Giaan Zammataro Releases Award-Winning Debut Single
For emerging singer-songwriter Giaan Zammataro, Friday, June 12 marks a massive, hard-earned milestone. The talented artist from regional Queensland officially released her debut folk-pop single, “to the kid”. The track has already captured national attention.
Giaan won the 2025 National Songwriting Competition’s APRA AMCOS Young Songwriter of the Year. With the prize money, she has transitioned the song from a raw composition into a professionally produced, commercial release. Giaan recorded her song at Unison Studios in Brisbane and it was produced by industry veteran Steve Thornely.
“The song has now been professionally recorded using the prize money from the competition,” Giaan says. “I had so much fun recording with Steve and learnt a LOT! It was one of the best days of my life, and that was possible because of the opportunity the competition gave me.”
A Letter to the Audience
Giaan grew up on a property in the South Burnett region of Queensland, singing and playing guitar from a young age. Inspired by powerful lyricists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, her own songwriting is deeply grounded in honest storytelling, empathy, and human connection.
Described by Giaan as a literal “letter to the audience,” to the kid draws on the experiences of young people navigating life’s challenges, particularly those who have felt judged, misunderstood, or isolated.
“I wanted it to feel calm and understanding, like someone is actually listening,” Giaan explains.
The track itself was born out of a pure burst of inspiration, with Giaan penning the emotional lyrics in just 20 minutes before spending the following week developing the gentle folk-pop melody and arrangement.
Gaining National Momentum
Even before its official release on streaming platforms, to the kid has been turning heads across the Australian music media landscape. The track was entered into Triple J’s prestigious Unearthed High competition. It immediately secured early national radio support, earning coveted airplay on Triple J’s Home and Hosed and Weekend Mornings.
Adding to the excitement, Giaan traveled to the Triple M Darling Downs studio to perform the track completely live on-air.
For Giaan, the impending release represents a beautiful, full-circle journey.
“I just wanted to say thank you again for everything the competition gave me,” says Giaan. “It really helped turn this song into something real.”
Giaan Zammataro’s debut single “to the kid” is available on all major streaming platforms from Friday, June 12.
You can listen to Giaan play her single here. If this story has inspired you to pen your song then enter this years National Songwriting Competition here.
