Circle Records was an artist-run record imprint established in 1996 by Melbourne-based artist John Nixon and Auckland-based artist Julian Dashper with a view to releasing music projects by themselves and with other visual artists. Melbourne-based artist Marco Fusinato became involved in late 1997 and, from that time on, Nixon, Dashper and Fusinato were the main creative force behind the imprint, as well as being responsible for designing cover art.

This collection of records involves a significant group of artists based in Australia and New Zealand. It functions as a document of the interconnected artist networks in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland around the turn of the millennium.

Since the early 1970s, sound art has been an important medium for experimentation and innovation in contemporary art practice in both Australia and New Zealand. Evolving in tandem with visual art but often without the attendant exhibition and publication profile, sound art has also developed in relation to popular art forms such as music, filmmaking and music videos.

These 45 records constitute the entire Circle Records catalogue and include experimental sound art and live performance recordings. 

Feature image: Works from 'Circle Records' catalogue installed for 'Multiple Choice', GOMA, July 2010 / © The artists / Photograph: B Wagner, QAGOMA