When Tia Gostelow visited Times Square for the first time earlier this year, she never imagined her face would be displayed across the towering electronic billboards mere months later.
The indie-pop darling, who started her music career in Mackay, was spotted on the iconic big screens of New York City over the weekend after being selected in YouTube’s Black Voices Class of 2023.
The US$100 million multi-year initiative was introduced by YouTube Music in 2020 to provide emerging Black creatives with resources needed to maximise their success on the platform.
Only 40 musicians were selected in the class of 2023 and only three from Australia: A.B. Original, BLESSED and Tia.
“You never really think you’ll get into things like this, so it was pretty unreal to be selected,” said Tia.
“Being able to work directly with YouTube and learn all of their tips straight from the source is probably the most exciting part.
“We also get to do co-writing, so being able to write with people from the States and people I probably wouldn’t have been able to meet or do a session with, that’s also an extremely exciting part of it.”
Tia’s face appeared on the New York City billboard as part of the initiative and will also appear on billboards in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and Nashville.
“It was insane,” she said.
“After going there, and then actually seeing my face up on the billboard in that photo, I could realise how big of a deal it actually is.
“It’s something that I never thought my face would be on, to be honest.”
Tia posted a photo of the billboard on her social media and received supportive messages from far and wide.
“The reaction from everyone, especially people in Mackay, people that have supported me for so long, it was really overwhelming,” she said.
“Just seeing how far it spread and all the people that were messaging me and responding, it was just a great feeling.”
Tia says the selection comes at a great time, as she has recently finished recording her third album and looks forward to utilising the platform in the album’s release.
“I’m about to release a single as well, so being able to get these one-on-one sessions with someone from YouTube, showing me how to market everything properly and make the most out of releases, it’s just a really exciting part,” she said.
“The end half of this year has been really productive compared to the last three years, so it feels like things are starting to move and releases are coming, so I’m really excited for what next year holds.”
‘Say It To My Face’, the first single from Tia Gostelow’s third album, will be out on Thursday December 1.
