Tasman Keith provides vocals for Midnight Oil song "First Nation"

In the years since branching out from his home town, Tasman has created a number of hit songs, which along with his solid work ethic and natural charisma have gained him significant attention in the music industry.

Most recently, legendary Aussie rockers Midnight Oil took note of the 24 year olds talent and reached out for a collaboration on their new album, 'The Makarrata Project'.

"The collaboration with Midnight Oil came out of nowhere, I never saw that coming, they contacted my management and said they were interested in having me in one of their songs," Tasman said.

"It was a surreal moment, the first song they had in mind for me, I wasn't sure about it, I couldn't see myself adding to it, so they played me a few other songs, when I heard First Nation, I knew it was the one."

Once the project was underway, there was still one more surprise to come, and Tasman found himself in the presence of another high profile Australian artist.

"We were in the studio, and someone casually mentioned that Jess was contributing vocals as well, it took me a minute to figure out they meant Jessica Mauboy," he said.

"It was a while before I processed it all, I was too busy working to get star struck, but a few weeks later, it hit me, I have a song with Jess Mauboy and Midnight Oil."

The actual recording of the song took place late last year, and Tasman had to sit on the exciting news for nearly a year before he could share it.

"I didn't find it that hard to keep it a secret, I've always been pretty good at that kind of thing, plus I had plenty of work to keep me busy, I didn't really have time to dwell on it," he said.

"I'm always writing, always making more music, a lot of artists prefer to wait until inspiration strikes, I prefer to keep to my routine."

Like most events, and other things this year, COVID-19 has thrown a large spanner in the works for Tasman's 2020 plans, but the young musician has worked hard to ensure the time wasn't wasted.

"I haven't been able to perform at all this year, coming off doing nearly 60 shows last year, it was definitely an adjustment," he said.

"I came home to Bowraville in April, and while I was quarantined for two weeks, I just wrote songs, I came up with about 20 demos.

"When I came out of quarantine, I came up with another 50 demos, most will probably never get released, it was more about keeping my musical fitness up rather than trying to write the next big hit."

"I'm treating this break like a pre-season training, getting ready when I can start performing regularly again."

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It's been a whirlwind year for everyone, but 2021 brings the promise for new beginnings, and for Tasman, he hopes to take his career to the next step.

"I'm focussed on bringing out something for my fanbase, some of the heavier rap, and building momentum to break into the international scene," he said.

"I'm up for more collaborations, with anyone in any genre of music, I try not to confine myself to one style of music.

"It might take two, five or even ten years to go international, but I'm ready, I have confidence in my abilities, and I have the support of a great team and family."