Unearthed is the name of a Triple J project to find and "dig up" (hence the name) hidden talent in Australia.
Contents
Unearthed has had three incarnations – they first visited each region of Australia where Triple J had a transmitter – 41 regions in all. It started with the more rural areas but eventually the capital cities were covered as well. The second lasted from 2002 to 2005 and visited each state only once. In 2006 the format changed to be a more internet driven competition. Instead of the rounds travelling across Australia, artists are now required to upload their music in mp3 format to be judged. In early 2008 Triple J launched the 'Unearthed High' competition. This run parallel to the existent internet based Unearthed competition, but only allowed high school aged bands to submit original work. Triple J Unearthed digital radio was launched on 5 October 2011. Many triple j Unearthed live music clips has featured on Rage and Fly TV.
Third round (2006– )
On Wednesday August 9, 2006, the third round of Unearthed was launched with their own website, triplejunearthed.com. Now bands and musicians hoping to be Unearthed upload their music in mp3 format to the website, along with a photo and biography. All music can be listened to on the website through a flash jukebox or individual tracks can be downloaded. Registered users can also rate and review music and create their own playlists which they can email to friends. Triple J regularly runs competitions which usually take the form of selecting a band or musician which has listed themselves on the website, to play as a support act at major festivals. The first act Unearthed was "E.E.S.", a hip-hop crew from regional New South Wales who performed at the Strikeback Festival in Newcastle on 30 September 2006.
Competitions Winners:
Unearthed High (2008– )
During early 2008 Triple J launched the biggest unearthed competition ever, the 'Unearthed High' competition. This new competition, run parallel to the existent internet based Unearthed competition required high school aged bands to submit original work.
2008 Finalists
The inaugural winners, [is], were announced on 10 June from a shortlist of finalists with their song 'Cult Romance'. [is] in December 2008 announced a name change to Tom Ugly. According to frontman Tom this was "mostly due to the fact that you can't search [is]. It's completely unsearchable on the internet. Plus we like the name anyway, Tom Ugly. And it suits the format of the way we write."
2009 Finalists
The 2009 competition was won by Howl, a 6 piece band with their song "Blackout". Howl came from Ballarat High School.
2010 Finalists
The 2010 competition was won by Iotah, a band composed of four sisters, heavily influenced by old school rock – screeching vocals, electrifying riffs, keys and driving beats are streaming from the cracks of a shed in the hills. They come from Gisborne Secondary College. Iotah subsequently changed their name to Stonefield after discovering a local cabaret performer had been using the name iOTA for several years.
2011 Finalists
The 2011 competition was won by Snakadaktal, a 5 piece band with their song "Chimera". The winner came for Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School.
2012 Finalists
The 2012 competition was won by the soloist ASTA, she and Cal Young produced the song "My Heart Is On Fire" in her boyfriends bedroom. The winner is from Rosny College in Hobart.
2013 Finalists
2014 Finalists
2015 Finalists
2016 Finalists Carl Renshaw, Gretta Ray, Lastlings, Ninajirachi and Tia Gostelow
2016 winner Gretta Ray, Princes Hill Secondary College, Melbourne
Triple J Unearthed Digital Radio (2011- )
On 5 October 2011 Triple J Unearthed was launched as a radio station available on digital radio and online.