Mariae Cassandra Takes Out Unearthed High 2024
The 16-year-old singer-songwriter cites beabadoobee and Clairo as her inspirations.
Image via triple j
Mariae Cassandra has been crowned this year’s triple j Unearthed High winner. The homeschooled 16-year-old who previously attended Ellenbrook Secondary College won the competition with her song, ‘Million Billion Trillion’.
The charming indie pop ditty is only the second song Cassandra has uploaded to the triple j Unearthed website and follows on from her first single, ‘Cassie’, which has already accumulated over 100,000 streams.
The Perth-based artist beat out 1,127 other young musos – including finalists Chris Vincent, That Gurl Bella, Zafty and Frank and Louis – to claim the title of Unearthed High 2024 winner. triple j Drive hosts Abby & Tyrone called Cassandra live on air (September 2) to reveal the news she had taken out the competition.
Speaking to the hosts about ‘Million Billion Trillion’, Cassandra said: “This song is about the fear of losing my closest friend because you know how much we hate friendship breakups,”
You can watch Cassandra’s self-made music video for ‘Million Billion Trillion’ below.
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‘Million Billion Trillion’ has received much love from both triple j staffers and fans, with triple j Assistant Music Director having this to say about the tune: “It's just her second offering and it already feels like an instant classic. On first listen it felt immediately familiar, that chorus is such a winner and I can just feel this one being the anthem of the year to so many of your fans. SO stoked to see you working with Calvin Bennett on this one too - what a dream team!”
Zan Rowe, Double J host, ABC’s National Music Correspondent, host of Take 5 and host of Bang On Podcast adds: “Your songwriting chops are so strong Mariae; this is an excellently structured pop ballad where you pack a lot into 2 1/2 minutes. Love the laidback vocal style too.”
triple j Unearthed Music Director Dave Ruby Howe is also a big fan of what Cassandra is doing, saying: “It's the sign of a special new talent when we've found the melody of an Unearthed High entry floating into our heads nearly every day for the last two months.
“Mariae Cassandra's songwriting has such a rare sweet and sticky quality that the Unearthed team has been hitting repeat on 'Million Billion Trillion' for roughly that same amount of plays! As we usher in a new Unearthed High champion with Mariae, we're in awe of an artist whose hooks and lyrics are gonna inspire fandom and obsession in equal amounts.”
Not only does Cassandra get recognition from Australia’s top youth radio station, but the rising star gets the chance to tackle a songwriting session with one of these four awesome Aussie acts: Cosmo’s Midnight, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Peach PRC or Kobie Dee.
For more information on Mariae Cassandra head to the triple j Unearthed website.
