Rebecca Hatch’s nomination for ‘The Next Big Thing’ at the 2017 SMAC Awards is looking pretty prescient right now – the emerging soul singer spent the last year filling her resume with awards and ‘firsts’ – all at the age of 17. She took a minute out of her hectic schedule of NAIDOC week performances to talk with Eddy Diamond on Mornings.

The 2017 Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative award-winner made history as the first person to sing in a native Indigenous language (Durrawul) on live television, and she stays connected to community as a crusader for youth engagement.

“There’s a lot of really talented people in our youth and I think it’s important to give them a voice and a chance to showcase themselves”

Her music is infused with a deep sense of her personal history, and Hatch often cites her Aboriginal and Pacific Islander heritage, and upbringing in Campbelltown, as influences on her music-making. Influential too, is the support system of young creatives, like producers and photographers, that she has been able to collaborate and grow with.

It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that Hatch is only 17, as she discusses some of the funny obstacles that arise from balancing a muso’s lifestyle with an HSC-student’s schedule (can you rock a bad-ass show with the ‘rents backstage?)

“There’s all these people in their crazy costumes and then there’s my mum – just chilling with her handbag”

Listen in to the whole lot up top.

WHAT: NAIDOC Week Block Party
WHO: Rebecca Hatch, Nooky, Kobie Dee, Mi-kaisha, Dobby, Lilla Lowanna, Kyra Banton, Sonboy, Muggera dancers & more
WHERE: The Landsdowne
WHEN: Sunday 15th July, from 5:00PM
HOW MUCH: Free!