Nicholas Littlemore Doubles Winners In Triple J's Unearthed Songwriting Competition

triple j Unearthed’s first ever ‘Collab Comp’, offered emerging Australian artists the opportunity to write music  with a true icon – musician, producer, singer-songwriter Nick Littlemore. He's fronts PNAU, co-chairs Empire Of The Sun, is frequent Elton John collaborator and as worked alongside global names such as Ariana Grande, Robbie WIlliams, Icona Pop, Zedd, Ellie Goulding, Elderbrook, Vera Blue and Groove Armada. Littlemore is not short of talent, or songwriting credits.

Today, in an interview with triple j’s Breakfast team Bryce & Ebony, Nick announced on air he’d chosen not five, but ten winners he'd like to work with from the Unearthed competition entry pool. As you’d expect, these winners are a melding pot of unique, dynamic, creative acts he’s eager to work with while here in Australia. A genuine testament to the talented artists  coming through Unearthed, as well as the generous nature of Littlemore himself. He explains, "there is an overwhelming amount of talent and that’s why I feel it’s right to choose 10 winners”

The 'Collab Comp' competition was announced in January 2021, with entries made by submitting a song to triple j’s Unearthed platform during a 6 week window. Winners were announced by Nick and triple j on 19th February 2021. The Unearthed website and digital radio station is an undisputed hotbed of unsigned and emerging Australian recording artists starting the careers of most notably Flume, Courtney Barnett, RUFUS Du Sol, Vance Joy & Tkay Maidza. Littlemore states, “it’s really been a dream of mine for a while to collab like this with Unearthed" 

without further ado, here are the 2021 Collab Comp winners (in alphabetical order): 

Ali Adriano

Nicholas Littlemore (NL): This one is giving me a lot of sun electric and bicep energy, love that she’s producing and singing, I feel we will connect deeply on emotive textures and beats.

BOYSCLUB

NL: These girls sound like a lot of fun, I’m well keen to make some dirty rock n roll. Liking their attitude and the humor in their clips. very interested to see how we can reinvent the sound of rock for 2021.

Butter Bath

NL: Conjures up my beloved Nightmares on Wax, that proper anorak crate digging energy, great production and a beautiful voice.

Djanaba

NL: She reminds me of the record I made with Celia Pavey (Vera Blue), but she’s got this attitude to bring along with that angelic voice. Very excited to see where our experiments will land.

Komang

INL:  found her a while back when she put out ‘Dewi’, she exists in her own space, both the quiet stillness and the feeling of 90’s Hip Hop / R n B.

Laurence Neu

NL: I’ve found myself singing Laurence’s new record “Shark” since I came across it. Loving his visual work as well, being a dancer I feel the connection will be powerful, a performative balletic piece filled with emotion.

Matahara

NL: Love this! Hearing her works makes me giddy with the prospect of making music together. She clearly has a handle over music but still allows for the truer voice to shine through, not letting the sound take over. Great emotion.

Ninajirachi

NL: Ninajirachi is hipper than me, she’s making beats I’ve not encountered yet! Surely destined for big crowds playing her slamming records, feels like we will make some danger here.

Obscura Hail

NL: I’ve been aware of their music for a little while, I really want to explore what is possible with these three, seems like we could do anything from Kings of Convenience to Tindersticks, French band Air and my favorite - Psychic TV.

THE BOY OF MANY COLORS 

NL: It takes me to places I know I want to go, I love that he is a multi disciplinary artist, I feel we can make something that will make you move and cut to the heart.

We look forward to hearing what’s to come from these exciting sessions. For those who didn’t win, not to worry. Littlemore eagerly said ‘I’d like to do this every year’. Stay tuned!