Timberyard Records

Timberyard Records is an Australian independent record label founded by Michael Danias in Newtown, New South Wales, in 1985. It emerged during a formative period for Australia's independent music movement, when small labels, alternative venues and local performance networks were creating pathways outside the major-label system. Timberyard's early catalogue focused on prominent underground and alternative acts associated with Sydney, giving the label a role in circulating music that was not necessarily served by mainstream record companies. The label's early artists included Box the Jesuit, Candy Harlots, The Dubrovniks, Girl Monstar, Johnny Teen and the Broken Hearts, and the Zen Genies. Its catalogue therefore reflected a broad strain of Australian alternative music rather than a single tightly defined genre. Timberyard also operated as a collaborative platform, bringing together artists from different scenes and generations. A notable part of the label's activity was its pair of Christmas compilations. In 1989 it released Rockin' Bethlehem, featuring contributions from acts including The Dubrovniks, Ratcat, Girl Monstar, Steve Kilbey of The Church, Damien Lovelock of The Celibate Rifles, The Jackson Code and Lime Spiders. Sales proceeds were directed to Camperdown Children's Hospital, combining an independent-music showcase with a charitable purpose. The following year Timberyard issued Rockin' Bethlehem - The Second Coming, with appearances by The Falling Joys, Painters and Dockers, Ed Kuepper, The Screaming Tribesmen, Archie Roach and Paul Kelly. Timberyard also played an early role in the recorded career of You Am I. After the band signed with the label in 1990, Timberyard released the group's first two EPs, Snake Tide in May 1991 and Goddamn in May 1992. You Am I subsequently moved to Ra Records, a sub-label of rooArt Records. This period places Timberyard within the development of one of Australia's best-known alternative rock acts, while also illustrating the label's function as an early-stage platform for emerging artists. After an extended period of inactivity, Timberyard became active again in the mid-2000s. Its later releases included work by Melbourne acts Ripe, Cosmic Psychos and Damn Arms, as well as Sydney artists Warhorse, Circle Pit and Atrocities. The label also worked with Teenager, a project comprising Nick Littlemore, associated with Pnau and Empire of the Sun, and Pip Brown, later known as Ladyhawke. Their art-rock album Thirteen was recorded across multiple countries with numerous collaborators and was released in 2006. Its first single was Pony. The available reference material documents Timberyard primarily as an independent label with an intermittent operating history. It does not establish a current owner, corporate parent, website, public listing, or present-day release schedule. Its historical importance rests on its support for Australian underground music, its charitable compilation projects, its early You Am I releases, and its later revival involving artists from Sydney and Melbourne.

Timberyard Records was established in 1985 in Newtown, New South Wales, by Michael Danias. Its creation coincided with the growth of Australia's independent music infrastructure, including alternative clubs, local touring circuits and specialist labels. The company became associated with underground Sydney acts and initially released music by Box the Jesuit, Candy Harlots, The Dubrovniks, Girl Monstar, Johnny Teen and the Broken Hearts, and the Zen Genies. The label's catalogue broadened through compilation projects. Rockin' Bethlehem, released in 1989, brought together Timberyard artists and other Australian performers including The Dubrovniks, Ratcat, Girl Monstar, Steve Kilbey, Damien Lovelock, The Jackson Code and Lime Spiders. The compilation had a charitable purpose: proceeds from sales went to Camperdown Children's Hospital. In 1990, Timberyard released Rockin' Bethlehem - The Second Coming, which included The Falling Joys, Painters and Dockers, Ed Kuepper, The Screaming Tribesmen, Archie Roach and Paul Kelly. Also in 1990, You Am I signed with Timberyard. The label released the band's first two EPs, Snake Tide in May 1991 and Goddamn in May 1992. You Am I later signed with Ra Records, a sub-label of rooArt Records. Timberyard's involvement consequently represents an early phase in the band's recording history. The label then took an extended break lasting several years. It resumed activity in the mid-2000s, issuing releases by Melbourne groups Ripe, Cosmic Psychos and Damn Arms, and Sydney artists Warhorse, Circle Pit and Atrocities. This later catalogue retained the label's connection to independent and alternative Australian music while spanning more than one city and generation of performers. In 2004 Timberyard began working with Teenager, a band consisting of Nick Littlemore and Pip Brown, who later became known as Ladyhawke. The project developed an art-rock album titled Thirteen, recorded in multiple countries with contributions from numerous collaborators. Timberyard released the album in 2006, with Pony serving as its first single. The available sources do not specify a current corporate structure, continuing release activity, headquarters beyond the historical Newtown association, or a current website. Timberyard is best documented as an intermittently active Australian independent label whose historical catalogue connects 1980s Sydney underground music with later Australian alternative releases and international recording collaborations.

• 2006

  Thirteen released

  [1]Timberyard Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Timberyard released Teenager's Thirteen, whose first single was Pony.

• 2004

  Work begins with Teenager

  [1]Timberyard Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Timberyard began working with Teenager on the art-rock project that became the album Thirteen.

• 1992

  Goddamn released

  [1]Timberyard Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label released You Am I's second EP, Goddamn, in May.

• 1991

  Snake Tide released

  [1]Timberyard Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Timberyard released You Am I's first EP, Snake Tide, in May.

• 1990

  Second charity Christmas compilation and You Am I signing

  [1]Timberyard Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Timberyard released Rockin' Bethlehem - The Second Coming and signed You Am I.

• 1989

  Rockin' Bethlehem is released

  [1]Timberyard Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label issued a multi-artist Christmas compilation, directing sales proceeds to Camperdown Children's Hospital.

• 1985

  Label founded in Newtown

  [1]Timberyard Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Michael Danias established Timberyard Records in Newtown, New South Wales.

An Australian independent label associated with underground, alternative and art-rock music, with a catalogue spanning Sydney's 1980s scene, charitable multi-artist compilations, early releases by You Am I, and later activity involving Australian artists from Sydney and Melbourne.

• Charity compilation album · 1989

  Rockin' Bethlehem

  A 1989 Christmas compilation assembled by Timberyard Records. It featured several label-associated acts alongside Australian performers including The Dubrovniks, Ratcat, Girl Monstar, Steve Kilbey, Damien Lovelock, The Jackson Code and Lime Spiders. Sales proceeds supported Camperdown Children's Hospital.

• Compilation album · 1990

  Rockin' Bethlehem - The Second Coming

  The second Christmas compilation issued by Timberyard in 1990. Its contributors included The Falling Joys, Painters and Dockers, Ed Kuepper, The Screaming Tribesmen, Archie Roach and Paul Kelly, extending the label's compilation network beyond its core Sydney roster.

• Extended play · 1991

  Snake Tide

  You Am I's first EP released through Timberyard Records. It was issued in May 1991 after the band signed with the label in 1990.

• Extended play · 1992

  Goddamn

  You Am I's second Timberyard EP, released in May 1992. The band later moved to Ra Records, a sub-label of rooArt Records.

• Art-rock album · 2006

  Thirteen

  An album by Teenager, the project involving Nick Littlemore and Pip Brown. Developed from work that began in 2004, it was recorded in multiple countries with numerous collaborators and released by Timberyard in 2006.

• Single · 2006

  Pony

  The first single associated with Teenager's Thirteen project, released as part of Timberyard's 2006 activity around the album.

• 1989Rockin' Bethlehem charitable compilation

  Australia

  Timberyard organized and released a Christmas compilation drawing on its roster and the wider Australian music community.

  Outcome. Sales proceeds were donated to Camperdown Children's Hospital.

  Source

• 2004

  Develop the Teenager projectProduct launch

  Background

  Timberyard began working with Teenager on an internationally recorded art-rock album.

  Action taken

  The label supported development and subsequently released Thirteen in 2006, with Pony as its first single.

  Aftermath

  The project connected Timberyard's later catalogue with Nick Littlemore and Pip Brown.

  Source

• 1990

  Sign You Am IStrategy

  Background

  Timberyard added You Am I to its roster during the label's early independent-rock period.

  Action taken

  The label released the band's first two EPs before the group later moved to Ra Records.

  Aftermath

  The signing gave Timberyard a documented role in the early recorded career of You Am I.

  Source

1. 1Timberyard Recordsen.wikipedia.org