The Veronicas’ reality docu-series UNDSCVRD crowns winner

Perth singer-songwriter Taigh Wade has been crowned the debut winner of Samsung and The Veronicas’ TikTok-based music competition, UNDSCVRD.

Hand-picked by Jess and Lisa, alongside a panel of music and media industry experts, Taigh takes the competition out after four weeks spent alongside four other contestants, who each worked with The Veronicas and renowned music producer James Angus to create a professionally produced single with accompanying music video.

Culminating in a live performance showcase streamed on TikTok, UNDSCVRD’s finale saw each contestant perform their single in front of a live audience including The Veronicas, and industry professionals from some of the country’s most respected music and media outlets.

Taigh won the showcase competition with his song ‘Lost and Found’.

The Veronicas told TIO that Taigh Wade was a clear winner at the showcase event.

“Taigh had undeniable charisma and his head in the game from day one,” the pair said. “And his song was hooky as hell.”

The Veronicas

Unique to the competition, Taigh and each of the UNDSCVRD contestants will maintain full ownership of their music masters and content produced.

The Veronicas launched UNDSCVRD to give artists an opportunity to develop and bring their artistic vision to life in front of an audience, while retaining the rights to their work.

“Samsung Galaxy using TikTok created the perfect launching platform for any independent artist,” the pair told TIO. “From supporting their song writing, creative vision from the sonic elements in the studio to bringing their music video visuals to life… having them in complete control of their creative vision and how they are introduced as artists into the world!

“We hope they walk away with a greater understanding of themselves as artists, the confidence to move forward with an authentic connection with a captive audience.”

As the winner of UNDSCVRD, Taigh will head to the US for money-can’t-buy experiences to grow his music career, including writing and recording sessions with Aussie production duo Twice As Nice (Rihanna, Post Malone, Katy Perry, TY Dolla $ign, and Ariana Grande). The pair will work collaboratively with Taigh in LA to produce his very own five-track EP.

Taigh will also head to Nashville to perform in front of live audiences at a series of gigs and film music videos to accompany his forthcoming EP.

Taigh has since joined artist management and label services firm Call & Response for the marketing and promotion of his EP. He will also open for The Veronicas at their sold-out Melbourne concerts in January, 2022.

Taigh said, “It was an unbelievable and incredibly empowering experience to work with so many talented people during UNDSCVRD. I’ve appreciated all the support and guidance from everyone that I’ve worked with – The Veronicas, James Angus, Samsung Galaxy, and rest of the cast – to help realise my vision.”

Since launching in October, UNDSCVRD has amassed 22 million views and 450,000 likes on TikTok. The contestants’ group song, ‘Something More’ garnered over a million views in just 24-hours.

Jason Ridge, Group Marketing Manager, Samsung Australia, said, “We are incredibly proud of Taigh – he embodies everything we were hoping to uncover in the process of creating UNDSCVRD. A self-taught musician and lyricist, Taigh totally backed himself as he took a huge leap of faith into this competition.

“Couple that determination and ambition with the spirit of Samsung Galaxy to help people expand their world and you’ve got the country’s next big chart-topper. We can’t wait to see what he does with this opportunity.”

Following on from their MTV reality series, their appearance on Celebrity Apprentice, and now UNDSCVRD, The Veronicas also told TIO they plan to continue their involvement in film projects.

“We love artists, songwriting and development. We are absolutely looking to continue in that field.”

For more information on UNDSCVRD or to rewatch the series, visit the official @UNDSCVRD_artist page on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.