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When Aman and Nishil decided to audition for Curtin’s Talent for Tomorrow, they didn’t expect to win, they just wanted to give it a go. But one last-minute decision sparked a new friendship, a full band and a string of unexpected gigs, from jamming at St Catherine’s College to performing for thousands at graduation. Now, their band Dreamline is making moves in the Perth music scene, and it all started with saying ‘yes’.
Winning Talent for Tomorrow wasn’t the plan, it just kind of happened. But for Aman and Nishil, the last-minute decision to audition launched a band, a friendship and a string of unexpected gigs.
Before they even knew each other, both Aman Sidhu and Nishil Alex were already musicians in their own right.
Aman had just moved to Perth and was looking to meet people. He wandered into the music room at St Cat’s and there were a few guys jamming. Nishil was one of them and they clicked musically, straight away.
Nishil had spotted a poster for Talent for Tomorrow, Curtin’s student talent competition, earlier in the semester.
The campus’ talent showcase, Talent For Tomorrow is a live event celebrating the diverse talents of singers, to dancers, to comedians and performers of all kinds. The top performer receives $1,000 in cash and the opportunity to perform at Curtin’s 2025 and 2026 Graduation Ceremonies. Theres also a runner-up and people’s choice cash prize to be won.
He wanted to audition, but didn’t have anyone to play with, so when he met Aman he pitched the idea to him. They agreed to play together and emailed the organisers and set up an audition time.
“We were like, we’ll just give it a go,” Aman says. “We didn’t think we’d even get in.”
Because they had only just got to Perth, they didn’t have much time to rehearse before the audition. They already had a few songs up their sleeve from playing together at their accommodation but had to narrow it down to just one for the audition.
“We didn’t expect to win, everyone else was so good, but we wanted to give it our best.” Nishil said.
Their audition performance went so well that the judges asked for a second song. “We mentioned a second song during the interview questions,” Aman says. “Then someone in the crowd shouted, ‘Play it!’ and everyone joined in.”
That second song may have sealed the deal. Aman and Nishil won the whole thing.
“I just remember walking up to the stage, looking back at Nishil and being like… this is crazy,” Aman says.
Off the back of the win, they added a bassist and a drummer, expanding into a four-piece band. Their next major gig? Performing at Curtin’s graduation ceremonies.
“That crowd was massive, nearly 2,000 people,” Nishil says. “Seeing all the robes and lights, it felt like a huge moment.”
Since then, their band Dreamline, has played at a couple of music venues in Perth, including Clancy’s in Fremantle and 459 at the Rosemount. They used their prize money to upgrade gear and invest in their setup with guitar pedals, instruments and recording equipment.
But the best part, they say, was the chance to kickstart something real.
“Talent for Tomorrow was the catalyst,” says Nishil. “We probably wouldn’t have done all this without it.”
“If we can win it,” Aman adds, “anyone can. And it’s not just for musicians. There were dancers, visual artists, even if you think you’re not a ‘performer’, just give it a shot. You never know what could happen.”
Think you’ve got what it takes? Auditions are now open
Whether you’re a singer, dancer, spoken word artist, or something totally unexpected, we want to see it.
