Triple J Unearthed winners credit Northern Rivers roots for their success

Watch out Skeggs, the next big band on the Australian music scene could soon steal your local claim to fame following this awesome Triple J win.

Watch out Skeggs, the next big band on the Australian music scene could soon steal your Northern Rivers claim to fame.

The Rions and lead singer Noah Blockley were named winners of this year’s Triple J Unearthed High competition for their song Night Light.

While 17-year-old Noah calls the Northern Beaches home it’s hard to ignore the deep Northern Rivers influence on the talented up-and-comer.

His mum grew up in Kyogle, his dad studied music at Southern Cross University, and his grandma runs the popular Facebook page Humans of Lismore.

The band even got their start busking in Lismore, Byron Bay and playing the few odd gigs at Ballina’s Shaws Bay Hotel.

“(My dad) taught me most of what I know,” Noah said.

“From a very young age, I wanted sing and learn how to play the guitar, it’s something that’s always been in my family.”

Noah, “stoked” with the win, said he was still coming to terms with his new-found success.

“I remember always listen to Triple J growing up saying, ‘I’m going to have on a song on there’, I was kidding but here we are,” he said.

“This is a dream come true, I never thought this would happen to us.”

Inspired by surf rock, the band has been compared to legends such as Ocean Alley, Mako Road and Arctic Monkeys and was even complimented on their big win by Lime Cordiale, Spacey Jane, and Tones & I.

“A lot of musicians we have always looked up to have come out of shadows and been super helpful,” Noah said.

“It’s almost surreal.”

The Rions are inspired by a mix of bands including Arctic Monkeys Spacey Jane & Dayglow and Lime Cordiale. Credit: Unified Music Group

It’s a long way from the Year7 music class where the band caught the eye of Mr Stone (Angus and Julia’s dad), but Noah can’t wait for the next step.

“The first thing we hope to do now is release a song as soon as possible,” he said.

“Work off this hype, try and work that into a new song … and work our way back into live music.

“I’m super excited to get back into performing live.”

Check them out here.