MELBOURNE, Australia — After 30 years with Mushroom Group, and upwards of four decades in the Australian music industry, Dean McLachlan is calling it a day.
The label veteran joined Mushroom Group in 1997 as promotions manager, initially working on Kylie Minogue’s Impossible Princess and Hunters & Collectors’ Juggernaut.
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Then, he served in various roles with Mushroom Music Publishing, Mushroom Pictures and Liberation Music, and in 2017 became general manager of Bloodlines, the label co-founded by the late Michael Gudinski and Warren Costello and now part of Mushroom Music. He was promoted to managing director of Bloodlines in 2021.
With the creation of Mushroom Music in July 2024, McLachlan was appointed senior director, iconic artists and catalogue, working across the business’s recording and publishing divisions, with a remit to continue steering the songwriting and releases of Mushroom’s artists, writers and prestigious catalogues.
Mushroom Music was described at the time of formation as a “powerhouse operation” which gathered the roster of artists and writers from across the music specialist’s recording, publishing and neighbouring rights activities, from Vance Joy to Kylie Minogue, The Teskey Brothers, Jimmy Barnes, Childish Gambino, Kehlani, Julia Jacklin and many others.
Matt Gudinski, CEO of the Melbourne-based independent music colossus, lauds McLachlan for his integrity, passion, unwavering loyalty, and enduring contribution to the business and its artists.
“A few years ago,” remarks Gudinski in a statement, “when we launched a new annual staff award to recognise the person who best embodies the energy and spirit of Mushroom, there was only one possible first recipient – Dean.” McLachlan, he continues, “has helped shape the careers of so many remarkable artists in both the recording and publishing business – and having learned his craft under my father and Warren Costello, he is a student of two of the best in the industry.”
McLachlan now moves into a consulting role on an advisory capacity, for a three year period.
“It’s impossible to overstate the mark Dean’s made,” adds Mushroom Music co-CEO Linda Bosidis. “No one matches the passion, loyalty or the depth of relationships he’s built. A true music lover, he listens on repeat, buys the t-shirt, stands front row, drives to regional gigs no one else can find, with stamina to outlast half the crowd.” The outgoing exec “brings the vibe and his authenticity draws artists and industry icons, not just out of respect but genuine affection. Dean is one of the most steadfast, incomparable and generous people you’ll ever meet. Our industry is better for having him”
Early on, McLachlan cut his teeth in retail with a three-year stint with Katies Cards and Records, followed by a decade at EMI Records.
“I leave with lifelong friendships,” continues McLachlan in a statement, “some stretching back more than four decades – and an enormous sense of pride in being forever connected to Mushroom and our artists. These relationships and memories are, without question, the greatest achievements of my career.”