From her bedroom floor to nationwide radio: teen wins Triple J's Unearthed award

The Year 11 student at Moree Secondary College in Moree, NSW, won the national award with her song, Myself.

"I wrote the song sitting on the floor of my bedroom," Kyla, 16, said.

"It's about being a teenager and not knowing what you want to do, whatever happens, happens."

Unearthed winners for 2025 were announced on Thursday, August 14.

"Unearthed is a great opportunity for high school students to get their music out there and for young people to be noticed," Kyla said.

Kyla was one of five winners from 1300 uploads, fending off competition from as far afield as Perth and Sydney.

As part of her prize, Kyla will have her next track mixed and mastered by industry heavyweight Konstantin Kersting.

Born and bred in Moree, Kyla was born for the stage.

Parents Donna Faulkner and Shane Roberts, also raised in Moree, played in a band and were always spinning the discs at home.

While the household often resonated to the beat of AC/DC, Kyla's songs are more country, having been influenced by the sounds of alternative rap and pop music.

"Dad bought me my first guitar when I was 13, and he upgraded it to a Nashville one this year," Kyla said.

Kyla's older sister, Rochelle, and younger brother, Jay, are also musical.

"My sister is an amazing guitarist, she's really talented and studying at university now," Kyla said.

Teachers and students have been supportive of Kyla's musical talent.

Principal Bethany Kelly has worked at the college since 2011.

"We have not had anybody of Kyla's talent in my time, nothing of this calibre, so it's very exciting," Ms Kelly said.

Kyla also noted the support of her teachers, especially music teacher Leigh Carroll.

It was Mr Carroll who backed Kyla into entering this year's Schools Spectacular, held in November at Sydney's Olympic Park.

Mauboy's song, Sea of Flags, was performed at the annual cultural event in 2014, and Kyla hopes to walk in Mauboy's footsteps.

"I was a bit nervous at first, entering into the School Spec, it's such a big organisation with great musicians," Kyla said.

She is already tuning her guitar and warming up her vocal chords for the event.

As Ms Kelly said, "If Kyla can handle all this at 16, I can't imagine what she'll be like in 10 years' time, watch this space."