Photo by Concrete Playground

Repressed Records has achieved icon status across the country for its ever-reliable multi-genre collection of left-of-centre releases. The owner, Nic Warnock, joined Luke and Mara on Surfacing to talk through the experimental, abrasive nature of Repressed Records releases, and the label’s role in championing Australian music. 

Nic is also the founder of the RIP Society record label – you may be familiar with it through artists like Royal Headache, Straight Arrows, Circle Pit and more. He told Luke and Mara local record labels and releases have been an integral element to Repressed Records’ longevity. He added that they function as a means to disrupt the music industry’s norms.

“There was this kind of void there for a while. That was a good thing about doing the record label, it was like there’s this void and there are these things that we like and maybe if we use our communal energies we can make something happen that’s not going to buy anybody a house, but it might alleviate some alienation and bring some fulfilment to people’s lives.”

Repressed Records is celebrating its 20th birthday this weekend with two special Sydney shows. The first show (details below) will feature performances from Troth, Honey 2 Honey, The Native Cats and Blue Divers, and the second show is November 11 with Faceless Burial, Xilch, Histamine and Demolition.

Want to hear more? Listen back to Nic’s full interview on Surfacing up top or head along to the Repressed Records 20th birthday party tomorrow!

WHO: The Native Cats, Troth, Honey 2 Honey, Blue Divers
WHAT: 20 years of Repressed Records
WHERE: Red Rattler Theatre, 6 Faversham St, Marrickville NSW 2204
WHEN: Sat 22nd Oct 2022, 8:00pm – 11:59pm
HOW MUCH: $15, get your tickets here