A WAVE of talent from Mansfield lit up the stage at the North East Battle of the Bands finale in Albury on Saturday, December 14, leaving both the crowd and judges thoroughly impressed.
Local vocalist Ella Crathern claimed victory in the soloist category, winning the $500 grand prize after a standout performance featuring two original songs, Habits and Attachment Issues, alongside covers of Eminem's Walk on Water and Yebba's My Mind.
The win was a surreal moment for Ella, who admitted she was unsure of her chances leading up to the announcement.
“I’d put in my best, but I didn’t think it was going to be good enough,” she said.
“Then they said my name—it was so surreal and shocking.
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"I felt overwhelmed with pride.”
Performing her own music publicly for the first time added to the excitement.
“Usually, my songs don’t escape the four walls of my house, so it was really nice to get them out there,” she said.
“It’s also great to show other kids in Mansfield, especially those just starting out, that you can do it.”
Ella’s music journey began modestly with a street performance arranged by the Youth Centre just 18 months ago.
Now, she’s working on recording her music in the Mansfield Shire Youth Centre’s studio, with plans to share tracks on local radio.
This summer, Ella will perform at local venues, including the Delatite Hotel and Delatite Winery, before beginning her final year of school.
Looking ahead, she hopes to move to Melbourne to pursue music, either as a solo artist or by joining a band.
In the band category, Mansfield Secondary College’s Blue Curtain secured second place, earning a music store voucher from Albury’s All Music.
The band performed four original songs and a spirited cover of Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode.
For the group, the event marked an emotional milestone as they wrapped up their final performance together—for now.
“It didn’t actually feel like the last time, as we all hope to continue making music and performing together in the future,” vocalist Ashlyn Riley said.
“As for performing, it was so comfortable to be on stage with this group of people.
"They are like my family, and we hope to stay in touch after three years of being so close.”
Next year, Blue Curtain members are heading in different directions: guitarist Judah Kelleher is taking a gap year abroad, bassist Harry Dunsmore and vocalist Ashlyn Riley are staying in Mansfield for their gap years, and drummer Seth Jackson will continue his music studies while completing Year 12.
With a strong foundation and a catalogue of songs already recorded, Blue Curtain aims to release an EP on Spotify early next year.
Mansfield Secondary College music teacher Paul Riley said watching their growth has been an incredible experience.
“With every performance, their confidence grows, and their individual personalities shine,” he said.
“Blue Curtain’s success has inspired other musicians within the school.
“I think it suddenly feels achievable to be successful.”
