Triple J Unearthed

Talent competition says her 2001 Unearthed success led to her initial record deal and subsequent success. In July 1995, Triple J launched its regional Unearthed competition, whereby emerging musicians from across Australia could send in their demos to be professionally recorded and played on the station. In its inaugural year, 1,000 artists entered; Lismore rock band Grinspoon won the competition. In its following years, the Unearthed demo program helped discover several acclaimed artists, including Killing Heidi (1996) and Missy Higgins (2001). Motivated to cut out the need for publicists and A&R, she was inspired by the similar New Music Canada initiative by CBC Radio 3. In 2021, the website received its first major redesign since its initial launch. On 18 December 2024, the New South Wales Police Force alleged that two men used the Unearthed website– particularly its profile customisation features, like writing a user bio– to recruit a Goulburn Correctional Centre inmate to carry out a stabbing on gang leader Bassam Hamzy in February that year. The ABC, which owns Triple J, did not comment on the matter. Digital radio station Seeing the success of the website, Unearthed executive producer Stephanie Carrick and ABC music director Chris Scaddan ideated creating a dedicated digital radio station to accompany the online platform. It was launched on 5 October 2011, on digital radio in the five major Australian capital cities, and via the Unearthed website. == Initiatives ==

Unearthed High won Unearthed High in 2016 and has since released two ARIA-charting albums. The Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative was founded in 2016, rewarding an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander musician with mentoring and airplay on Triple J. Celebrating 15 years of the competition in 2023, Triple J held a one-night, all-ages concert during Vivid Sydney featuring notable past entrants, including Lastlings and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. The network also holds an annual competition open to Indigenous Australian artists, with the winner selected to play at the National Indigenous Music Awards. Past winners have included Thelma Plum, Baker Boy, Alice Skye and Dallas Woods. Unearthed has also run a number of First Nations specific competitions that has seen artists added to festivals such as First & Forever and Treaty Day Out. Concert lineup additions Triple J often holds competitions that see a winning Unearthed artist join a major music festival's lineup. In the past, winners have performed at Splendour in the Grass, Groovin' the Moo, Falls Festival, Big Day Out, Laneway Festival and A More Perfect Union. The station have also held contests to support international artists like Denzel Curry on their Australian tours. Artist collaboration competitions Unearthed occasionally run competitions where winning artists can work with renowned producers or songwriters. In 2023, Flume released a half-finished track, and Unearthed artists were encouraged to share how they would complete the song to win – the final track, produced by Blacktown rapper Isaac Puerile, received national airplay. The same year, Unearthed artists were given the opportunity to work with award-winning songwriter Sarah Aarons. In the past, these competitions have also seen entrants remix songs from Lorde and DMA's, as well as creating "DIY supergroups" out of samples from notable artists provided by Triple J. COVID-19 grants In June 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Unearthed handed out 16 grants to artists on the platform valued at $7,000 each, to record new music, produce music videos and promote their work. == Impact ==

Writing for online magazine Tone Deaf in 2022, Holley Gawne wrote Triple J Unearthed has been "so successful ... in boosting the profiles of some of the industry’s biggest and brightest." Triple J music director Dave Ruby Howe said the Unearthed online platform was a revolutionary idea, especially as it pre-dated other music platforms like SoundCloud and Bandcamp. debuted with a single on Unearthed titled "Possum" in 2011. Her hit 2019 single "Dance Monkey" has since become the most streamed Australian song, and the most streamed song by a female musician on Spotify, recording over three billion streams. 100 Best Unearthed Discoveries In November 2016, to celebrate 10 years of the Triple J Unearthed website, the broadcaster counted down the 100 Best Unearthed Discoveries, featuring artists who have found the most success after uploading their music to the platform. In the week following the Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs in July 2025, the Unearthed station revisited this list. == Notes ==