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The 10th annual TAITE MUSIC PRIZE announces 2019 Winner of Independent Music NZ Classic Record + Finalist Reveal for Auckland Live Best Independent Debut

These awards will be presented alongside the official 2019 Taite Music Prize at the Taite Music Prize 2019 ceremony, Tuesday April 16th,  Q Theatre, Auckland.

Independent Music NZ announces the 2019 recipient of the Classic Record, which aims to acknowledge New Zealand's rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and that also define who we are.

This year's judging panel have given the nod to Moana and the Moahunters' TAHI (Southside - 1993) as one of Aotearoa's classic records. 

TAHI set a precedence by fusing traditional Māori instruments, chants and beats with contemporary dance and soul grooves in its title track. The video for album track 'TAHI' was voted Top Female Video of the Year by television viewers; 'Black Pearl' became an anthem for Māori women, reaching No.2 on the national charts and earning the band its first Gold record, while the follow up single, 'A E I OU',  made the learning of Māori language and te reo vowels accessible to all. The group sang 'Rebel In Me' to President Nelson Mandela when he was hosted at a special church service in Auckland, while the video for 'Peace, Love & Family' featured The Neville Brothers of New Orleans. 'Back Where We Belong' was a gospel-inspired collaboration with Minister Rasul Muhammad of the Nation of Islam. 

The award will be presented to Moana Maniapoto at the official Taite Music Prize 2019 ceremony, Tuesday April 16th,  Q Theatre, Auckland.

The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award celebrates the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2,000 cash prize with thanks to Auckland Live.
Now in its third year of presentation, the finalists for the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut are: 

  • Alien Weaponry - Tū  

  • Jed Parsons - Midnight Feast 

  • Wax Chattels - Wax Chattels

The winner of this award will be announced at the official Taite Music Prize 2019 ceremony, Tuesday April 16th,  Q Theatre, Auckland.

The winner of the offical 2019 Taite Music prize will be announced at the official Taite Music Prize 2019 ceremony, Tuesday April 16th,  Q Theatre, Auckland

Taite Music Prize Finalists:

Alien Weaponry - Tū  (Napalm Records)
Avantdale Bowling Club  - Avantdale Bowling Club (Years Gone By)
Jonathan Bree - Sleepwalking (Lil' Chief Records)
Julia Deans - We Light Fire (Tigerhorse)
Marlon Williams - Make Way For Love (Marlon Williams Music Limited)
Mel Parsons - Glass Heart (Cape Road)
Tami Neilson - SASSAFRASS! (Neilson Records)
The Beths - Future Me Hates Me (Dew Process / Carpark)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Sex & Food (Jagjaguwar)
Wax Chattels - Wax Chattels (Flying Nun Records)

This award recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one recording. The prize winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 to be spent as they wish, thanks to Taite Music Prize founding partnerRecorded Music NZ; recording time at Red Bull Studios Auckland; and a year’s supply of Red Bull product.