triple j have today announced that their annual Unearthed High competition is back for its 13th year as it searches for the best high school-aged talent in the country.
First beginning back in 2008, triple j Unearthed again set their sights on uncovering some of the most exciting talent in the country, with the focus being restricted to those whose music had likely never been heard outside of their school music room.
Before long, some of the biggest names in local music were being discovered thanks to the annual competition, with the likes of Japanese Wallpaper, Snakadaktal, Asta, Arno Faraji, Gretta Ray, and most recently, George Alice all being crowned as winners over the years.
“I didn’t expect anything at all to come from Unearthed High, I honestly just wanted to be a part of it and to hopefully learn a thing or two from experience!” 2019 winner George Alice explained. “Not only did I meet so many great people along the way, but I get to do what I’ve always wanted to do and be who I really am.
“It’s still sinking in a year later, but winning Unearthed High really changed my life and gave me countless opportunities to succeed.”
Now, the annual school-aged talent search is back once again, with entries for the Class of 2020 opening today. All that potential musicians need to do to enter the competition is to upload an original piece of music to triple j Unearthed before midnight on Monday, August 24th.
As is tradition, the winner of the competition will receive music industry advice from the Unearthed team, while triple j will help the artist record, mix or master their music, which will be played on triple j and triple j Unearthed.
Meanwhile, the best Unearthed High entry from an Indigenous artist will receive an ongoing mentorship from the Association of Artist Managers (AAM), as well as a songwriting workshop for their school by the APRA AMCOS Songmakers program.
Lastly, triple j Unearthed radio will also broadcast a weekly special at 3:30pm each Wednesday named ‘The Class of…’, which will see previous Unearthed High alumni George Alice, Arno Faraji, Gretta Ray, Hockey Dad, and Ninajirachi, sharing their favourite 2020 entries from their genre of choice. It all kicks off on Wednesday, July 29th, and runs until August 26th.
