HIP HOP CREW SWIDT LEAD 2017 VNZMA FINALISTS

Auckland rap crew SWIDT lead the pack with six finalist nods for the 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards which will be held at the Spark Arena on 16 November.

The Onehunga group is up for Godfrey Hirst Album of the Year, Vodafone Single of the Year, Best Group, Best Hip Hop Artist, and Vodafone People’s Choice – as well as Massey University Best Producer at the Artisan Awards for band member SmokeyGotBeatz.

Two Kiwi songstresses who are making headlines across the world are finalists in multiple categories. Lorde is in the running for Godfrey Hirst Album of the Year, Vodafone Single of the Year, Three Best Solo Artist, The Edge Best Pop Artist, and Vodafone People’s Choice while Aldous Harding has received nominations for Godfrey Hirst Album of the Year, Three Best Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Alternative Artist.

Kiwi dream-pop artist Fazerdaze is up for Best Alternative Artist and Breakthrough Artist of the Year, while indie-rock band LEISURE will look to claim Best Group after their Breakthrough Artist of the Year finalist nod in 2016. On top of this, both are nominated for Godfrey Hirst Album of the Year.

Local hip hop MC David Dallas is a finalist for Godfrey Hirst Album of the Year for his fourth album Hood Country Club. He’s also in the running for Best Hip Hop Artist and Vodafone Single of the Year for his 2017 track ‘Fit In’.

Dunedin-born singer songwriter Nadia Reid has seen her musical career grow significantly over the last few years. A finalist for 2016’s Best Folk Album, the release of her second album Preservation earlier this year has catapulted her into the VNZMA finalist list for Three Best Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Best Alternative Artist.

Another newcomer to the Music Awards is TEEKS who debuted at number ten on the NZ Official Top 40 Chart for ‘The Grapefruit Skies EP’. He’s up for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Best Soul/RnB Artist, and Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist at this year’s show.

Kiwi music stalwart Ladi6 is a finalist for Best Soul/RnB Artist and Christchurch’s Theia has been nominated for The Edge Best Pop Artist and Vodafone People’s Choice. Both musicians are up for Vodafone Single of the Year for ‘Royal Blue’ and ‘Roam’, respectively.

There are some strong finalists for Best Roots Artist with Israel Starr, Sons of Zion, and Tomorrow People all being recognised for their contributions to the genre in 2017.

The last 12 months have seen the release of excellent electronic music as well. Chaos In The CBD, K+Lab, and Truth are the three finalists for Best Electronic Artist.

Other finalists include Devilskin (Best Group, Best Rock Artist), KINGS (Three Best Solo Artist, Best Hip Hop Artist, Vodafone People’s Choice), Shapeshifter (Best Group), MAALA (Vodafone Single of the Year, Vodafone People’s Choice), Mitch James (The Edge Best Pop Artist), Clap Clap Riot (Best Rock Artist), Graham Brazier (Best Rock Artist), Tommy Nee (Best Soul/RnB Artist), Alien Weaponry (Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist), and Maisey Rika (Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist).

Curate Music, Josh & Amberley Klinkenberg, and Juliagrace are finalists for Best Worship Artist, while Jenny McLeod, NZ Trio, and Te Kōkī Trio have all been recognised as finalists for Best Classical Artist.

Recorded Music CEO Damian Vaughan says each year gets better and better and he is immensely proud of this year’s finalists.

“We have a wide variety of talented musicians dedicated to their craft here in New Zealand. The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards gives us a platform to recognise the incredible work that’s been produced across a number of genres and categories. It will be a fantastic night to take in everything that has been achieved in New Zealand music this past year,” says Vaughan.

The recipients of the Vodafone Highest Selling Single, Highest Selling Album, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year, and the International Achievement Award  will also be announced on the night.

A line-up of exciting live performances

Alongside celebrating the great Kiwi musicians and their work over the last 12 months, the 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards welcomes a number of artists to take the stage and perform on the night.

This year, SWIDT, Lorde, TEEKS, Theia and Devilskin will be performing on the night and there will also be two special performances, including a tribute to the 2017 Legacy Award recipient.

The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards will be broadcast live on Three on November 16th from 8.30pm. Whether you’re on the red carpet or your couch at home, you’ll be able to watch some of New Zealand’s finest musical talent at the Music Awards.

Tickets go on sale 5 October, $25 general admission + booking fee, available from Ticketmaster. 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2017 APRA SILVER SCROLL AWARDS

Lorde has won the 2017 APRA Silver Scroll Award for her international hit song 'Green Light'.
 
Ella Yelich O’Connor, along with her co-writers Jack Antonoff and Joel Little were unable to be at the ceremony held at the Dunedin Town Hall last night, but were thrilled to win the award, and Ella sent this message from America.
 
“I can’t believe it. I really wanted to win the Silver Scroll Award, I just feel like it’s so prestigious and important. I always love and respect the songs that end up in the Silver Scrolls.
 
“Thank you for honouring 'Green Light', which is a song I love so much, and am so proud of. The second it came out, I knew it felt like a bit of my heart, right in the song. Thank you so much, I wish I was there!”
 
It’s the third time Lorde has been a finalist in her short career, and her second win with co-writer Joel Little, after being awarded the trophy for 'Royals' in 2013. The award acknowledges excellence in songwriting and has been given to some of the most recognisable names and songs in New Zealand music during its 52 year history, from the Swingers’ ‘Counting The Beat’ and Bic Runga’s ‘Drive’ to Scribe and P Money’s ‘Not Many’.
 
“As a song, 'Green Light' instantly hit its mark. Ella has captured that moment in her life and shared it beautifully with us all” says Anthony Healey, Head of NZ Operations for APRA AMCOS. “Along with Joel and Jack she’s crafted something that’s been critically acclaimed all over the world. But the acclaim of your peers is special, it’s the highest praise and in this case a well-deserved accolade.”
 
Critically acclaimed musician and songwriter Shayne Carter (Straitjacket Fits and Dimmer) was the musical director of tonight’s 52nd APRA Silver Scrolls ceremony, which saw a host of other Kiwi songwriters collect awards.
 
Newcomers Alien Weaponry (Henry de Jong, Lewis de Jong, and Ethan Trembath) took the esteemed APRA Maioha Award, recognising exceptional waiata featuring te reo Māori, for their heavy metal anthem 'Raupatu'. The song raises awareness of land confiscations by the colonial government with a startling performance.
 
Wellington composer and violinist, Salina Fisher, won the SOUNZ Contemporary Award for the second year in a row, with her haunting composition 'Torino', which was inspired by the work of taonga puoro artist Rob Thorne. Rob was able to accept the award on Salina’s behalf, because she is currently based in New York, studying at the Manhattan School of Music.

First time finalist Claire Cowan received the APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award for her rich and varied soundtrack for TV mini-series 'Hillary', which celebrated the life of Sir Edmund Hillary .
 
The APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award was won by Tim Prebble for his emotive work on beautiful independent film 'One Thousand Ropes'.
 
Rounding off the evening was the induction of The Clean into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, with a wonderful tribute to the iconic Dunedin band from poet David Merritt, film-maker Stuart Page, and musicians Astro Children and Billy TK.
 
The winner of all awards were:
APRA Silver Scroll Award: Ella Yelich O’Connor, Jack Antonoff, Joel Little (Lorde) – Green Light
APRA Maioha Award: Henry de Jong, Lewis de Jong, Ethan Trembath (Alien Weaponry) – Raupatu
SOUNZ Contemporary Award: Salina Fisher – Torino
APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award: Claire Cowan – Hillary
APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award: Tim Prebble – One Thousand Ropes
Hall of Fame: The Clean – Hamish Kilgour, David Kilgour, Robert Scott, and Peter Gutteridge
 

FOUR TUIS UP FOR GRABS AT THE SECOND ANNUAL ARTISAN AWARDS

After Joel Little claimed two Music Awards at the inaugural event in 2016, the Artisan Awards return on 25 October to celebrate New Zealand’s best behind-the-scenes music talent.

There is an impressive set of finalists set to be honoured at this year’s event with Tuis presented for Massey University Best Producer, Best Engineer, Best Album Cover and NZ On Air Best Music Video.

Recorded Music New Zealand CEO Damian Vaughan says he’s delighted to bring the Artisan Awards back for its second year.

“The Artisan Awards are all about recognising the incredible behind-the-scenes talent. Producers and engineers ensure the world-class and technical sound quality of New Zealand music while album covers and music videos help to contextualise songs in our heads, long after the music stops playing.”

The Massey University Best Producer finalists are Ben Edwards for his work on Nadia Reid’s album Preservation, SmokeyGotBeatz for producing Stoneyhunga for his band SWIDT, and LEISURE who produced their own self-titled album.

Ben Edwards gets another nod for Best Engineer also for his work on Nadia Reid’s album Preservation, joining Clint Murphy for Devilskin’s Be Like The River, and Chris Chetland for A Place to Stand by REI.

Recognising  the top music video creators of the past year, they are Sam Kristofski for his Fazerdaze creation Lucky Girl, Dan Watkins (Reel Factory) for Shapeshifter’s Her, and rounding out the NZ on Air Best Music Video finalists is Joel Kefali for Got It Bad by LEISURE.

Henrietta Harris was previously a finalist for Best Album Cover in 2014 and she returns this year for her work on Grayson Gilmour’s Otherness. Joining Henrietta is Dean Poole & Tyrone Ohia (Alt Group for Shapeshifter’s Stars and Jamie Robertson for String Theory by Fly My Pretties.

Artisan finalists list:

Best Album Cover

·       Alt Group for Stars (Shapeshifter)

·       Henrietta Harris for Otherness (Grayson Gilmour)

·       Jamie Robertson for String Theory (Fly My Pretties)

Massey Unviersity Best Producer

·       Ben Edwards for Preservation (Nadia Reid)

·       LEISURE for LEISURE (LEISURE)

·       SmokeyGotBeatz for Stoneyhunga (SWIDT)

Best Engineer

·       Ben Edwards for Preservation (Nadia Reid)

·       Chris Chetland for A Place to Stand (REI)

·       Clint Murphy for Be Like The River (Devilskin)

NZ On Air Best Music Video

·       Dan Watkins for Her (Shapeshifter)

·       Joel Kefali for Got It Bad (LEISURE)

·       Sam Kristofskifor Lucky Girl (Fazerdaze)

The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards will be broadcast live on Three on November 16th from 8.30pm. Tickets go on sale 5 October, $25 general admission + booking fee, available from Ticketmaster.

The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards will be broadcast live on Three on November 16th from 8.30pm.

THREE ICONIC MĀORI MUSICIANS TO RECEIVE POSTHUMOUS HONOURS AT THE 10th ANNUAL WAIATA MĀORI MUSIC AWARDS

Three iconic Māori artists will be honoured posthumously at the upcoming 10th annual Waiata Māori Music Awards in Hastings next Friday, September 15.
 
Celebrated 1970s singer Bunny Tekokiri Miha Wahi Walters will receive the Music Industry Award.  Walters (Ngāi Te Rangi) was born and raised in Katikati in the Bay of Plenty and his first single, Just Out of Reach was released in 1969. Three years later his single Brandy, featuring the Yandell sisters, was released. The song reached number four on the New Zealand pop charts, while another of Walters’ songs, Take the Money, reached number 2.  Walters was inspired by the artists of his day including The Drifters and Tom Jones and is remembered by those who loved his timeless music, as well as artists with whom he performed and influenced during his time.  Walters passed away in December last year.
 
Tainui waka performing arts stalwart Kiritokia e-te Tomairangi Adrianne Gail Paki is this year’s recipient of the Keeper of Tradition Award.  Paki, the sister of the Māori king, died in April of this year. In 2016 she was made a life member of the Tainui Cultural Trust for her contribution to kapa haka over four decades performing and tutoring Taniwharau.
 
Whanau of Canon Wiremu Te Tau Huata (CBE, QSO, MC) will accept the Music Composer’s Award on his behalf at Friday’s Awards ceremony. Huata (Ngati Kahungungu) was a New Zealand Anglican priest and military chaplain. Encouraged by Sir Apirana Ngata, a young Huata enlisted and served in WWII as part of the 28th New Zealand (Māori) Battalion and as a returned serviceman he composed many songs that have become Māori anthems, most notably his rendition of How Great Thou Art into Whakaaria mai.  Other songs he is famous for include Tutira Mai Ngā Iwi, Pā Mai and A.E.I.O.U.  In 2016, Whakaaria Mai, a special 60-minute stage production based on Huata’s life was staged in New Zealand. Huata passed away in 1991.
 
The iconic award recipients are selected by a special awards committee. All other awards categories are judged separately. 

NZ MUSIC PRODUCER SERIES

The second New Zealand Music Producer Series will be held in Auckland from October 30th - November 10th 2017.

Hosted by Recorded Music New Zealand, curated by producer Greg Haver, with support from NZ On Air, APRA AMCOS and SAE Auckland, the series will bring two internationally renowned producer/engineers, David Wrench and Romesh Dodangoda to Auckland to work with the country’s best studio professionals on recording and mixing, plus one-on-one mentoring on current music projects.

Roundhead Studios will be running the series of masterclasses in tracking and mixing for groups of up to eight people. Evening Q&A seminars for larger groups will be held at Recorded Music New Zealand, with mentoring sessions being held at SAE.

Wrench and Dodangoda will run separate sessions over the two weeks, covering different genres and recording methods.

Wrench has become an in-demand mix engineer for a wide range of artists including: The xx, Frank Ocean, Goldfrapp, FKA Twigs, Sampha, Hot Chip, Jungle, Glass Animals, White Lies, Bloc Party, Blossoms, Caribou and Chet Faker. He has mixed four of the albums nominated for the 2017 Mercury Music Prize and won mix engineer of the year at the 2016 Music Producers Guild Awards.

Wrench began his career as a recording artist, releasing three solo albums before moving on to become the house engineer at Bryn Derwyn studios in North Wales, engineering for artists such as Bat for Lashes, Everything Everything, Beth Orton, James Yorkston and Julian Cope.

Wrench will be hosting an ‘Additional Production and Mix’ workshop from the 31st of October- 2nd November, along with a public seminar on the evening of October 30th.

“I'm very excited about my first trip to New Zealand. I've been hearing a lot about how vibrant the music scene is there right now and am very much looking forward to working with some new artists”. David Wrench

Dodangoda produces and mixes rock, pop and metal from his well-equipped Long Wave Studios in Cardiff, Wales, alongside regular sessions at Rockfield, Monnow Valley, Abbey Road and Metropolis Studios.

An expert in the rock/metal genre he has worked with a host of artists including Motörhead, Bring Me the Horizon, Funeral for a Friend, Twin Atlantic, Bullet for My Valentine, Lower Than Atlantis, Sylosis and Monuments.

Dodangoda started his career working with up-and-coming Welsh rock artists including The Blackout, Attack! Attack! and Kids in Glass Houses, going on to produce their ‘Smart Casual’ album.

His recent work includes mixing Bring Me the Horizon’s ‘Live at the Royal Albert Hall’ release which included a full orchestra and choir.

Dodangoda will be hosting a ‘Recording and Mixing Rock, Pop and Metal’ workshop from the 7th- 9th of November, along with a public seminar on the evening of November 6th.

“I’m incredibly excited to be coming over for the New Zealand Producer Series. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone who’s attending the masterclass and showing them how I approach production, recording and mixing, in great detail, from start to finish”. Romesh Dodangoda

Applications for the New Zealand Music Producer Series are open from September 7th – October 10th 2017.

Each seminar includes: A three-day workshop with the selected producer at Roundhead Studio A; a one-on-one session the following day, to discuss personal projects and guaranteed attendance at the public seminars. Lunch and late afternoon tea is also included for the Roundhead workshops. The cost for each seminar is $600 plus GST.

For an application form visit: https://www.recordedmusic.co.nz/nzmps

For further information, contact Greg Haver on greghaver@icloud.com

Media Hastag #NZproducerseries

Terms and Conditions:

Applications must be submitted by 5pm, Tuesday 10th October 2017.

Successful applicants will be informed by 5pm, Friday 13th October 2017.

Upon acceptance, The NZ Music Producer Series will issue an invoice to the applicant which must be paid in full by 5pm, Friday 27th October 2017.

A cancellation fee of 50% will apply after 5pm, Friday 27th October 2017.

Travel, transfers, and accommodation are not included in the course fee and are the responsibility of the attendee.

The New Zealand Music Producer Series reserves the right to amend or vary the content of the series at any time.

By participating, attendees grant The New Zealand Music Producer Series permission to use their names, photographs and video likeness for future promotion and marketing purposes without remuneration.

MĀORI MUSIC MONTH 2017 CLOSES WITH SPECIAL CELEBRATION CONCERT

The second annual Te Marama Pūoro Waiata Māori (Māori Music Month) will be capped off this weekend by a special celebration concert in Napier.
 
Māori Music Month is run by the Waiata Māori Awards throughout the month of August to celebrate Māori Music.
 
The 2017 celebration concert takes place this Saturday from 11am at the Century Theatre in Napier and includes performances by:
 
- Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu

- Ngati Kahungunu Taikura

- Singer/songwriter Amba Holly (Winner Best Māori Female Solo, Waiata Māori Music Awards 2016)

- Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre presents Whakaaria Mai (world class Māori Dance Company that takes Māori Arts to the global stage)
 

About the Māori Music Month Celebration Concert
 
Date:            Saturday 2 September, 2017
Time:           11am
Venue:         MTG Century Theatre, Napier
Tickets:       Free entry!
                   Tickets available at Takitimu Performing Arts School and MTG Napier Museum.

FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2018 - APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

The Folk Alliance International Conference is the world’s largest gathering of the Folk music industry and community (crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Indigenous, Old Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter, and Spoken Word).

The annual February conference (now in its 30th year) draws 2,700 artists and industry (agents, managers, publishers, labels, festival/venue presenters, promoters, media) dedicated to folk music. Delegates who attended the 2017 conference represented 27 countries including Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.

FAI's Official Showcases are jury-selected nightly concerts that feature emerging artists and touring legends from around the world. They represent an unparalleled opportunity to perform for hundreds of festival and venue bookers, agents, managers, media, and music industry representatives who attend the conference.

Previous New Zealand showcasing artists include Mel Parsons, Delaney Davidson, and Marlon Williams.

DATE: February 14-18, 2018

LOCATION: Westin Crown Center Hotel, Kansas City, MO, USA

The deadline for applications to showcase close September 13, 2017, at 5 pm CST.

For more information about applying to participate in the Folk Alliance International Conference visit: http://www.folkconference.org/OSAapp.html

FRAMED MUSICIANS OF AOTEAROA POSTERS UP FOR CHARITY AUCTION

Phantom Bill Stickers, leaders in the most music-friendly ad medium in the country, have gifted an exclusive set of their acclaimed NZ Music Month “Musicians of Aotearoa” poster series to The NZ Music Foundation for auction on TradeMe. The proceeds will help the charity to provide emergency assistance and counselling to kiwi music people experiencing illness and hardship and also help develop music projects in the community that positively change the lives of people in need. 

The fifteen posters are specially printed A3 copies of the “Musicians of Aotearoa” series displayed around the country during this year’s NZ Music Month in May. They are each presented in their own frames and will be progressively available for bid on TradeMe from this Wednesday. Three posters will be listed each week with Ronnie van Hout (Into the Void), Bill Vosburgh (Perfect Strangers) and George Henderson (The Puddle) kicking off the auction series.

“Musicians of Aotearoa” comprises 40 portraits made into posters of some of our best but maybe not best- known musicians. Photographers Hayley Theyers and Stuart Page visited the homes and studios of musicians around the country to shoot them for the posters. Phantom Bill Stickers managing partner Jamey Holloway says “Posters are the flowers of the streets; beautiful, vibrant and very of the moment. But they are also works of art and this is a perfect way for someone to take home and treasure some of the shit-hot images that Hayley and Stu have created. We’re damn proud to support The NZ Music Foundation who do vital work in the community and with kiwi musicians by providing these posters for auction.”

The New Zealand Music Foundation general manager, Peter Dickens, says: “We’ve loved the subject matter, the art and the impact these posters have had ever since they went up. We’re very grateful to the people of Phantom Bill Stickers for supporting us in this way. The proceeds will give a great boost to our work with kiwi music people and with people in the community who are at risk or suffering from health issues.”

The posters have a starting price of $15 and can be found at The NZ Music Foundation presence on the TradeMe website from Wednesday 28 June. The auctions will each be open for ten days and the winning bidders will be able to pay by credit card or direct transfer to the The NZ Music Foundation.