UNIFIED Music Group (UMG) and COHORT have announced a long-term partnership that brings together two independent, founder-led organisations with an
ambition to challenge traditional music industry structures.
Beyond providing distribution for the COHORT roster via Community Music, UNIFIED is investing in COHORT as a business partner, bringing the label into the UNIFIED ecosystem. The move will
supercharge COHORT’s ability to build careers with its talented roster.
Founded in 2021 by producer Edvard Hakansson, COHORT is a respected tastemaker for Australian indie music, responsible for a carefully curated roster that includes Geography, Juice
Webster, Mimi Gilbert, and RINSE.
Amongst the COHORT artist roster is Darcie Haven. Raised on a farm in a remote corner of WA, her last EP ‘Angel of the Apocalypse’ climbed to Number #2 on ARIA’s Australian Album chart and
Number 11 on ARIA’s Album chart, pushing her to sell out her first headline tour in only 24 hours.
Named by triple j as a Forecast Artist for 2026, Haven blends intimate, unfiltered songwriting with sharp indie-pop production.
For COHORT, the ambition to challenge and innovate is demonstrated in a format-agnostic approach, supporting projects based on intention rather than expectation, whether that takes the form of a record, a live show, a tour, a publishing project or something entirely new.
Open Office, a free live series hosted from COHORT’s Melbourne office, is a perfect demonstration of that ethos in action. By removing cost barriers for fans, and prioritising real-world connection, COHORT is creating communities to support creative momentum and long-term career growth.
COHORT Founder and Director, Edvard Hakansson, said: “At COHORT, I’m interested in creating conditions to enable artists to do their best work, without being forced into a single pathway.
“Community plays a big role in that. Working with UNIFIED Music Group means we’ll have the support to build and enrich those communities better than before while staying true to our shared
values.”
UMG Founder and CEO, Jaddan Comerford, said: “Edvard and his work through COHORT is a great example of how challenging traditional industry models can lead to stronger, more sustainable music careers”.
“Initiatives like Open Office show what’s possible when you put community and creativity first, and it’s exactly the sort of approach we want to support and invest in. I’m thrilled that Edvard has
chosen Community Music for his artists, and can’t wait to see the careers that grow from here”
Community Music launches the partnership with COHORT tonight with the first Community Live event for 2026, featuring an intimate performance by Darcie Haven at the UNIFIED Music Group Head Office in Melbourne.