Favourites, Roses And Revolution: Inside Wild At Heart Records And Sue Nami’s Bold Debut

Wild At Heart Records is carving out a vital space in a notoriously inaccessible industry- the Australian music industry. 

As the country’s only disability-led and disabled-artist label, it’s a place where fresh voices are nurtured, stories that are often left untold are amplified and artists are given the freedom to experiment without compromise. Based in Naarm, Wild At Heart prides itself on the community and values that underpin the label, as well as the incredible talent of its artists.

Currently in the spotlight with the release of her debut record Favourites And Roses, is transfem artist Sue Nami. The record, which dropped on August 29th, is a bold, multi-genre collection that reflects her eclectic influences as well as the breadth of her lived experiences. 

Sue reveals that tracks like Tears Fall Like Rain come from a lifetime of being bullied, while Over The Moon For You and Boy You’re Mine explore the love between two people. “All of the songs give a taste of what I can do in every genre.’ Sue explains.

As for the name of the record, Sue reveals that she was inspired by the famous Forrest Gump quote, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”. 

Further explaining the significance of the title, Sue says, “This album, which contains genres like pop, bluegrass, heavy metal, house, and more, is a box of chocolates. The name is also a tribute to the two most iconic boxes of chocolates in Australia”.

If there’s a thread running through the record, it’s Sue’s knack for storytelling. Lyrics, she says, come naturally. “Lyrics are my bread and butter, so for me, I know exactly what I want to say,” she reflects. 

Even when the process was emotionally intense, she embraced the challenge. “Every song was written amidst a lot of emotion or very strong inspiration.”

One of the more unusual tracks is Boy You’re Mine, which Sue originally wrote for a friend’s wedding. “She was from Colombia, so we decided to make the song as Colombian as possible. To do this, I used Google Translate to add one line of Spanish to the chorus and practised the pronunciation.” 

It’s an anecdote that speaks to Sue’s restless creativity and shows that she is willing to push herself beyond her comfort zone to honour the story that each song needs to tell.

The process of bringing Favourites And Roses into the world was an education in what it means to be an independent artist. 

“What I learned is that as an artist how many hats we have to wear. I was way out of my depth a lot of times, from writing the draft for the press release to coming up with a vision for the music video and contacting dance schools to hire dancers,” Sue recalls. 

“I have also emailed every community radio station and commercial radio station across Australia and internationally. I have also designed and ordered prototypes for all of my merchandise and clothing. There are many roles that I take on ambitiously.” 

This is a revealing insight into the realities of building a career in today’s music industry, where self-management, marketing and DIY hustle are often as crucial as the music itself.

For Sue, the hope is that Favourites And Roses will resonate with listeners beyond just sonics. “I hope they are moved”, she says simply. While Tears Fall Like Rain and Whale Watching In The Sky carry stark messages, she also highlights 30 Feels So Old.

“It’s all about liver and diabetes and warns of the dangers of binge-drinking and sugar intake as a young person,” she says. “I hope they remember that every action has a consequence and their body is a temple.” 

This mixture of vulnerability, activism and personal reflection makes Favourites And Roses feel like a statement of intent from an artist who has much more to say.

And much more to say, she has! Sue reveals that she has plans for albums over the next three years, saying. “In 2026, I’m releasing my rap album and punk album,” she begins. “In 2027, I’m releasing my pride album and Christmas EP, and in 2028, I’ll be releasing my Christmas album. Soon, I’ll start planning 2029.”

It’s an ambitious roadmap and one that speaks to Sue’s drive and her deep connection to music as a form of expression across genres. But if that wasn’t enough, she also reveals plans to start an online clothing store tied to her music.

Despite is eclecticism, Sue’s grounding in country music is evident. “Growing up, country music was always played at home; country music will always be the closest to my heart,” she says. “In high school, I discovered hip hop, pop punk, rock and all of the other genres I listen to. 

“Every song on my album was inspired by different artists, sounds and pop culture.” 

This patchwork of influence gives Favourites And Roses its particular flavour and makes it unafraid to blend sounds and tell personal truths.

For Wild At Heart Records, supporting Sue Nami is exactly the kind of work that drives their mission. 

“Our work is in huge demand because it gives musicians and songwriters with disabilities an industry-standard platform to work from in an industry where inaccessibility is still way too common,” a representative for the label shares.

But their role is not just about representation. “The music Wild At Heart is releasing is fresh, original and high-quality from artists whose perspectives and stories aren’t heard much. It adds richness to the cultural landscape and creates a sense of community and support, which is something the mainstream industry can sometimes lack.”

In a music climate increasingly shaped by independent projects and grassroots movements, Wild At Heart feels especially relevant. “It’s not just filling a gap – it’s showing what a more equitable and inclusive music industry could look like.”

For those involved, working at Wild At Heart is deeply rewarding. “It’s about the motivation that comes from working with talented artists who have no other pathway to support their original work and artistic development,” the label representative says. 

“It’s exciting to see the fresh new work being created through Wild At Heart and being released into the music scene… we believe in the potential for this music to change the world for the better!”

And while the label continues to grow its reach, there are ways the public can get involved. With many artists getting by on the disability pension, donations are most welcome. Money given will be put towards getting artists into a recording studio and allowing them to work with other music industry-level musicians and have their music distributed.

At its core, Wild At Heart is far more than your everyday record label. It’s a community, and artists like Sue Nami are proof of what can happen when marginalised voices are given the resources and platform they deserve. 

With her ambitious plans for the years ahead and a debut record that refuses to be boxed into a single genre, Sue is certainly carving out a path that is uniquely her own.

Sue Nami’s Favourites And Roses is out now.