Song could unearth Sweethearts

Andrew Mathieson
A GEELONG high school band that is winning rapturous applause from radio listeners is this week on the cuff of being crowned Australia’s most talented musical teens.
The latest incarnation of Sweethearts, first created out of Matthew Flinders Girls High School more than two decades ago, is leading hundreds of young student acts in Triple J’s Unearthed High competition.
And the latest batch of Geelong schoolgirls could also capture the more prestigious Unearthed title for unsigned bands of any age judging by its growing number of online votes.
Australian chart toppers Silverchair, Missy Higgins and Killing Heidi have rocked to fame over the years from the national radio broadcaster’s Unearthed project that digs up hidden musical talent.
Sweethearts’ musical director Ross Lipson was rapt the hit song Secret has struck a chord with a legion of fans.
“We released it on Unearthed and we’re just amazed how quickly it’s jumped up there,” he said.
“It has got good air time on Triple J.”
The song has climbed to number one on the Unearthed High list and had more than 5000 plays off the competition website in less than three weeks.
Mr Lipson said the new-soul performers that fuses Motown sounds had little expectations.
“I don’t really think they thought much about it before,” he said.
“But we’re not really that concerned about winning.
“It’s all about getting the exposure for the song.”
Sweethearts are jetting off to Europe this winter to play a series of festivals for eight weeks.
Secret’s songwriter Phoebe Stretton-Smith paid tribute to the band members in bringing her words alive.
“To have your own composition so well received by the listeners is amazing,” she said.
“I just love the arrangement that the girls create around my song.”
The group consists of 27 girls but only half of them perform on their latest title track.
Musicians from several schools have joined the bulk of the band’s Matthew Flinders High students on its eighth album.