1M1 Records is an Australian independent record label established in 1988 (originally as oneMone Records) with a specialised focus on film music. Its purpose has been to identify, preserve and make available soundtrack recordings from Australian cinema and television, many of which were previously difficult to obtain. The label has positioned itself as both a commercial imprint and a small-scale archive for national screen music.

Founding and background

1M1 was created by Philip Powers and James McCarthy, both experienced music producers who had worked within Film Australia, the federal government filmmaking agency. Their overlapping tenures in the mid-1980s, including roles as Director of Music, gave them familiarity with film scoring practices, studio recordings and the location of master tapes. That experience informed the label’s dual aims of restoring older recordings and supporting new soundtrack releases.

Purpose, activities and catalogue

The label’s core activities include researching rights and ownership, locating master tapes or session copies, supervising audio transfer and restoration, and producing liner notes and packaging aimed at collectors and scholars. Releases have been geared toward preserving culturally significant works and increasing public access to Australian screen music. 1M1 has worked directly with composers, film producers and archives to clear rights and assemble authoritative editions of soundtracks.

Production, formats and distribution

Over time the label has adapted to changing media formats: releases originally appeared on physical media such as compact disc and cassette and later became available through digital channels. Production tasks commonly involve remastering, creating contextual documentation and sometimes including previously unreleased cues or alternate takes when source material permits.

Significance and challenges

As one of the specialist outlets dedicated to Australian film music, 1M1 has contributed to cultural preservation, academic study and wider appreciation of soundtrack composers and scoring practices. The work often faces practical challenges, including complex licensing negotiations and locating deteriorated or incomplete source tapes. Nevertheless, the label’s archival approach helps ensure that ephemeral or commercially marginal recordings remain available for future listeners and researchers.

Further reading and resources