Breaking down the wall
From the early years, CASM aimed to influence the mainstream music industry and create opportunities for Indigenous musicians. The 1980s saw the first wave of Aboriginal bands coming out of CASM, but opportunities remained limited and discrimination was rife.
One of the biggest challenges facing these early bands was the cost of equipment and instruments. In the early years, CASM provided a set of instruments, which all the bands had to share. Another challenge was the availability of venues to perform, with many places unwilling to book Aboriginal bands, based on the assumption it would lead to ‘trouble’. Without venues to perform, it was hard for musicians to earn a living.
Over the last fifty years, CASM has also produced a number of seminal music collaborations between staff and students, including Indulkana Suite, Urban Corrobboree and Music is Our Culture. Despite ongoing discrimination and the scarcity of resources, CASM has supported Indigenous musicians to make waves in the music industry, leading to their songs being heard by increasing audiences.