We know you've been itching to find out the winner of this song writing comp and today is the day...
A few months ago, we teamed up with one of the most renowned songwriters in the world who generously offered her time and creativity to host a songwriting session with an emerging Australian artist from Unearthed.
She goes by the name of Sarah Aarons and she's responsible for creating some absolute earworms. Chart toppers such as 'The Middle' (ZEDD), bangers such as 'Painkiller' (Ruel) and the Hottest 100 winning 'Say Nothing' (Flume and MAY-A), were all brainchildren of this world renowned talent.
So it's no secret that this was an incredibly rare, valuable and unique opportunity.
And evidently you (the triple j Unearthed artist community) felt the same way. As anticipated, sooooo manyyoungt Australian artists reached out and threw their mic in the ring to be in the running.
In fact, in during the competition period we received over 200 expressions of interest!
Once it closed we compiled every single applicant and flicked them over to Sarah to sieve through and choose from (yes that's right, all 200+ artists). She spent time with each application listening to your music and reading up about your vision and artistry.
And now, the final decision has been made.
We know we said there was going to be one winner but as the calibre of entries was so high, Sarah couldn't keep it to one, she's chosen two winners. She's conducting IRL recording sessions with these winners, and not content with just that she's even chosen another special act to jump on a zoom with for a little Q&A sesh.
So... it's finally time to meet your Sarah Aarons comp winners.
IRL session winner
With an upbringing immersed in music, one could say that Jude York was made for moments like this. Fostering a safe digital space for the queer community to feel celebrated and cared for, this empathetic act is piecing together a catalogue best described as the feeling of a 'warm hug'. Writing emphatic, hook heavy pop songs with a left of center tilt, Jude York is aiming to break boundaries and push his artistry beyond Aussie shores. With that voice coupled with the chance to write a song with one of the world's best songwriters? He just might.
IRL session winner
This seventeen-year-old singer-songwriter and producer from Melbourne's West is proving that age really is just a number. With his passion for music production and creativity manifesting in everything he touches, Marlowe Wilton has been levelling up over the past few years and this opportunity feels so conducive to that inevitable development. His penchant for wild stylistic jumps and genre melding experimentation is going to make for something special in the forthcoming songwriting session.
Zoom session winner
Whilst information online about Alyssa Mitsue proves scarce, this act from Naarm/Melbourne really lets her music do the talking. For fans of the delicate lyricism of Holly Humberstone and intricate production of Phoebe Bridges, this is an act you most definitely need to have on your radar. She's only just shared her debut demo on Unearthed and not only has our team been falling in love with her but evidentially Sarah's been drawn in too!