ARIA Industry Icon Award recipient announced

PRESS RELEASE:

Much loved, respected and admired ARIA Board Member, Sebastian Chase, is the recipient of this year’s ARIA Industry Icon Award.

Chase is the founder MGM Distribution, one of Australia’s most diverse distributors of Australian music, working with many indie artists including John Butler, The Waifs and The Beautiful Girls. He has played an integral role in the evolution of Australian music, starting his career by managing legendary bands such as Rose Tattoo, Dragon and the early days of Cold Chisel.

In the 80s, Sebastian established Chase Records, a pioneer at offering major distribution (via CBS, now Sony BMG) to other independent labels such as Survival Records. From there, he established rooArt Records together with Chris Murphy and Justin Van Stom, leaving in the 90s to become a partner in Phantom Records. He later went on to found the Black Yak label in partnership with Tim Freedman from The Whitlams.

Sebastian has become a key advisor to some of Australia’s most iconic talents and his DIY model is changing the way independent artists bring their music to the fans. 

In 2015, Sebastian joined the Board of the industry charity Support Act Limited.

The 2016 ARIA Awards Presented By Telstra will be broadcast on Ten on Wednesday, November 23