THE first song Castlemaine teenager Kian ever wrote has just been nominated for an Aria Award.
Waiting was announced as a finalist for the Aria Song of the Year Award, alongside tracks from artists such as Amy Shark, Birds of Tokyo, Guy Sebastian and 5 Seconds of Summer.
Now 17, Kian penned the track aged just 14. Released in 2018, the single has clocked up millions of streams.
It earned a place in the top 20 of Triple J's 2019 Hottest 100.
The teenager was named Triple J Unearthed High winner in 2018.
Kian said it was hard to tell exactly why the track resonated so deeply with the Australian public.
"I feel like people connect with the song. I wasn't really trying to be anything or trying too hard, I was just making music," he said.
"I think that's what people get from that song, they get a sense of honesty."
Kian found out the news on Thursday morning. He had heard rumours, but the nomination came as a surprise.
"I'm feeling awesome... It's definitely shocking, what's happened in the past year," he said.
"Obviously I wasn't expecting anything at the very beginning, and it's been trolling, rolling and building.
"It's got to be one of the most prestigious music awards for Australian artists. It's incredible I've been nominated."
But Kian was too busy to celebrate, he had to get ready for a gig in Melbourne. The teen is writing and performing full time now.
Waiting worked out better than he could have ever anticipated, he said.
"I was never trying to make a hit song. I was making music just for fun, just to get my feelings out. Just a way of expression," he said.
"Most artists the first song they ever write, they just throw it in the bin. I'm just very lucky, I guess, I had the creative ability to write music.
"It's just crazy how far doing what you love can take you."
Vote in the 2019 Aria Awards at: ariaawards.com.au/vote
