Mushroom Records founder Michael Gudinski has made it official. He is “not fucking retiring”.
Dan Sultan and Matt Gudinski, Mushroom 2013 Launch: Photo Ros O'Gorman
Rumours of Michael’s impending retirement announcement swept through the Australian music industry following invitations to an industry event from Michael and Matt Gudinski. “If any other prick asks me if I’m retiring tonight they can fuck off,” he announced at the Mushroom 40th Anniversary party in Melbourne.
As usual, the industry went into gossip mode with the speculation that Michael was about to announce his retirement and hand over of the reigns to son Matt, who is the founder of Illusive (Bliss N Eso, Diafrix and his new prize Clubfeet).
Instead, Michael Gudinski announced his son had been promoted to the position of Executive Director of the newly rebranded Mushroom Group.
The other big news of the night was the signing of Dan Sultan to the label. Dan signed with the Mushroom Group this evening just prior to Michael joining the party.
The Mushroom Group is turning 40 years old this year. Michael talked about never being so excited as he is right now about the Australian music being made.
The Mushroom Group were involved with 35 of the songs that made Triple J’s Hottest 100 this year.
3. Alt J – Breezeblocks (Liberator Music, Frontier Touring)
7. Tame Impala – Elephant (Artist Voice)
9. Tame Impala – Feels Like We Only Go Backwards (Artist Voice)
10. The Rubens – My Gun (Ivy League, Mushroom Music Publishing, Artist Voice)
22. The Temper Trap – Trembling Hands (Liberation Music, Artist Voice)
24. Chet Faker – I’m Into You (Mushroom Music Publishing, Artist Voice)
29. Loon Lake – Cherry Lips (Premier Artists)
30. Bat For Lashes – Laura (Mushroom Music Publishing)
31. Alpine – Gasoline (Ivy League, Mushroom Music Publishing, Artist Voice)
33. Parachute Youth – Can’t Get Better Than This (Artist Voice)
36. Miike Snow – Paddling Out (Mushroom Music Publishing, Frontier Touring)
40. Arctic Monkeys – R U Mine? (Frontier Touring)
41. British India – I Can Make You Love Me (Liberation Music, Mushroom Music Publishing)
42. MS MR – Hurricane (Mushroom Music Publishing)
46. Passion Pit – Take a Walk (Mushroom Music Publishing)
49. Thundamentals – Brother (Like A Version of Matt Corby) (Mushroom Music Publishing)
51. Birds Of Tokyo – This Fire (Mushroom Music Publishing)
60. Jack White – Love Interruption (Mushroom Music Publishing, Frontier Touring)
63. First Aid Kit – Wolf (Liberator Music)
64. Alt-J – Tessellate (Liberator Music)
66. The Rubens – The Best We Got (Ivy League, Mushroom Music Publishing, Artist Voice)
69. Matt Corby – Lonely Boy (Like A Version) (Artist Voice)
72. Regina Spektor – All the Rowboats (Frontier Touring)
73. Ben Folds Five – Draw a Crowd (Frontier Touring)
74. The Shins – Simple Song (Mushroom Music Publishing)
76. Illy – Heard It All (Mushroom Music Publishing)
78. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Household Goods (Mushroom Music Publishing, I Oh You)
81. Alt-J – Something Good (Liberator Music, Frontier Touring)
82. Santigold – Disparate Youth (Mushroom Music Publishing)
84. Hilltop Hoods – Rattling the Keys to the Kingdom (Premier Artists)
92. Lisa Mitchell – Spiritus (Artist Voice)
93. Snakadaktal – Dance Bear (I Oh You / Liberation Music, Mushroom Music Publishing, Artist Voice)
97. Jack White – I’m Shakin’ (Mushroom Music Publishing, Frontier Touring)
98. Kimbra feat. Mark Foster & A-Trak – Warrior (Artist Voice)
99. MIA – Bad Girls (Mushroom Music Publishing)
The 40th Anniversary party tonight featured performances from Mushroom’s British India, Clubfeet, The Rubens, Alt-J and some amazing new music from singer songwriter Vance Joy.
Michael told Noise11 tonight he was excited about the next decade.
Watch The Rubens perform for Noise11.com Sessions.
