If Australian high school talent was being graded, it’d cop a big A+.
Once again, the annual search for the best high school acts in the country has led us to meeting some incredible new artists from every corner of the genre pool.
The only downside? Having to narrow down more than x entries to just five finalists. Not only are each in the running to be crowned Unearthed High champs, they also join a stacked list of former finalists including The Kid Laroi, Genesis Owusu, Tia Gostelow, Hockey Dad, Nick Ward and more.
"As well as budding artists with potential that's plain to see, this year's crop of acts has included ready-made stars that we'll no doubt see on festival stages and hear on the radio in the very near future. They’ve all got the ambition, abilities and - most importantly - the great songs to make that happen," said Unearthed's Music Director Dave Ruby Howe.
So, without further ado, let’s meet the finalists for Unearthed High 2022.
JACOTÉNE – I Need Therapy
Kulin Nations (Melbourne, VIC)
School: Star of the Sea College
Though uploaded a few days before the competition closed, JACOTÉNE didn’t need much time to seriously impress with her huge debut ‘I Need Therapy’. In just over two minutes, the 16-year-old powerhouse vocalist channels the soulfulness of Amy Winehouse and Adele, as well as the UKG-inspired production of Mark Ronson.
KAYPS – MIMOSA!
Whadjuk Noongar Country (Perth, WA)
School: Helena College
He’s back again, and he means business! After placing as a finalist in last year’s competition, KAYPS dropped ‘MIMOSA!’ with the intention to do it again. As we’ve come to expect from Walmatjarri and Bunuba artist and producer, the bars are sizzling, the flow is fast and the beat is furious.
Mika James – Witchy Woman
Wurundjeri Country (Melbourne, VIC)
School: Princes Hill Secondary College
Prepare to be completely spellbound by Mika James. Known for her work as the drummer in local outfit The Vovos, Mika’s anthemic debut ‘Witchy Woman’ sees her step to the front with a Julia Jacklin-esque upload that she describes as “an ode to the punk within the folk, the mess and the romance of art making.”
Sunsick Daisy – Someone Like You
Kaurna Land (Adelaide, SA)
School: Charles Campbell College
Representing the bands in this year’s bunch of finalists is none other than Sunsick Daisy. After forming late last year during a school holiday songwriting workshop, the four-piece have been busy supporting the likes of TOWNS and past Unearthed High champs Teenage Joans, before releasing their warm, dreamy shoegaze track ‘Someone Like You’.
Theo Landish – FEELINGS CHANGE
Awabakal Land (Newcastle, NSW)
School: Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus
It’s no wonder Theo Landish cites former Unearthed High finalist The Kid Laroi as an influence. In ‘FEELINGS CHANGE’, the African-Australian R&B artist puts his heart-on-his-sleeve lyricism and undeniable vocals to the forefront, tapping into the emotive stylings of Laroi, The Weeknd and Don Toliver.