Brad Cox ProfileBrad Cox has announced his departure from Warner Music, embracing a move to being an independent artist. Cox announced it to fans on Instagram and has exclusively revealed the circumstances of the split to Countrytown.
“Warner wanted to change the terms of the deal I’d originally signed and offered me a new agreement that was fundamentally worse for me as an artist. I wasn’t comfortable being pushed into a deal that didn’t feel right, so we said no and decided it was time to do our own thing.”
“After spending a number of years in the major label system, I felt it was time to get back to where it all started for me.”
Winner of the 2018 Tamworth Star Maker, his debut album following the accolade was his last independent effort, signing to Sony Music for My Mind’s Projection and Acres, both of which hit the ARIA top 20 albums chart and were nominated for four ARIA Awards.
He shifted to Warner for his 2025 release Endemic Intelligence in Multiple Dimensions, which gave him another top ten album and an APRA nomination for Most Performed work for his track I’m A Boxer.
His signing came at a time when Warner was building its formidable country roster, with James Johnston and Sara Berki also signed in quick succession in late 2024 and early 2025, joining global breakthrough act Morgan Evans. Evans exited Warner a year ago to set up his own imprint with Virgin, and despite his ongoing success, Cox will now also plot his own path going forward.
“It’s easy to get caught up in that world, chasing hits, trying to please everyone and eventually feeling like you’re making art for the wrong reasons,” said Cox. “I’ve met and worked with some incredible people within those walls and I’m genuinely grateful for those experiences, but right now I want to get back to trusting my gut, making music I love and doing things on my own terms.”
The departure comes as his latest (and last) single with Warner, Better Off Without It, topped last week’s inaugural Countrytown AUS50 airplay chart.
“Funnily enough, Better Off Without It was written during this whole period, so the timing of that song feels pretty fitting. There’s also another song I’ve been teasing that I’m really keen to get out, but unfortunately the suits are making it a bit harder than it needs to be. I’ll find a way though. Good songs deserve to be heard. As for being the #1 Australian artist on country radio the same week, I reckon that just reinforces that I’m making the right decision. The music is connecting, the fans are there and I’m bloody excited about what comes next.”
The shift away from major labels has come quickly for Australian artists, with just 20% of the Countrytown AUS50 and the ARIA Country Albums Chart this week directly signed to one of the three majors. The curious decoupling comes as country music has never been more popular in Australia, with the CCMA reporting country music streams surging 115% over the last three years and country expanding its genre market share to an all time high of 10-11%.
Countrytown reached out to Warner Music for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
