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SAE audio graduate making waves with new record label

SAE Creative Media Institute audio graduate Jarrah Saunders is taking on the record industry with the launch of his own label, Dead Family Pets.
Three students sitting in a garden

Providing a platform for alternative bands and artists, Jarrah said his label was born from personal experiences in the music industry. “I noticed a lot of talented musicians not getting the recognition they deserved. This was partly down to them not having the know-how to get their music out there,” Jarrah said.

The genre of Dead Family Pets, according to Jarrah, is a DIY sound. Some of the names to have collaborated with the label include Faxman, Big Bill and the Bigots, Magic Ian, and Porcelain Eyes.

The SAE Melbourne graduate said he wouldn’t be where he was today if it wasn’t for his teachers. “Without a doubt, they were the best part about studying at SAE. The staff encouraged me to push boundaries and learn as much as I possibly could. They also had time outside of class for one-on-one sessions for help and advice, which I’m really grateful for.

“A special shoutout to my course facilitators. They were endlessly inspiring and helped me discover how much fun mixing for films could be,” Jarrah said.

SAE promotes a collaborative environment for students across various disciplines including film, gaming, and animation. Since graduating, Jarrah has gone on to work with fellow SAE alumni, Tommy Wormald, also known as Porcelain Eyes. “At SAE, we were doing the major project at the same time. As we got to know each other we found we liked similar genres of music, and I then got the opportunity to help him out with the recording of his single, Shambhala.

“It only fell into place right at the end, when he decided to release his new single under my label – it’s been great working together,” Jarrah said.

“Collaboration is at the core of SAE’s courses and is central to our employability strategy. The entrepreneurial skills that graduates like Jarrah develop will prove to be incredibly valuable, in what is currently a challenging employment market,” Deputy General Manager of SAE Australia, Dr Luke McMillan said.

For those students who are looking to enrol at SAE, Jarrah had some advice. “Make the most of every opportunity that’s available to you! Earlier on in the course, I didn’t really jump on the free studio time as much as I should’ve – the best way to learn is by getting involved in the equipment. It’s a good idea to expose yourself to as many bands and musicians as you possibly can,” Jarrah said.

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