushroom music program as a mentor.

"I am so excited and proud to be coming back to the Mushroom music program as a mentor alongside Nooky. There is so much talented mob involved and it is so inspiring and so deadly to see! I can't wait for all the magic that's going to be created during our time together," she said.

*First Nations artist Emily Wurramara. (Image: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore)*

When it comes to what the program entails, participants will take part in expert mentoring sessions, immersive at-event experiences and an intensive four-day song writing and industry masterclass that connects artists with key individuals within the field.

Since launching back in 2022, prior First Nations Pathway Program artists have gone on to perform at a range of events including the blockbuster AFL Dreamtime at the 'G match and official Essendon Football Club functions, along with having their original songs showcased on Coles radio, which airs across more than 800 stores nationwide.

A more recent success story involves program mentor Nooky and first year participant Angus Field. The pair first met at the First Nations Pathway Program and have since gone on to form breakout First Nations hip hop group 3%, with fellow artist Dallas Woods.

3% also recently performed at the MCG in front of a crowd of almost 80,000 as part of the 2024 AFL Dreamtime at the G' match.

Eager to be returning in this year's program, Nooky shared his excitement about being involved in the program once again.

"I'm excited to be back again for a second year. I've seen the artists from the first year do their thing off the back of this program and it makes me excited to chop it up with the artists that will come through this year," he said.

*3% members Nooky, Angus Field, and Dallas Woods. (Image: Mushroom Creative House)*

Coles Head of Sponsorships and Events Carmel Horvath is also proud to be supporting the program for a third year.

"We are proud to be supporting the First Nations Pathway Program for a third year to showcase music and stories from talented young Indigenous artists across Coles Radio," she said.

This year's First Nations Pathway Program features another impressive line-up of exciting up-and-coming Indigenous artists including Alinta McGrady (BADASSMUTHA), Amelia Thompson (THOM), Birren, Clover Blue, Jake Fabila (Tjaka), Loki Liddle (Selve), Loren Ryan and Rob Edwards.

For more fashion, beauty and lifestyle news subscribe for free to the Style Up newsletter.