Umina singer Sam Windley announced as a Triple J Unearthed High 2020 finalist
A Umina teenager has been recognised as one of Australia’s most talented high students by triple j in the annual Unearthed High competition.
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With inspiration from the like of The Beatles, Miles Davis and Joni Mitchell, it’s no wonder a Umina singer/songwriter is among Australia’s most talented.
Sam Windley, 16, is keen for a future in music and is on the right track after being named as a finalist in the triple j’s annual Unearthed High competition
The Brisbane Water Secondary College Year 12 student is one of five finalists selected from talented high school students across the country, after uploading songs to the triple j site.
Windley said she was quiet when she heard the news, but was celebrating inside.
“My family was so excited. It’s pretty cool,” she said.
She described herself as a folk rock artist who has been singing and songwriter since a young age.
“It’s sort of pop music as well but not typical pop music. I would say it’s interesting pop music,” she said.
Windley said she has been singing forever and first picked up a guitar at the age of six.
She has also performed at markets across the coast.
“When I was 12 I knew I wanted to be a musician and I have stuck at it since,” she said.
Windley’s songs are based on her observations of the world and society.
“Obviously being pretty young with not much life experience, I write about what I think and what I see.”
She said her song Neighbours in the Morningreceived the most positive feedback from the triple j site and was about different stereotypes of people.
With COVID-19 heavily impacting the music industry, Windley said the future was unknown.
“I have a few gigs booked next year so I am hoping they go ahead,” she said.
“This is definitely what I want to do in the future.”
For the past two months, triple j Unearthed have been searching for the country’s most talented high schoolers after receiving a record breaking 1700 entries.
“In this year’s cohort we’ve seen the continued rise of self-reliant solo artists and the influence of modern giants such as Rex Orange County, Billie Eilish, as well as alumni like The Kid LAROI and Hockey Dad,” triple j Unearthed Music Director Dave Ruby Howe said.
“But the thing that’s struck me most this year is the creativity and resolve of young Australian musicians.
“They’ve braved the many challenges of 2020 – a health crisis, remote learning and being isolated from friends – and turned to making great music as a way through it. While 2020 has been tough for everyone, this year’s Unearthed High class have shown that there’s plenty to look forward to.”