Rising music talent unearthed

Former Ellenbrook Secondary College student, Mariae Cassandra, has catapulted onto the national stage after winning Triple J’s 2024 Unearthed High competition.

Mariae attended Ellenbrook Secondary College before leaving to focus on her music, while home-schooling. 

Renowned for discovering and nurturing young musical talent across Australia, Triple J Unearthed has become a platform for aspiring young artists to showcase their skills on a major stage. The Unearthed High competition is open to high school students nationwide and encourages young musicians to upload their original songs where they are judged by a panel of experts.  

Mariae submitted two songs, ‘Cassie’ and the track that won her the competition, ‘Million Billion Trillion’, which is about a friend.

"I was just so scared of losing her that I had to write her a song," she told Triple J. 

Listen to Mariae’s submissions through her Unearthed High profile on the Triple J website.

The contest also featured ten acts from Fremantle College. The acts span a variety of musical genres, from indie and pop to metal and electronic music, and highlights the diverse talent nurtured within the school’s specialist contemporary music program. 

“We are really proud of the standard of songwriting and production all of these students achieved for their latest releases and are very excited to see them develop,” said Mike Gowland, head of Music at Fremantle College. 

“Whilst ten artists submitting 14 songs seems like a significant amount for one high school, it is just the tip of the iceberg of talent we are nurturing in the Fremantle College Specialist Contemporary Music Program!  

“The future of new West Australian music is looking very healthy.” 

And check out the 10 acts from Fremantle College: 

• Jude Quirk (Year 9) – Diamond & Sapphire 
• Finley James (Year 9) – This Game 
• Chelsea Ireland (Year 11) – Somebody & I’ll be Honest 
• Kiahna Magor (Year 11) – Vienna’s Goodbye 
• Soothe (Year 11) – Rain & Blurry 
• Corpse Maggot Crew (Kadek Falconer - Year 11) – Dumb It Down 
• Silverlake (Year 11 band) – All of My Questions 
• Jack Lundy (Year 12) – The Fire & Gone 
• Xalur (Year 12) – Scared to Speak 
• Hee Haw Boys – I Ain’t Paid Enough to Care 

All images supplied by Triple J.