Triple J’s Unearthed High won by Adelaide’s Teenage Joans
Two Adelaide teenagers and best mates are on their way to pop-punk stardom after beating almost 2000 others to win Triple J’s national Unearthed High competition.
Entertainment
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An Adelaide schoolgirl is one half of a talented singing duo recognised as the next big thing in the Australian music scene.
Indie pop-punk sensation Teenage Joans, fronted by Gleeson College’s Tahlia Borg, 17, and friend Cahli Blakers, 19, has been named the winner of Triple J’s Unearthed High competition.
The Adelaide teen artists beat 1700 other young hopefuls to take out the number-one spot in 2020.
It is the second year in a row the major national competition has been won by South Australian talent, with Gawler soloist George Alice winning in 2019.
Due to COVID-19, a novel approach to announcing the winner was taken with Year 12 student Tahlia receiving the good news about the pair’s winning entry, Three Leaf Clover, during a surprise video session delivered to her during class, post a final exam trial.
“I’m crying and I’m shaking but it’s really cool and I’m really excited,” Tahlia said.
“To win means a lot because we have worked so hard to get where we are today – we played gigs all last year to get to this place.”
Tahlia, who is hoping to study behavioural science/psychology at university next year said she planned to continue to pursue her passion for music.
“(Last year) I studied a Certificate III in music, performance and songwriting at Music SA (which I) combined with my studies at Gleeson,” she said.
Triple J Unearthed music director Dave Ruby Howe said Three Leaf Clover was a track that “really gets you a vision of what is ahead for the band”.
“After much deliberation, we’re thrilled to announce that the winner of this year’s Unearthed High competition is Teenage Joans from Gleeson College in Adelaide,” he said.
“The Adelaide duo rose to the top of the class this year showing stacks of potential to make a mark on the Australian music scene.
“You can already picture the heaving moshes at their live shows, loose road trips in the tour van and the cult fandom that’s sure to spawn span accounts and inspire tattoos of their lyrics.”
A requirement of entry in the competition launched 13 years ago that attracted record entries in 2020 is that at least 50 per cent of the ensemble is in high school.
Tahlia and Cahli have been labelled by the judges as “two of the coolest kids in Adelaide”.
“Teenage Joans make snappy, rough and tumble garage rock … we promise (their music will) have your head thrashing in no time,” the judges said.
The teenagers, who met through a mutual friend, have been making music together for two years, performing in more than 60 live shows in 2019 and supporting acts such as Ruby Fields and The Hard Aches on tour.
Teenage Joans join Triple J Unearthed High alumni including KIAN, Gretta Ray, Montaigne, The Kid Laroi, Hockey Dad and Arno Faraji, staples of the Australian music scene.
The winner historically flies to the radio station’s studios in Sydney to record a new original song professionally.
A decision whether to delay this due to pandemic restrictions, or have it recorded in Adelaide, is still being made.
Tahlia and Cahli will also be given the chance to be mentored and supported by the Association of Artist Managers and also a well-known Australian artist, yet to be named.