Triple J Unearthed#Festival lineup additions
{{Infobox radio station
| name = Triple J Unearthed
| logo = Triple j Unearthed logo.svg
| logo_size = 240
| country = Australia
| area = Australia and internationally online
| frequency = DAB+ or DVB-T Ch. 29
| language = English
| format = Independent Australian music
| owner = Australian Broadcasting Corporation
| sister_stations = {{hlist|Triple J|Double J|Hottest}}
| founded = 1995 (talent competition){{br}}2006 (online platform){{br}}2011 (digital radio station)
| airdate = {{Start date and age|2011|10|5|df=yes}}
| website = {{URL|triplejunearthed.com}}
}}
Triple J Unearthed is an Australian digital radio station and online music discovery platform. It is a sister station of Triple J, owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Unearthed began in 1995 as a regional talent competition open to unsigned musicians. In 2006, the Unearthed website was launched as a way for local artists to have their music heard by the station's team and listeners. As of 2023, the platform hosts over 170,000 tracks from over 85,000 independent musicians. Its success led to the launch of a dedicated digital radio station in 2011, which only plays Australian music uploaded to the site.
Cited as a "revolutionary idea" that "arguably changed the entire Australian music landscape,"{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Neil |date=10 November 2016 |title=Picking Hits, Missing The Boat On 'Riptide' & Building A Legacy: Ten Years Of Unearthed |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/picking-hits-missing-the-boat-on-riptide-and-building-a-legacy-ten-years-of-unearthed/D6QAAwIFBAc/10-11-16 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=The Music |language=en}} the Unearthed brand has been responsible for discovering some of Australia's most celebrated musical acts, including Flume, Missy Higgins, Vance Joy, Gang of Youths and Grinspoon. The network continues to host initiatives to progress independent artists in the industry, including Unearthed High, an annual award given to high school musicians to have their work recorded professionally.
Formats
= Talent competition (1995–2005) =
File:Missy Higgins Photo by Joel Cangy.jpg says her 2001 Unearthed success led to her initial record deal and subsequent success.{{Cite web |date=2 December 2022 |title=The Sound Of Missy Higgins |url=https://www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/article/the-sound-of-missy-higgins |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Mackay and Whitsunday Life}}]]
In July 1995, Triple J launched its regional Unearthed competition,{{Cite web |last=Hanna |first=Michelle |date=9 August 2006 |title=Unearthed… a new beginning |url=https://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/unearthed-a-new-beginning/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-AU}} asking independent musicians to send in their demos. The winner's track would be professionally recorded and played on the station.{{Cite web |date=27 August 2004 |title=Can you dig it? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/can-you-dig-it-20040827-gdjmka.html |url-access=limited |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} Over the years, several now-notable Australian artists had been discovered through the initiative, including Missy Higgins (2001), Killing Heidi (1996) and Grinspoon, the first winners in 1995.{{Cite web |last=Condon |first=Dan |date=17 August 2017 |title=The J Files: Grinspoon |url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/programs/the-j-files/grinspoon/10274464 |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=Double J |language=en-AU}} As of 2006, Triple J had travelled to over 43 regions around Australia and "unearthed" over 100 bands, most of which had gone on to independently release albums and score distribution deals.
= Website (2006–present) =
In 2006, former Triple J manager Linda Bracken ideated an online platform that would allow unsigned musicians to be heard by the station's team, as well as by listeners.{{Cite web |date=3 November 2016 |title=10 years of triplej Unearthed.com |url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/programs/the-j-files/10-years-of-triplej-unearthedcom/10274600 |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=Double J |language=en-AU}} She was inspired by the similar New Music Canada initiative by CBC Radio 3.
{{Blockquote|text=The future of a band's success in Australia shouldn't rely on someone's ability to hire a publicist and an A&R guy.|author=Linda Bracken}}
With funding from the Australia Council for the Arts, Bracken and software engineer Ann Chesterman – who saw the idea as "being at the heart of the ecosystem of Australian music" – built a prototype for the Unearthed website. The site's launch, on 9 August 2006, marked "a new beginning" for the Unearthed brand. Thousands of tracks were uploaded within the first week of the site being online. By 2010, about 100 songs were being uploaded onto the Unearthed website every day. As of 2023, it hosts over 170,000 tracks from over 85,000 independent musicians.{{Cite web |date=20 July 2023 |title=Home |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplejunearthed/ |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Triple J Unearthed |language=en |quote=Established in 1995, triple j Unearthed has kicked off the careers of thousands of Australian musicians. With over 170,000 tracks from around 85,000 different artists, it"s also the spot to meet your new favourite artist.}}
In 2021, the website received its first major redesign since its initial launch.{{Cite web |date=27 October 2021 |title=Welcome to the new triple j Unearthed website! |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/whats-new-triple-j-unearthed-website-2021/13555350 |access-date=16 July 2023 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}}
On 18 December 2024, the New South Wales Police Force alleged that two men used the Unearthed website– particularly its profile customisation features, like writing a user bio– to recruit a Goulburn Correctional Centre inmate to carry out a stabbing on gang leader Bassam Hamzy in February that year.{{Cite news |last=Pasricha |first=Simran |date=18 December 2024 |title=Triple J Was Allegedly Used To Coordinate Prison Attack On Organised Crime Boss Bassam Hamzy |url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/triple-j-bassam-hamzy/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |work=Pedestrian}} The ABC, which owns Triple J, did not comment on the matter.{{Cite news |last=Nguyen |first=Kevin |date=18 December 2024 |title=NSW Police charge two men after ABC Triple J Unearthed website allegedly used to plan stabbing inside Goulburn prison |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-18/goulburn-prison-recruit-stabbing-abc-triple-j-unearthed-website/104740958 |access-date=18 December 2024 |work=ABC News}}
= Digital radio station (2011–present) =
Seeing the success of the website, Unearthed executive producer Stephanie Carrick and ABC Music director Chris Scaddan ideated with creating a dedicated digital radio station to accompany the online platform. It was launched on 5 October 2011,{{Cite web |last=Bull |first=Gerry |date=25 August 2011 |title=On Wednesday 5 October 2011 triple j and ABC Radio will launch a second triple j station: triple j Unearthed |url=https://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/on-wednesday-5-october-2011-triple-j-and-abc-radio-will-launch-a-second-triple-j-station-triple-j-unearthed/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-AU}} on digital radio in the five major Australian capital cities, and via the Unearthed website.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Jim |date=25 August 2011 |title=Triple J Launch Unearthed Radio Station |url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/triple-j-launch-unearthed-radio-station/ |access-date=14 July 2023 |website=Tone Deaf |language=en-AU}}
Initiatives
= Unearthed High =
File:Gretta Ray, St Kilda Festival, Feb 2017.jpg won Unearthed High in 2016.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=18 August 2016 |title=Gretta Ray Wins 2016 Triple J Unearthed High Competition |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/gretta-ray-wins-2016-triple-j-unearthed-high-competition/pbm2ubi7ur0/18-08-16 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=The Music |language=en}} She released her second studio album in 2023, which debuted at number 17 on the ARIA Charts.{{Cite web |date=25 August 2023 |title=Genesis breaks the top 5 |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/genesis-breaks-the-top-5 |access-date=17 September 2023 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |language=en}}]]
Every year since 2008, Triple J Unearthed has held a competition aimed at musicians and bands in high school. The winner receives mentoring, recording opportunities and airplay on Triple J. Recent acts to have found success with the initiative include Hockey Dad (2014), The Kid Laroi (2018), Genesis Owusu (2015) Japanese Wallpaper (2014) and Gretta Ray (2016).{{Cite web |date=14 March 2023 |title=Celebrating 15 years of triple j Unearthed High |url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/celebrating-15-years-of-triple-j-unearthed-high/ |access-date=16 July 2023 |website=RadioInfo}}
Celebrating 15 years of the competition in 2023, Triple J held a one-night, all-ages concert during Vivid Sydney featuring notable past entrants, including Lastlings and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers.
| class="wikitable"
|+List of Unearthed High winners, selected finalists and Indigenous Initiative winners !Year !Winner !Notable finalists !Indigenous Initiative Winner |
| 2008
|– |– |
| 2009
|Hunting Grounds |– |– |
| 2010
|– |– |
| 2011
|– |– |
| 2012
|Asta |– |
| 2013
|Lunatics on Pogosticks |– |
| 2014
|– |
| 2015
|Mosquito Coast |– |
| 2016 |
| 2017
|Arno Faraji |Ninajirachi |
| 2018
|Kian |River & Isles |
| 2019
|Mali Jo$e, Nick Ward |
| 2020
|– |Rudeboy E |
| 2021
| - |Kayps |
| 2022
|Jacoténe |– |Proud Noongar Boys |
| 2023
|Lee |Elianie, ixaras, Lotte Gallagher, REDD |Inkabee |
| 2024
|Mariae Cassandra |Chris Vincent, That Gurl Bella, Zafty, Frank and Louis |RIAH |
= Indigenous opportunities =
File:Becca Hatch performing in Sydney.jpg
As an extension of Unearthed High, the Indigenous Initiative commemorates the best First Nations artist. Notable past winners have included Aodhan (2019), Becca Hatch (2017) and Tia Gostelow (2016).{{Cite web |date=13 June 2023 |title=Unearthed High for 2023 is Officially Open |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/unearthed-high-for-2023-is-officially-open/102456064 |access-date=16 July 2023 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}} The network also holds an annual competition open to Indigenous Australian artists, with the winner selected to play at the National Indigenous Music Awards. Past winners have included Thelma Plum, Baker Boy, Alice Skye and Dallas Woods.{{cite web |date=15 June 2020 |title=Wanna play the National Indigenous Music Awards? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/nima-2020-unearthed-competition-open/12355172 |access-date=14 February 2022 |website=triple j}}{{cite web |date=18 July 2019 |title=Dallas Woods takes out the Unearthed NIMAs comp |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/dallas-woods-takes-out-the-unearthed-national-indigenous-music/11320956 |access-date=14 February 2022 |website=triple j}} Unearthed has also run a number of First Nations specific competitions that has seen artists added to festivals such as First & Forever and Treaty Day Out.{{Cite web |last=Pulford |first=Adam |date=2023-03-28 |title=Deadly lineup for Treaty Day Out Naarm! |url=https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/news/treaty-day-out-naarm-lineup-announced/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria |language=en-AU}}
= Festival lineup additions =
Triple J often holds competitions that see a winning Unearthed artist join a major music festival's lineup. In the past, winners have performed at Splendour in the Grass,{{Cite web |date=29 May 2023 |title=Acts on Unearthed, we wanna add you to the Splendour in the Grass line up |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/unearthed-comp-splendour-in-the-grass-2023/102400228 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}} Groovin' the Moo,{{Cite web |date=30 March 2023 |title=A round of applause for your six Groovin the Moo comp winners |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/meet-six-regional-acts-who-have-won-groovin-the-moo-comp-2023/102163880 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}} Falls Festival,{{Cite web |date=4 October 2022 |title=Wanna play Falls Festival alongside Lil Nas X, Chrvches and more? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/falls-festival-unearthed-competition-2022/101498634 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}} Big Day Out, Laneway Festival and A More Perfect Union.{{Cite web |date=8 June 2022 |title=Gang Of Youths to pick two local acts to play handpicked festival |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/gang-of-youths-more-perfect-union-festival-comp-2022/13918888 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}}
= Artist collaboration competitions =
Unearthed occasionally run competitions where winning artists can work with renowned producers or songwriters.{{Cite web |last=Zylstra |first=Tione |date=20 July 2023 |title=Unearthing Aussie Artists: The Triple J Effect |url=https://purplesneakers.com.au/features/unearthing-aussie-artists-the-triple-j-effect/v3F909LV1Nc/20-07-23 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Purple Sneakers |language=en}} In 2023, Flume released a half-finished track, and Unearthed artists were encouraged to share how they would complete the song to win – the final track, produced by Blacktown rapper Isaac Puerile, received national airplay.{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Jessie |date=24 April 2023 |title=Here's Your Chance To Make A Song With Flume For Triple J's UNFINISHED Competition |url=https://purplesneakers.com.au/news/triple-j-announced-unfinished-flume/h5Y1m5qdnJ8/24-04-23 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Purple Sneakers |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=9 June 2023 |title=Let's Hear it for Isaac Puerile, our Unfinished: Flume Comp Winner |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/comp-unfinished-flume/102461274 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}} The same year, Unearthed artists were given the opportunity to work with award-winning songwriter Sarah Aarons.{{Cite web |date=27 April 2023 |title=It’s the songwriter whose work has topped global charts for weeks and now YOU can create a tune with her! |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/program-unearthed/collab-comp-write-a-song-with-arah-aarons-2023/102268814 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Triple J |language=en-AU}}
In the past, these competitions have also seen entrants remix songs from Lorde and DMA's,{{Cite web |last=Jenke |first=Tyler |date=2017-10-18 |title=triple j have announced the finalists for their Lorde remix competition |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/triple-j-finalists-lorde-remix/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=The Music Network}}{{Cite web |author=Staff Writers |title=triple j announces 2018 Unearthed remix competition with DMA'S |url=https://scenestr.com.au/music/triple-j-announces-2018-unearthed-remix-competition-with-dma-s-20180920 |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=scenestr - Pop Culture & Entertainment |language=en-gb}} as well as creating "DIY supergroups" out of samples from notable artists provided by Triple J.{{Cite web |last=Bruce |first=Jasper |date=2020-04-20 |title=triple j Unearthed announce DIY Supergroup loop competition |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/triple-j-unearthed-announce-diy-supergroup-loop-competition-2650467 |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=NME |language=en-AU}}
= COVID-19 grants =
In June 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Unearthed handed out 16 grants to artists on the platform valued at $7,000 each, to record new music, produce music videos and promote their work.{{Cite web |date=30 June 2020 |title=16 Aussie artists are about to Level Up with triple j Unearthed |url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/16-aussie-artists-are-about-level-triple-j-unearthed/ |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=RadioInfo}}
Impact
Writing for online magazine Tone Deaf in 2022, Holley Gawne wrote Triple J has been "so successful ... in boosting the profiles of some of the industry’s biggest and brightest."{{Cite web |last=Gawne |first=Holley |date=26 January 2022 |title=The best Aussie artists discovered through triple j unearthed |url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/best-aussie-artists-discovered-through-triple-j-unearthed/ |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Tone Deaf |language=en-AU}} Triple J music director Ruby Howe said Unearthed "was a pretty revolutionary idea."
= Notable alumni =
{{Multiple image
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = Flume 2014 (14864514016) (cropped).jpg
| image2 = Vance Joy (45670341855) (cropped).jpg
| total_width = 260
| caption1 = Flume originally uploaded his debut single to the Unearthed website.
| caption2 = "Riptide" by Vance Joy received early success on Unearthed.
}}
In its first form as a regional talent competition, Unearthed discovered then-local musicians Missy Higgins and Sophie Koh, and bands Grinspoon, Killing Heidi and Sick Puppies.
The launch of the website led to the rise of hundreds of more artists and according to The Music, "arguably changed the entire Australian music landscape." Flume, one of the "world's most prominent producers" according to Rolling Stone,{{Cite web |last=Lowther |first=Laura Jane |author-link=Kučka |date=18 February 2021 |title=50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time – #9: Flume |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/50-greatest-australian-artists-of-all-time-flume-22948/ |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}} debuted with a single on Unearthed titled "Possum" in 2011. Brisbane indie pop band Ball Park Music began uploading to the site in 2008, while Gang of Youths uploaded a demo as well as their debut single "Evangelists" in 2013.
When a then-unsigned Vance Joy uploaded "Riptide" to the platform, Howe said his team played the track "about 100 times on Unearthed radio" prior to its enormous success – the track is now certified 16× platinum and ended up polling at number one in the Hottest 100 of 2013.
On February 15, 2019 Tones and I uploaded her debut single "Johnny Run Away" to Triple J Unearthed. The track was picked up by the team, and Tones and I would go on to win an Unearthed competition to perform at Splendour in the Grass. The video of her performance of "Dance Monkey" at the festival has since been viewed over 130 million times, and the song has become the most streamed Australian track of all time on Spotify.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|triplejunearthed.com}}
{{triple j}}
{{Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1996 establishments in Australia
Category:2006 establishments in Australia
Category:Internet properties established in 2006
Category:Radio stations established in 2011