Help
Music Press
Publications that take new releases, gigs and premieres from artists, and the ones that take pitches from writers.
Coverage should never cost you.Everything under Independent and Sydney papers is free. Some commercial outlets now sell coverage. They are flagged under Paid, and most still have a free route. Send a link, not a file, and send it before the release, not after.
Independent and Volunteer 10
SydneyMusic.netSydney · online and weekly newsletter · not-for-profit
- SendGig listings to [email protected]. Everything else to [email protected].
- NoteAlso pays for commissioned writing. See Writers.
- Linksydneymusic.net
emusSydney · calendar and newsletter · volunteer
- SendExperimental, improvised and sound art. Submit your event on their form.
- NoteFree. Out-of-scope events go to SydneyMusic.net.
- Linkemus.space
Cyclic DefrostSydney · online · not-for-profit
- SendExperimental, electronic, leftfield. Digital promos to [email protected]. Ask before posting anything physical.
- NoteThey don't confirm receipt. No advertising dressed as editorial.
- Linkcyclicdefrost.com
The AU ReviewNational · online · volunteer, not-for-profit
- Send[email protected]. Premieres are free with seven days' notice, no more than two a week, and come with a spot on their playlist.
- NoteThey can't reply to everyone but say follow up. They say you can't buy reviews, though they do sell limited paid options separately.
- Linktheaureview.com
Backseat Mafia: Backseat DownunderUK-based, with an Australia and NZ section · volunteer
- SendContact form or email on their page. Upcoming releases only. No AI-generated music.
- NoteHundreds of emails a day, so don't be offended by silence.
- Linkbackseatmafia.com
Rest AssuredAustralia · online zine
- SendAustralian punk, hardcore, metal, emo, grunge and shoegaze. They don't cover metalcore. [email protected]. Physical records by post welcome.
- Linkrestassuredzine.com
Gimmie Gimmie GimmieAustralia · online and occasional print · no advertising
- SendAustralian underground. [email protected].
- NoteThey listen to everything but can't reply to all of it.
- Linkgimmiezine.com
HeavyAustralia · online and digital magazine
- SendHeavy, rock, punk, prog. Press release, style, links, short bio, through their contact page.
- NotePremieres are label-sponsored; independents do get on.
- Linkheavymag.com.au
FBi RadioSydney · community radio
- SendPublishes Independent Artist of the Week and Album of the Week. [email protected], [email protected].
- NoteSee the Radio page for every station.
- Linkfbi.radio
Maximum RocknrollOakland, USA · volunteer
- SendIndependent punk, garage, hardcore. Post one copy (vinyl preferred, then CD or tape) to PO Box 3852, Oakland CA 94609. They don't take digital files or major-label submissions.
- NoteWait two months before following up.
- Linkmaximumrocknroll.com
Sydney Papers and Zines 4
City HubSydney · free monthly print and online · independent
- SendArts and entertainment to [email protected].
- NoteCalls itself Sydney's last independent community newspaper.
- Linkcityhub.com.au
South Sydney HeraldWaterloo · monthly print and online · community paper
- Send[email protected]. Reviews local independent acts.
- NoteAlso runs on volunteer writers: [email protected].
- Linksouthsydneyherald.com.au
Honi SoitUniversity of Sydney · weekly in semester
- Send[email protected], or post to PO Box 794 Broadway NSW 2007.
- NoteReview opportunities posted every Saturday in semester.
- Linkhonisoit.com
Repressed Records: PresserNewtown · free monthly in-store zine
- SendNo submission route published. Ask at the shop.
- Linkrepressedrecords.com
Commercial 9
Happy MagNewtown · online and quarterly print
- SendFree submit form. From 18 September 2026 they cover every new full-length Australian album sent through the Album button, while they can keep it up.
- NoteAlso sells coverage. See Paid.
- Linksubmit.happymag.tv
The MusicNational · SGC Media
- Send[email protected]. Gig listings by form. Pilerats, Purple Sneakers and Kill Your Stereo now live inside it.
- NoteThey can't reply to individual pitches. Sponsored content is tagged.
- Linkthemusic.com.au
ScenestrNational · Eyeball Media
- SendPress release in the body of an email to [email protected], with all the details and a reason to run it.
- NoteDon't follow up by phone.
- Linkscenestr.com.au
BluntNational
- Send[email protected].
- NoteThey say advertising doesn't buy coverage. Sponsored content is labelled.
- Linkbluntmag.com.au
Music FeedsNational · Evolve Media
- Send[email protected].
- Linkmusicfeeds.com.au
The BragSydney · Vinyl Group
- SendGig guide to [email protected]. Music videos by form.
- NoteTone Deaf and Rolling Stone Australia belong to the same group; neither has a working artist route.
- Linkthebrag.com
RhythmsNational · print and online
- SendRoots, blues, folk, world. [email protected]. Review copies to PO Box 5060, Hughesdale VIC 3166.
- Linkrhythms.com.au
BeatMelbourne · free monthly print · Furst Media
- SendVictorian coverage only. [email protected].
- NoteThey can't always respond. Sells branded content.
- Linkbeat.com.au
MixdownNational · print and online · Furst Media
- SendGear and instruments. [email protected].
- NoteSells sponsored content.
- Linkmixdownmag.com.au
Paid Coverage 3
Happy Mag: Indie Rate CardNewtown
- Price$280 for a feature and a mixtape spot. $480 adds an interview, a story and a newsletter spot. $1,240 adds Instagram posts.
- NotePresented as ordinary editorial, with no sponsored label. The free form still works.
- Linksubmit.happymag.tv
AAA BackstageBrisbane
- PriceEvery artist route is paid: Musosoup, Groover, or $10 through Gumroad, with no guarantee of placement.
- Linkaaabackstage.com
Also sell coverage
- PriceThe AU Review (limited paid options), Wall of Sound (a promotional-coverage address), Beat and Mixdown (branded content), The Music (sponsored, tagged).
- NoteTheir free routes are listed above.
- Linkwallofsoundau.com
For Writers 9
SydneyMusic.netSydney
- PitchPays for commissioned music writing. Join the contributor pool through the form in their call-out.
- NoteThe only Sydney outlet here that says it pays. Rate not stated.
- Linksydneymusic.net
The AU ReviewNational
- PitchTakes writers twice a year through a form; one-off pitches to [email protected].
- NoteUnpaid.
- Linktheaureview.com
Cyclic DefrostSydney
- PitchAlways wants contributors. Through their contribute page.
- NoteUnpaid, editors included.
- Linkcyclicdefrost.com
ScenestrNational
- PitchExpression of interest on their contributor page.
- NoteUnpaid, though some paid roles come from the volunteer pool.
- Linkscenestr.com.au
BeatMelbourne
- PitchStory ideas to [email protected]. Interns for course credit to [email protected].
- NotePay not stated.
- Linkbeat.com.au
The Brag: op-edsSydney
- Pitch400–1,200 words in the body of an email; reply within three business days.
- NoteUsually unpaid unless commissioned.
- Linkthebrag.com
South Sydney HeraldWaterloo
- Pitch[email protected].
- NoteVolunteer.
- Linksouthsydneyherald.com.au
Backseat MafiaUK and Australia
- PitchAlways after writers and editors.
- NoteUnpaid.
- Linkbackseatmafia.com
Student papersSydney and Canberra
- PitchHoni Soit and Pulp (Sydney Uni), Gamamari (UNSW, formerly Tharunka), Vertigo (UTS), Grapeshot (Macquarie), Woroni (ANU, small honorarium).
- NoteStudents of that university only. Pulp's pitches are closed right now.
- Linkhonisoit.com