For a lot of artists, getting signed to a label is one of the first priorities – a signal that you’ve ‘made it’, and the apparent key to the door of success.
While there are of course plenty of benefits to being signed when it’s a good match, Adelaide pop rocker Dino Jag is one of the many Australian independent artists doing things differently.
Off his own back (and with a little bit of help from his impressive voicebox), he’s managed to take his career international, and his new EP Breakthrough is the product of collaborations with musicians who have worked with names including Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson.
To get an idea of what a career in music is like for someone going it on their own without label support (or maybe interference), we’ve had a chat to Dino about his travels to the US to put together his new record, and his experience doing it all on his own.
For Dino, a big first step was being put in touch with a Grammy-winning producer as he was preparing to record his EP.
“I had a friend who put me in touch with Jeff Bova, who is such a legend. I sent him some of my songs and we corresponded over the internet for about a year, just sending things back and forth.
“So when I went to record this EP, he asked me where I wanted to do it. So that’s when I decided, I just wanted to get completely out of my comfort zone, record it in America and work with some of these great musicians.”
Looking at a polished clip like ‘Two Young Hearts’, you’d never know there wasn’t a label working behind the scenes
When Dino headed to the US, the immediate question presented itself: how was he going to record with his usual band when he was halfway across the world?
“For the EP, they asked me if I wanted to bring my guys from Australia across to America, to record, of if I wanted to go there and do it with some new guys.
“I decided for this record, to just throw everything out I knew, to really get out of my comfort zone, and try something new with it. So I got to work with some truly talented musicians.”
With music recorded but no label to push it, gaining exposure for his work was never going to be a simple task, despite recognition for his vocal talents.
“Working independently is mainly just working without the support of a record label, you know? And getting your work out there and to the right people can be a challenge.
Dino’s strategy is simple: “You just keep putting it out there.”
“That’s where all the online platforms and the internet are always so great. As well as things like community and commercial radio, which are also really supportive, you just keep putting your music out there. You can use all those things to talk to people and network and meet the right people.”
Dino turned to one of the most important and supportive but often underappreciated cornerstones of our local music scene: community radio stations.
“Commercial radio in Australia is so small, and you can get your song there but to get it played and get some support, it can be hard. But they’ve also been really supportive this year, which has been such a help – I really appreciate it.”
“Community radio is one of the best things for independent artists,” he believes. “They really do support Australian artists, and independent artists, and it’s just such a great platform – they really do have an interest in helping artists and developing them.”
With exposure at a premium, Dino stresses the importance of putting yourself out there on the live stage – taking some opportunities you may not have expected.
“I guess want to keep doing is playing, writing and performing my songs. Once the EP is out I want to keep playing shows – I think live music is really coming back, like it wasn’t a few years ago.
“You’ve seen music change so much, with all the stuff on the internet and the new ways of getting music, whereas I think live shows haven’t had that same evolution until recently,” he said.
“It’s always just been the same sort of thing, and that’s sort of why I think playing shows hasn’t been as big as it has been, but that’s starting to change.
“Not too long ago I played this festival on a cruise, which went for nine days, and there’s not a lot of shows where you can spend nine days with your audience. It was just such a great time, and so much fun and definitely a highlight of my career so far.”
While there is never any one path for any artist, as Dino Jag says, it’s all about getting yourself out there. While the independent route may not be the most straightforward option at times, signing to a label isn’t only option either.
If you’re willing and able to put yourself out there and connect with people both locally and internationally, you can forge your own path.
Ultimately though, it’s all about having the passion to persist with your art.
“I’m just excited to keep getting to play my music, you know. I just want to keep recording songs and putting them out and connecting with my audience and playing shows. I think that’s what it’s really all about.”
Dino Jag’s new record Breakthrough is available now.
