Asta from Rosny College in Hobart beat a field of over 850 high school acts to be crowned our Unearthed High winner of 2012. We've just flown her to Sydney to record her new single 'Escape' and you can stream/download it here on Unearthed. Congrats Asta!

Tell us about your music - how did you develop your sound?

I have been singing since I was a little lady down south in a small country town Cygnet on Dad’s veranda and haven’t stopped since. I was acoustic up until a few months ago when I met a guy in sound production who recorded “My Hearts on Fire”. He had more of a background in electronic music so it came out sounding quite different. Refreshing to my ears. My voice developed a further depth and maturity through taking up vocal training at Rosny College. All I had to do was strip back old habits and let it flow naturally.



How would you describe your live show?

At the moment it’s a mix of my heart-felt acoustics and some up beat folky-pop. I find the blend a reflection of my personality and I love the diversity I can give.



You’re the winner of Unearthed High 2012. What are you hoping to gain from this opportunity?

I am hoping I can follow my dreams of becoming a strong and nationally recognized Australian artist who people will find entertaining, real and giving.



What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

There’s been many people that have supported me and believed in me but it was this one occasion recently that made me truly inspired. It was a cab driver who knew nothing about me but over heard my phone conversation crying over confusion as to where my career was going. He said “look love, you need to go for it. You gotta be in it 100%. I have this feeling you gotta do it”. After listening to him ramble on some more, I stepped out of that cab realizing I had to put both feet into this, I had no idea who this guy was, but the way he spoke to me and believed in me was truly riveting.



Tell us about the bands, producers and people in the Tasmanian music community that inspire you.

My music teacher Westy (Brian West) has been very inspiring to me because he doesn’t praise the good, but makes you want to try harder and come into his office the next day with something even better. Usually people will come up to me at the local markets where I sell organic vegetables and by the end of scanning their last item of vegetables, they’re in tears about what I’m doing with my music. It’s so Inspiring to have the community so moved and backing you all the way.



What else is coming up in 2012?

I’m playing at the Power House in Brisbane along with a few other of the Unearthed High finalists and doing a headline gig in October. Mum’s not happy with the pub scenes and wants a classy all age venue.. She still has a lot to learn. SOUNDSCAPE will be my first festival and that will be November the 16th in Hobart. We have got so many potential gigs on the white board at home. It’s going to be a busy summer. I hope to cover every state and reach out to all those wonderful people who have been throwing love my way.



Australian music is...

...loved, supported, thrown sky high, fresh, real, moving, passionate, unique, triple j!!!