Spirit Level

Spirit Level is an Australian independent record label established in Melbourne in 2014 by Wally de Backer and Tim Shiel. De Backer is internationally known for his solo project Gotye and is also a drummer in the band The Basics, while Shiel is a musician and broadcaster associated with Double J. The label emerged from a practical gap in the Australian music market rather than from a conventional corporate music-business launch. De Backer and Shiel had encountered the American artist Zammuto while opening for Gotye's international performances and discovered that Zammuto's album "Anchor" did not have an Australian release arrangement. They responded by helping bring the album to the Australian market, arranging distribution through Inertia and presenting an Australian tour for the artist. That project became the impetus for establishing Spirit Level. The label is based in the converted Metropolitan Meat Market in North Melbourne, a Melbourne creative and cultural setting that reflects its artist-led identity. Although Spirit Level has worked with artists from outside Australia, its roster has primarily consisted of Australian musicians. Artists associated with the label include Braille Face, Happy Axe, Kcin, and Hemm, alongside Zammuto's Australian release activity. Spirit Level's role extends beyond simply issuing recordings: its founding story combines label services, distribution coordination, artist presentation, and live touring support. This suggests a flexible independent-label model focused on bringing distinctive music to Australian listeners and providing practical infrastructure for artists whose work may not otherwise receive a local release. In 2019, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association nominated Spirit Level among the five leading independent record labels in Australia. The nomination provided industry recognition for the label's contribution to Australia's independent music sector. Publicly available reference material does not identify a parent company, corporate owner, listed status, financial performance, or a complete catalogue. Spirit Level is therefore best understood as a boutique, artist-led Australian record-label imprint whose documented activities center on independent releases, distribution partnerships, touring, and support for emerging or distinctive artists.

Spirit Level was established in Melbourne in 2014 by Wally de Backer and Tim Shiel. Both founders were active musicians, giving the label an artist-centered foundation. De Backer performs under the name Gotye and is a drummer in The Basics, while Shiel is a musician and broadcaster associated with Double J. Their decision to create the label followed an encounter with the American artist Zammuto. After Zammuto opened for some of Gotye international performances, de Backer and Shiel became interested in the artist's work and learned that his album "Anchor" lacked an Australian release. Rather than allowing the album to remain unavailable in that market, they organized an Australian release through Spirit Level, secured a distribution arrangement with Inertia, and presented an Australian tour for Zammuto. This combination of recorded-music release, distribution, and live activity formed the practical basis for the label's creation. Spirit Level operates from the converted Metropolitan Meat Market in North Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. Its catalogue and artist community have primarily been Australian, although the label's initial impetus involved an American artist and its remit has not been restricted exclusively to Australian musicians. Artists identified with Spirit Level include Braille Face, Happy Axe, Kcin, and Hemm. The label's documented operating model is that of a small independent imprint: it helps selected artists reach listeners through releases, works with distribution partners, and may connect recorded projects with touring and live presentation. This distinguishes it from a large multinational label with a broad commercial infrastructure. In 2019, Spirit Level received industry recognition when the Australian Independent Record Labels Association nominated it among the five leading independent record labels in Australia. The nomination placed the label within the recognized Australian independent-label community, although the available reference material does not provide a ranking, award result, financial figures, staff list, or details of subsequent corporate changes. Public sources also do not establish a separate parent company, owner, stock-market listing, or comprehensive release chronology. The available record therefore supports a concise history centered on the label's 2014 founding, its Zammuto and "Anchor" launch project, its Melbourne base, its predominantly Australian roster, and its 2019 industry nomination.

• 2019

  AIR nomination recognizes Spirit Level

  [1]Spirit Level (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  The Australian Independent Record Labels Association nominates Spirit Level among the five leading independent record labels in Australia.

• 2014

  Spirit Level is established in Melbourne

  [1]Spirit Level (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  Wally de Backer and Tim Shiel establish Spirit Level as an Australian independent record label.

• 2014

  Zammuto's Anchor receives Australian release support

  [1]Spirit Level (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  Spirit Level supports an Australian release for Zammuto's album "Anchor", working with Inertia on distribution and presenting an Australian tour.

An artist-led Australian independent label focused on distinctive music, local release access, distribution partnerships, and live presentation.

• Album release and Australian distribution · 2014

  Zammuto — Anchor

  Zammuto's "Anchor" was the project that prompted Wally de Backer and Tim Shiel to establish Spirit Level. The label supported the album's Australian release, arranged a distribution deal with Inertia, and presented an Australian tour for Zammuto. It illustrates Spirit Level's combined approach to recorded music, market access, and live promotion.

• Independent music releases

  Spirit Level artist catalogue

  Spirit Level's documented artist community includes Braille Face, Happy Axe, Kcin, and Hemm. The label's roster has primarily consisted of Australian artists, with the imprint providing a home for releases by musicians working outside the largest commercial label systems. The available reference material does not specify a complete catalogue or individual release chronology.

• 2014Zammuto Australian release and tour

  Australia

  Spirit Level supported the Australian launch of Zammuto's album "Anchor" through an Inertia distribution arrangement and an Australian tour.

  Outcome. The project directly inspired the creation of Spirit Level and established its release, distribution, and live-presentation model.

  Source

• 2014

  Create an artist-led independent labelStrategy

  Background

  De Backer and Shiel recognized that Zammuto's album "Anchor" did not have an Australian release arrangement after discovering the artist through Gotye-related touring.

  Action taken

  They founded Spirit Level, supported the Australian album release, partnered with Inertia for distribution, and presented an Australian tour.

  Aftermath

  Spirit Level developed as a Melbourne-based independent imprint with a predominantly Australian artist roster.

  Source

• 2019

  Spirit Level nominated among Australia's top five independent record labels[1]Spirit Level (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Australian Independent Record Labels Association nominated Spirit Level as one of the five leading independent record labels in Australia.

1. 1Spirit Level (record label)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Spirit Level official websitespiritlevel.com