FBi Radio Co-Founder Launches New Sydney Record Label

Everybody’s favourite genuinely alternative radio station FBi are once again delivering the music goods. FBi co-founder and president Cassandra Wilkinson has joined forces with FBi co-conspirator Paul McLeay, writer and musician Jim Flanagan and Catch Communications director Chrissy Flanagan to create a record label dedicated to the up-and-comers.

The label has been christened Lazy Thinking Records (aptly represented by a sloth in the logo) and they’re launching tonight with a massive party at the Red Rattler Theatre in Marrickville. The event kicks off at 7pm, supported by Rita Revell, Greenwave Beth, JaysWays and Artefact alongside some slick projections and will be the first in a series of Lazy Thinking Records Thursday night events designed to profile progressive musicians.

Wilkinson says the label will focus on local and unsigned talent, niche artists with an odd or non-commercial sound and anyone who is overlooked by the bigger labels. She says they wanted to create a label that they themselves would be happy to release with and that approaches the whole process ethically, taking into account the individual needs of the artists rather than the bottom line. She believes bigger labels have their place but aren’t necessary right for all musicians, particularly up-and-comers.

“My view is that it’s a big eco-system. There needs to be a space for small artists to find their sounds and be championed at the start of their career,” says Wilkinson. "It’s been so wonderful to meet so many young unsigned artists. They can get nervous about dealing with professionals and we want to support and protect them. Some sounds take a while to take hold… Not everyone is ready for a big audience and not everyone will ever be."

As of yet, the label is still in negotiations with various artists and has no announcements to make regarding who will flesh out their stable, but it’s all in keeping with their ethos — to take time, consider the needs of the talent and know that good things come to those who wait.

Lazy Thinking Records launch party is happening tonight at Red Rattler Theatre, 6 Faversham Street, Marrickville, from 7pm. Tickets $12.