When Fae Scott finishes Year 12, like many regional students, she plans to relocate to either Geelong or Melbourne. But there are no plans for uni or further study at this stage. Fae, whose stage name is Yergurl, is throwing all her energy into pursuing a career in the music industry.

In late August, Yergurl was named a finalist in Triple J’s Unearthed High.

“After I found out—on my birthday—I was so shocked,” Fae said. “In the end I didn’t win, but the attention from Triple J meant that I started getting contacted by booking agents and managers.”

Fae has been singing and around musicians her whole life.

“My family is really excited and supportive of my dreams,” she said. “Dad is a musician and he’s the one who got me into music—and still has heaps of good advice. Mum has pretty much been my manager up to now. I’ve had a booking agent since the start of this year. But I am now talking to a manager about a contract… I feel like I’m on my way.”

Fae’s involvement in BSE’s Academy of Creative Arts gave her some grounding in music theory and built her confidence with performance. Towards the end of her time at BSE, in late 2016, Fae uploaded I Want to See You Again to SoundCloud… the first song that brought some serious feedback.

These days there is a list of Yergurl songs to choose from on SoundCloud—all the instrumental backings and harmonies are Fae’s.

Fae is also a massive consumer of music—her favourite band is The 1975 and favourite artist, Lana Del Rey.

 “Even when I go walking I usually end up going somewhere and listening to music.”

Fae was invited to perform at White Night but decided she might not be the best fit.

“I call myself the rebellious teen queen and I write songs that say it’s okay to rebel,” she said. “I guess some of my songs are not what some people would consider family friendly.

“I like to think there are no rules about things like social media expectations, how to dress, being politically correct. People seem to feel that they have to conform to so many little rules. Apart from not hurting yourself or others, I really don’t think people should be stopped from doing anything.

“I think there really are lots of first-world problems—I feel sorry for people who feel they have no choices… as though life is just about doing school, getting a job and following a set path.

“But I am noticing that some people do express themselves—their feelings, or in actions such as facial tattoos. I was really shocked by the whole fuss about marriage equality.

“Coming to BSSC has helped me see how diverse people are. Everyone is more mature and starting to form their own opinions—making their own way into the future. I think not having a uniform really helps change things.

“My favourite subject is psychology because of the way it applies to everyday life. I just love it.”

Asked what advice she would offer her 12 year-old self, Fae responded without hesitation.

“I feel like I was really living then—that was my best year. Things went a bit downhill during secondary school because I felt that I had to try to be friends with certain people; that I had to be popular; that I had to wear certain clothes. So I’d remind my 12-year-old me to just be herself.”