Samsung Electronics Australia has crowned vocal powerhouse Ivana Ilic as the winner of its TikTok-based music reality show, UNDSCVRD. The second season wrapped last night, with the final episode now available on the official @UNDSCVRD_artist page on TikTok.

Throughout the four-week, documentary-style showcase, five budding artists worked together with industry heavyweights like global R&B artist Tkay Maidza, platinum producer James Angus, and multi-platinum songwriter Brooke Toia, to develop their music and brand identity, culminating in the creation of a personal music track and accompanying music video filmed completely on Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra.

In the electrifying season finale, the aspiring professional musicians performed their hit singles in front of a live audience and a panel of music and media industry experts.

The UNDSCVRD winner selection process factored in all elements from the one-month competition, including song writing capability, professionalism in the studio, working with others, musicality and performance style. In the end, Ivana wowed the judges with her powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and captivating stage presence.

“I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity to learn from such passionate and talented people within the industry and to be able to share my music with so many people,” Ivana Ilic said of her experience.

“With Samsung’s support and guidance from all the mentors, I feel like I’m coming out of UNDSCVRD as a singer-songwriter ready for the next chapter of my journey.”

As the winner of UNDSCVRD Season 2, the 19-year-old Melbourne native will receive the opportunity to create a 5 track EP featuring “Better Love”, her emotive debut single and music video, along with four new singles, for a total prize value of $100K. Ilic will retain full control of the resulting EP and its future success, giving her the means to kickstart her music career. She will also be supported by artist management and label services from Call & Response in the form of distribution, artist management and promotion of her EP.

Each of the UNDSCVRD contestants will maintain full ownership of their music masters and production content, serving as a launchpad to jumpstart their professional music careers.

In the next week, further content will be dropping on the official @UNDSCVRD_artist page on TikTok, showcasing the contestants’ journeys on the show as well as a cut down of their music videos. Each artist’s single will be available to stream on music streaming platforms from Friday 21 April.

Since its launch in October 2021, the UNDSCVRD series has cultivated a loyal fan base, amassing more than 64 million views and 1.3 million likes, shares and comments.

“We’re humbled by the impact of our UNDSCVRD series on local musicians – it truly demonstrates the good that can come out of merging creativity and technology, helping young Australians transform their sound and providing a platform to amplify their voice,” said Samsung Australia’s Garry McGregor, Vice President, Mobile Experience Division.

“Samsung is all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, in our technology and ourselves. We can’t wait to see what else Ivana does with this unique opportunity.”

UNDSCVRD was developed in partnership with Australian production and talent agency, Amplify for Samsung.

For more information on UNDSCVRD or to rewatch the series, visit the official @UNDSCVRD_artist page on TikTok. To follow Ivana’s musical journey, visit @IvanaIlic82.  

NOTES TO EDITOR:

The UNDSCVRD Season 2 contestants and their soon to be released singles are as follows:

• Ivana Ilic – Better Love
• HAZE – Looking for Love
• Vanessa – Hands
• Dylan Jett – Just Go
• Kalopsia – Glimmer

Samsung Electronics Australia has today announced that UNDSCVRD, the nation-wide search for the country’s next big music artist, will premiere on TikTok at 6PM tonight, releasing a docu-style reality series over the next four weeks.

The competition, presented by Samsung Galaxy, has brought together a lineup of five aspiring artists from across Australia, hand-picked by ARIA award-winning Australian pop-rock icons, The Veronicas.

Each episode will follow contestants as they work their way through the UNDSCVRD competition journey, collaborating with The Veronicas and renowned music producer, James Angus to produce an original single and accompanying music video that captures each of their unique styles.

From today daily episodes will be published to the official UNDSCVRD TikTok page (@UNDSCVRD_artist) hosted by social media personality and DJ, Ben Gerrans, along with supporting content in the form of Galaxy Flip Diaries and behind-the-scenes episodes that will give fans a glimpse into the personal lives of each of the contestants as they go through the ups and downs of the competition.

The series will document the journey of self-taught muso Taigh Wade from Perth (WA), singer/songwriter Jade Stegbauer from Sydney (NSW), indie-pop singer/songwriter Jordyn Richards from Sydney (NSW), rapper and producer Felix ‘Checko’ Pacheco from Melbourne (VIC) and R&B/pop singer/songwriter Rhian Aoun from Melbourne (VIC).

The series will culminate in an exciting live-concert finale, streamed to TikTok, with each contestant performing their single in front of The Veronicas and a panel of industry professionals, where the overall winner will also be announced.

Unlike other formats, no UNDSCVRD contestants will go home empty handed, each will maintain full ownership of their music masters and content produced. The winner will go on to develop a five-track EP produced by James Angus as well as marketing and promotion support. The winner will also open for The Veronicas at their sold-out Melbourne concerts in January.

The series, presented by Samsung Galaxy, brings together five musical talent from across the country who were hand-picked by ARIA award-winning Australian pop-rock icons, The Veronicas.

UNDSCVRD will document the journey of these five aspiring musicians, recruited via TikTok, as they collaborate with The Veronicas and renowned music producer, James Angus, to produce their own original single and accompanying music video. The four-week vertical video series will be broadcast exclusively on the @UNDSCVRD_artist TikTok channel with the first episode going live in October.

The five finalists include:

• Taigh Wade, Mosman Park, WA, Singer/Songwriter (20) – originally from South Africa, Taigh had aspirations of becoming a professional rugby player, but an accident left him injured and unable to continue playing. During his recovery, Taigh picked up the guitar and taught himself how to play while recovering from his injury. With music as a new passion, Taigh began at the prestigious WAAPA, but soon realised he wanted to forge his path and style. Taigh has recently taught himself how to play the piano via YouTube tutorials and while he can’t technically read sheet music, the melody is certainly in his DNA as his dad is a singer in a band.
• Jade Stegbauer, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, NSW, Indie singer/Songwriter (18) – Discovering her love for music when living in the country, Jade is no newcomer to musical finesse. Jade is a multi-instrumentalist, expressing her music through guitar, keys, electric guitar, and saxophone.
• Jordyn Richards, Ryde, Sydney, NSW, Indie-pop singer/Songwriter (18) – With a strong passion for music throughout her entire life, from growing up and learning to play music, having MTV always on in the home, and playing gigs at local pubs from 11 years old, Jordyn has made music her element. Following high school, Jordyn committed to her passion and threw herself in the deep end by pursuing music full time.
• Felix ‘Checko’ Pacheco, Point Cook, Melbourne, VIC, Singer/Songwriter (17) – Relatively new to the music, practising the art over the past 2 years, Checko’s undeniable talent has helped him to become a notable up and coming rapper who writes and produces all of his original music. He is self-taught in audio engineering, helping close friends with their music production and creates music in the Melodic Rap genre.
• Rhian Aoun, Patterson Lakes, Victoria Pop singer/Songwriter (17) – Passionate about music her entire life, singing throughout school and performing in all of her school productions, Rhian captures the essence of a Soprano with her incredible vocal range. Rhian says her biggest influences come from global superstars Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande, inspired by their ability to blend electronic production elements with memorable vocals.

Following the announcement of the UNDSCVRD competition earlier this year in July, the five finalists will now be moving into the next phase of the competition. Over the next four weeks, the contestants will work directly with industry professionals and be mentored by The Veronicas to produce their single and accompanying music video.

Each contestant’s journey will be documented and presented on TikTok with the winner of UNDSCVRD selected by The Veronicas along with input from industry colleagues’ and consideration given to fan engagement on TikTok. Unique to UNDSCVRD, the five finalists will maintain complete ownership of their music masters and associated content and will be able to release their music as part of the UNDSCVRD series.

To keep up with UNDSCVRD, you can find more information at @UNDSCVRD_artist on TikTok.

Samsung Electronics Australia has today announced UNDSCVRD, a nation-wide search for the country’s next up-and-coming recording artist that will also play out as a docu-style reality series on TikTok.

Presented by Samsung Galaxy[1], Australia’s premiere mobile brand, UNDSCVRD will feature Aussie pop-rock icons, The Veronicas, as mentors who will nurture and foster the contestants during their UNDSCVRD journey. Social media personality and DJ, Ben Gerrans, will host the series.

UNDSCVRD will document the journey of five aspiring musicians, recruited via TikTok, as they collaborate with industry leaders to produce their own original single and accompanying music video. The four-week vertical video series will be broadcast exclusively on the @UNDSCVRD_artist TikTok channel with the first episode going live on Thursday September 9, 2021.

What’s unique about this competition, thanks to Samsung Galaxy’s support, the five UNDSCVRD contestants will maintain complete ownership of their music masters and associated content. Each artist will have the opportunity to release their original single alongside a music video produced as part of the UNDSCVRD series with the winner going on to record a five-track EP.

UNDSCVRD comes as part of Samsung Galaxy’s strategy to foster the next generation of Australian makers and creators, to ultimately defy barriers and achieve what they thought was impossible, whilst also engaging younger audiences.

Garry McGregor, Vice President of Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia, said, “Samsung Galaxy stands for innovation, exploration, freedom and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. This is what drives us and it’s what our technology enables for our customers.

“We are extremely excited to be launching UNDSCVRD with The Veronicas as mentors and to play a role in inspiring and nurturing the next Generation of Aussie recording artists. We believe this series is going to surface up incredible talent that is pushing boundaries of what is possible, just like Samsung Galaxy.

“Most importantly, through UNDSCVRD we are giving the next generation of independent Aussie artists the chance to super-charge their music careers. We couldn’t be prouder of creating this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them.”

The Veronicas will work one-on-one with each contestant, coaching and guiding them to create and realise their music ambitions, backed-up by award-winning Platinum accredited producer, James Angus. Having worked with the Veronicas on their latest single, Life of the Party, Angus will apply his deep experience and knowledge in artist development and production to translate each young artist’s musical visions into a single.

Speaking on their involvement in the show, Jess and Lisa of The Veronicas said, “As songwriters and artists in the thick of the music industry for over 16 years, it’s an honour to work with and guide rising, independent artists who share a love for music and creativity.

“Samsung’s support for independent artists with UNDSCVRD is a huge opportunity for up- and-coming musicians to forge their own path, and we can’t wait to see what happens.”

The winner of UNDSCVRD will be selected by The Veronicas along with input from other industry professionals throughout the program, as well as consideration given to the contestants’ fan engagement on TikTok.

The program will culminate in a live concert event in Sydney in October this year, which will be live streamed via TikTok. At the event, all UNDSCVRD contestants will perform their single and the winner will have a three-track set to open for The Veronicas. The winner will also go on to release a five-track EP produced by James Angus and supported by artist management and label services specialists Call & Response in the form of marketing and promotion, including:

●       Distribution

●       Artist Development

●       Strategic Release Planning

●       Social Media Management

●       Radio, DSP, Press and TV servicing

●       Asset creation including pack shots and digital release assets

●       On-going project management

From today, budding musicians can enter UNDSCVRD by tagging @UNDSCVRD_artist and #UNDSCVRD in a video on TikTok. Entries may include newly uploaded content or by simply adding these tags to existing videos of a performance.

TikTok users can also go into the running to be featured on the program by participating in a TikTok Duet with one of the acoustic melody videos by The Veronicas, which will also feature on the UNDSCVRD TikTok page.

More information on how to enter UNDSCVRD and Terms & Conditions, can be found at @UNDSCVRD_artist on TikTok.

UNDSCVRD has been developed in partnership with Australian production and talent agency, Amplify for Samsung Galaxy.

[1] The Samsung Galaxy brand relates to the company’s range of flagship mobile devices which spans smartphones, tablets, PCs, wearables and audio products.