Former Cairns busker Greta Stanley has swapped singing for small change for domination of the national airwaves, after being named this morning as Triple J’s Unearthed Feature Artist of the Week.
The accolade means the 22-year-old singer/songwriter will receive high rotation on the national youth broadcaster, online promotion and priceless national exposure.
The honour comes just days before Ms Stanley hits the stage at Townsville’s Groovin the Moo as Unearthed’s feature artist for the festival.
The Unearthed project, which digs up otherwise unknown musical talent in Australia, has been the launchpad for dozens of successful artists, including Courtney Barnett, RÜFÜS and Flume. Before moving to its current online formula, Unearthed was responsible for the discoveries of lyrical luminaries including Grinspoon, Killing Heidi and Missy Higgins.
Ms Stanley said she was “pretty dang lucky” to be given the influential spot as Artist of the Week.
“Honestly it’s a pretty nice feeling,” she told TropicNow.
“I still think they’re pulling my leg. I am absolutely stoked and so grateful to the team I’ve got behind me that have helped me so far in my career.”
She said she was “equally excited as I am terrified” about playing Groovin the Moo, which attracts thousands of music-lovers to Townsville each year. Headliners for 2017 include UK hitmakers The Darkness and the USA’s Against Me.
“GTM will top the mark. It’s something I’ll definitely remember for the rest of forever.”
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT GRETA
Ms Stanley, originally from Mena Creek, kicked off her career with busking stints at Rusty’s and on the Esplanade before releasing her debut EP Bedroom City two years ago with local indie label Junkie Uncle Records.
With a signature style described as “very pretty and a little bit gritty”, Ms Stanley has since played alongside big Aussie acts including Boy and Bear, The Rubens, Kingswood and Emma Louise.
Despite a Qld Music Award nomination, the addition of her tracks to Spotify Discover Weekly playlists, a successful East Coast tour and eight months gigging in Melbourne, Ms Stanley isn’t resting on her laurels: she’s currently back in Cairns and hard at work on her debut LP.
“It’s coming along nicely,” she said.
“I have a great producer and I feel we work really well together, we’ve been doing some demos and preproduction stuff.
“It doesn’t have a name yet, but I’ve got a couple in mind. It’s kind of one of those things I’ll just decide when everything’s done – I feel like I’ll just know.”
Ms Stanley said she appreciated “the scene” in bigger cities, but was thrilled to be back in Cairns.
“The people I’ve met up here have definitely been inspiring and welcoming, I’ve made some of the greatest friends in Cairns through studying TAFE and being introduced to the music scene,” she said.
“It’s definitely a great environment for emerging artists there’s a lot of local support.”
Greta Stanley will play at Groovin the Moo in Townsville on April 30. She’ll be back in Cairns for a stint in the spotlight at ECOFiesta on May 28. Follow Greta’s gigs and glories here, or have a peek at her Unearthed Featured Artist's page here.