Matt Gudinski was destined for a life in the music industry.
“In the first few weeks after being born, I was already heading out on tour,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
“Going to Madonna when she first toured Australia in the early 90s, being on tour with Billy Joel, Jimmy Barnes … and a [seeing] whole lot of great Australian music.”
It’s no surprise then that family is in the fabric of Mushroom Group, the Australian music label founded by his father, the late Michael Gudinski – a record executive and promoter who became a leading figure in the local music scene. Michael passed away in 2021, aged 68.
Matt began officially working for Mushroom back in 2003 at 17 years of age, before stepping into the role of CEO after his father’s passing.
The group prides itself on its people, and on treating its musicians as family too – so this year, Mushroom is marking its 50th anniversary with a range of events and releases, including a giant gathering featuring the best of the Australian scene and a celebration of Michael’s enduring legacy.
Mushroom’s evolution
Michael Gudinski worked hard to stick a flag in the map for Australian music when he founded Mushroom back in the 70s, going on to champion generations of musicians, ranging from Skyhooks to Kylie Minogue to Budjerah.
“When dad first started Mushroom in 1972, there was really no Australian music industry,” Matt Gudinski said.
“Mushroom, now 50 years on, has been part of creating such a vibrant and thriving Australian music scene. It is one of the biggest and strongest music markets in the world.”
The anniversary celebrations will aim to reflect that, culminating in a special concert in November – line-up and venue under wraps (for now, at least).
“For the 10th anniversary, we held a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the 25th anniversary we held an amazing show at the MCG back in 1998 which was, at the time, one of the biggest concerts ever held in Australia,” Matt said – and it’s fitting that Ed Sheeran, a close friend of Mushroom and Michael himself, broke the MCG’s attendance record just a few weeks ago.
“To be able to do something again like that for the 50th is something that I am really excited about, the whole company is excited about it and so many of the amazing Mushroom artists are excited about as well.”
Mushroom will also release a feature documentary on the life and legacy of Michael Gudinski, due out later this year.
Until then, Mushroom will be releasing a series of re-imagined singles featuring musicians on their roster and classic songs from their history – with a cover of The Church’s ‘Under the Milky Way’ by The Temper Trap kicking it off today.
“It didn’t take long till we realised that we were really with family,” Dougy Mandagi from The Temper Trap said of Mushroom.
“It felt like they really had our back and gave us a start … we will forever be indebted for that.”
He, alongside other Mushroom artists including Jimmy Barnes, Alex Lahey, Vika & Linda and Gordi launched the 50th anniversary together with Matt Gudinski at Melbourne pub and music institution The Espy earlier this week.
To another 50 years
“Michael Gudinski took acts that he believed in, that he loved, and he not only signed them – he nurtured them, fed them, encouraged them – he did everything for these acts,” Barnes said.
“He was living on the edge with the bands, and he did it because he loved music.”
Michael’s legacy of collaboration, supporting Australian artists and a thriving scene, and family all live on through his son Matt, who aims to help keep both Mushroom and the Australian music scene strong into the future.
“The industry had such a struggle to survive during the pandemic, but I’m happy to be able to say today that I think there is more local Australian artists selling more tickets and playing more venues than ever before,” Matt said.
“It’s a goal for me to ensure the company survives another 50 years.”