REB FOUNTAIN wins 2021 Taite Music Prize

PLUS fuzzy doo-wop group Na Noise; the visionary Pātea Māori Club; and Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest were all honoured at tonight’s Taite Music Prize ceremony.

Tonight, the winner of the 2021 Taite Music Prize which highlights outstanding New Zealand albums released in the past year was awarded to Reb Fountain for her critically praised self-titled album released on Flying Nun Records.

The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut went to Na Noise for their debut album Waiting For You released on the independent Tāmaki Makaurau label 1:12 Records.

The Independent Music NZ Classic Record award was presented to Patea Māori Club for their groundbreaking single 'Poi E' released in 1983 on Maui Records.

The Independent Spirit Award was granted to Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest for their contribution to music through 33 years of motivating young musicians and helping them to develop their talent and creativity, musicianship, and performance skills.

Dylan Pellett, General Manager Independent Music New Zealand says, "It’s astounding to me that we can celebrate together tonight and show off the talented artists that live and create in Aotearoa. What a privilege to present this event on behalf of our membership and the wider music community. Top work everyone!"

The 2021Taite Music Prize was held at Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau and featured performances by Troy Kingi, Patea Māori Club and Na Noise performing Reb Fountain’s song 'Faster' from the prize-winning album.

The prestigious ceremony was hosted by 95bFM's Sarah Thomson with awards presented by Julia Deans and Anna Coddington. The event was attended by 400 industry, media, and artists from across the country and was a spectacular celebration of outstanding creative works made in Aotearoa.

2021 Taite Music Prize - Reb Fountain

Reb Fountain is an award-winning songwriter, consummate recording artist, and performer; spell-bounding audiences with her music and artistry alike. In May 2020, Reb Fountain released her self-titled album to critical and popular acclaim through iconic New Zealand label, Flying Nun Records. Reb Fountain's self-titled quickly sold out worldwide garnering favourable reviews and new fans both at home and abroad.

Says Sarah Illingworth on the 2021 winner "Reb Fountain sees its eponymous creator at the top of her game – or perhaps preparing to climb to new and headier peaks. The album and Reb’s path to releasing it captures the independent spirit championed by the Taite Music Prize while sparkling with the high caliber of production and performance that makes an artist a star."

2021 Auckland Live Best Independent Debut - Na Noise

Na Noise are the Thelma and Louise of modern DIY guitar-based music. They released their debut album 'Waiting For You' on 1:12 Records in November 2020. The long-time collaborators Hariet Ellis and Yolanda Fagan (both having worked together on BOZO, Vincent H.L, Echo Ohs and Thee Crockettes) have a rascally take on traditional song — with their new-old songs, the band introduce a new-old sound. Joined by multi-instrumentalist Christopher Varnham who provides organ, drums, and various other percussive elements, the three have cultivated a dark sound that is more carnivalesque than it is psychedelic.

Radio New Zealand's Charlotte Ryan comments "Na Noise captured me with their psychedelic, hypnotizing guitars and vocals. Their sound and vibe remind me of bands from the past, singing cool pop songs with warped vocals and dark sonic undertones. Their debut was impressive, I'm excited to see what they do next."

The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award celebrates the freshest talent of Aotearoa. Tonight, Na Noise took home a $2000 cash prize plus a performance or technical upskilling opportunity thanks to Auckland Live.

2021 Independent Spirit Award - Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest

The two founders of Rockquest Promotions, Pete Rainey and Glenn Common, first met while working as high school teachers in Christchurch. In 1988 they entered some bands from their school into a performance competition that a local radio station was putting on. They saw the kids really responding to the opportunity to play contemporary music.

The following year the radio station was unable to put the event on again, so Pete and Glenn decided to run it themselves. They saw the benefit in a platform for high school students to play live on a professionally equipped stage, expressing their talent and creativity all while developing their musicianship and performance skills.

In 1990 the competition went nationwide. Pete and Glenn applied for funding from the Government, which allowed them to roll out the competition out in 5 locations around the country - adding Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington, and Rotorua. The schools in the four new regions caught on really quickly, and it was at this moment they realised the competition could be big and sustainable in the long term.

Now with 40 gigs every year across the country, Smokefreerockquest has become New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, original music, youth event to give young musicians the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting, in venues from Whangarei to Invercargill. It has been a stepping stone for many of the country's most well-known and successful artists, contributing massively to the music community throughout Aotearoa.

Dylan Pellett, General Manager Independent Music New Zealand says “this award was a real blast for me - as I was performing in one of those Rockquest bands back in 1989!! So it felt really special to give something back to Pete and Glenn and acknowledge their contribution to the NZ music tapestry. And stoked that super-talented Julia Deans and Anna Coddington were on hand to present the award to them - amazing mahi!"

The Independent Spirit Award recognises and celebrates a New Zealander: someone who is passionate about NZ music; who's ahead of the game in creativity, diversity, and imagination; and has dedicated themself to helping artists and the wider music community to grow and find their own unique pathways. The annual recipient is determined by the IMNZ Board.

Patea Māori Club. Photo credit: Gil Hanly

2021 Independent Music NZ Classic Record - Patea Māori Club 

The Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award acknowledges one New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. These records, whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history.

The 2021 award was granted to Patea Māori Club for their groundbreaking single 'Poi E'.

Patea Māori Club’s 'Poi E’ lyrics were written by te reo advocate, linguist, and composer, Ngoi Pēwhairangi (QSM) and music by Dalvanius Prime in 1983, to encourage rangatahi to be proud of being Māori. A simple song with a catchy beat sung entirely in te reo Māori 'Poi E' has become Aotearoa’s unofficial national anthem, giving pride to generations of New Zealanders. 

Recorded and released in late 1983, the single spent four weeks at number one and a further 22 weeks in the music charts, which was unprecedented for a song in te reo Māori. As well as being a sensation in Aotearoa, the Pātea Māori Club received international recognition - touring the United Kingdom in 1984, playing at the London Palladium, the Edinburgh Festival, and giving a Royal Command Performance. Top British contemporary music magazine of the time, New Musical Express (NME), named ‘Poi E’ its Single of the Week.

In 2010 ‘Poi E’ was used in Taika Waititi's hit movie, Boy. This saw the song back in the New Zealand music charts. A documentary on the song was released in 2016,  and in 2021 - 38 years after its release -  ‘Poi E’ is officially being acknowledged as an important part of our rich musical tapestry as the recipient of the 2021 IMNZ Classic Record.

Jeremy Taylor from Slow Boat Records says "Poi E" single; an undisputed, stone-cold classic receives recognition for its genre-busting styles, its irrepressible spirit, and its huge contribution to a strong, independent musical voice" 

Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand’s most respected music journalists, the Taite Music Prize recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained in one recording. Reb Fountain also received a cash prize of $12,500, thanks to founding partner Recorded Music NZ and supporting partner NZ Music Commission.

THE NEW BLUE – PIXIE WILLIAMS REIMAGINED

The legacy of Pixie Williams, the evocative voice behind the number one 1949 hit Blue Smoke, continues with the reimagined album The New Blue, releasing Friday 9 April. Containing 11 tracks of reworked gems, recorded by a collection of contemporary Kiwi vocalists, the album celebrates the enduring yet brief singing career of New Zealand’s first number one pop song vocalist and wāhine Māori artist.

While Dean Martin famously covered, and had a hit, with Blue Smoke in 1951, a new generation of artists demonstrate that over 70 years later, the compositions remain as timeless as ever. The album includes the distinctive vocal talents of soul diva and te reo Māori champion Whirimako Black (MNZM),  acclaimed musician, producer and songwriter Anna Coddington and modern soul singer Louis Baker. New artists sing alongside the more established, with only the song to answer to – reflecting the priorities of the day when Pixie recorded Blue Smoke in 1949, fresh from hockey practice as a 20 year old. 

The project has been a labour of love for Williams’ daughter Amelia Costello, who in 2011 released the album Pixie Williams: For The Record.  This compilation of works set to digitally preserve the scarce collection of Williams’ 78rpm shellac single releases, the only format to remain from her original recordings. Costello explains how The New Blue began;

“I've always wanted to refresh the music with contemporary artists. I had started work on this when the technology made it possible to remaster the originals, which was first logical thing to do to save the music. The remastered album was so well received, it reinforced the interest in a reimagined album.”

Enter Mike Gibson, sound engineer to a wealth of local artists over the last three decades. Gibson restored and remastered the original shellac recordings for the 2011 release, and now returns as the executive producer and engineer for this new album. Gibson has constructed a unique production team with Riki Gooch (eru dangerspiel, Trinity Roots) and vocalist Lisa Tomlins (Fat Freddy’s Drop, L.A.B, Hollie Smith), who bring a refreshingly natural and effortless beauty to the production. “The key was stepping out of this modern world and allowing the space for each song to guide us,” says Gibson. 

Alongside a healthy collection of composer Ruru Karatiana’s works, the album features a tune by another great songwriter of the time, Sam Freedman; responsible for writing the iconic Haere Mai.  First recorded in 1949, and now reimagined and recorded in te reo Māori, Freedman’s Māoriland is a fitting bridge between eras, when recording in te reo would not have been a consideration.

The New Blue – Pixie Williams Reimagined

Saddle Hill ft The Victory Dolls

Let’s Talk It Over ft Anna Coddington

Ain’t It A Shame ft Whirimako Black 

Bellbird Serenade ft Rachel Fraser

Blue Smoke ft Pixie Williams, Lisa Tomlins and Kirsten Te Rito

Sweetheart in Calico ft George Rutherford

Sailing Along on a Moonbeam ft Amba Holly

Señorita ft Lisa Tomlins

Māoriland ft Kirsten Te Rito

It’s Just Because ft Deanne Krieg

Windy City ft Louis Baker

Audiences will have the chance to hear The New Blue in a live setting with Kirsten Te Rito, Rachel Fraser and Lisa Tomlins bringing these songs, supported by full backing band, to Dunedin as part of the Dunedin Arts Festival on 13 April. The show then travels to Wanaka for the Festival of Colour arts festival on 14 April.

The New Blue album and live shows compliment the 2020 documentary, Pixie – The Voice of Blue Smoke, which shines a new light on the story behind the iconic song. Director Daniel Mulholland states; "It's been a once in a lifetime opportunity to document this colourful time in Aotearoa's music history. To now hear the songs of yesteryear performed by today's artists is truly a blessing. The album and documentary will sit side by side as tribute to our pioneers and a showcase of the musical talent we currently have around us. Mauri ora!"

“Making this record has been a wonderful journey of revisiting the musical landscape of Pixie Williams and Ruru Karaitiana” states Gooch, “It has been musically fulfilling.”

The New Blue releases on Friday 9 April through Blue Smoke Records and is distributed through Rhythmethod. Pixie – The Voice of Blue Smoke is available to view here, and is also available on Māori TV On Demand.

For further information on Pixie Williams – www.bluesmokerecords.com

THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC NEW ZEALAND 2021 CLASSIC RECORD RECIPIENT ANNOUNCED: 'POI E' - PATEA MĀORI CLUB

This year, IMNZ pays respect to the Patea Māori Club
for their groundbreaking single
'Poi E' released in 1983 on Maui Records.

The presentation of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record award will be at Auckland’s Q Theatre on 20th April 2021.

Patea Māori Club’s 'Poi E’ lyrics were written by te reo advocate, linguist, and composer, Ngoi Pēwhairangi (QSM) and music by Dalvanius Prime in 1983, to encourage rangatahi to be proud of being Māori. A simple song with a catchy beat sung entirely in te reo Māori 'Poi E' has become Aotearoa’s unofficial national anthem, giving pride to generations of New Zealanders. 

Recorded and released in late 1983, the single spent four weeks at number 1 and a further 22 weeks in the music charts, which was unprecedented for a song in te reo Māori. As well as being a sensation in Aotearoa, the Pātea Māori Club received international recognition - touring the United Kingdom in 1984, playing at the London Palladium, the Edinburgh Festival, and giving a Royal Command Performance. Top British contemporary music magazine of the time, New Musical Express (NME), named ‘Poi E’ its Single of the Week.

This week, group member Maryanne Broughton remembers,"The release of 'Poi E' was a huge milestone for Māori music and was an extended dream of Dals’ and Aunty Ngoi's to get our language back out there, to encourage young Māori to be proud of being Māori. It actually wasn't popular with the older generation as it was not the traditional way of singing our songs but it was released at just the right moment, when young kids were learning and relating to te reo Māori via Te Kohanga Reo, and our teenagers were jumping on the break dancing craze. Singing 'Poi E' meant the kids were using our language every day."

In 2010 ‘Poi E’ was used in Taika Waititi's hit movie, Boy. This saw the song back in the New Zealand music charts. A documentary on the song was released in 2016,  and in 2021 - 38 years after its release -  ‘Poi E’ is officially being acknowledged as an important part of our rich musical tapestry as the recipient of the 2021 IMNZ Classic Record.

SoundCheck Aotearoa: update on upcoming workshops, resources, and FAQs

We thought it was time to update our music community on the work of SoundCheck Aotearoa, tell you more about what we are doing and why, and invite you all to participate in upcoming events.

SoundCheck Aotearoa is an action group formed in 2020 with the mission to foster a safe and inclusive culture for the music community. Our first project is focused on the prevention of and response to sexual harm, and in the future we want to expand our work to cover representation and inclusion issues more broadly.

You can read more about us and our first project HERE.

FAQs
As conversations have unfolded there have understandably been a variety of who/what/when questions around SoundCheck Aotearoa. Transparency is important to us, so we have answered them with an FAQ section, which you will find HERE.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Through March and April we are offering a series of workshops on the topic of a safe and inclusive culture for the music community in Aotearoa, and an online feedback form for those who can’t attend the workshops. The workshops are scheduled for Monday 22nd March, Tuesday 23rd March, and Tuesday 6th April.
Your ideas from the workshops and feedback form will help us to prioritise what’s needed, and develop a firmer work plan for the coming 12-18 months.
We will circulate that work plan in May 2021, and offer another chance to give feedback then.
For information about upcoming workshops, to RSVP and access the online feedback form, click HERE.

WHAT CAN I DO IN THE MEANTIME?
Creating culture change in the music community is a long term project that SoundCheck Aotearoa are committed to, but there are things we can all do in the short term to raise awareness and increase safety and inclusivity.
Click HERE to read a list of suggestions created by our experts, and HERE to access some resources.

We understand that issues relating to sexual harm are sensitive and can trigger a variety of feelings and reactions. We encourage anyone affected or anyone who has experienced harm in the music community to make use of the range of support services listed on our website HERE.

ORO

APRA NZ is joining forces with songwriters, broadcasters, funders, record labels and other music entities, to support the emergence of a bilingual music industry.

Head of NZ Operations, Anthony Healey says “Waiata connects us all to Māori language and culture, and we want to embrace the opportunity to celebrate our Aotearoatanga through music.

"We are blessed with a rich history of waiata reo Māori and we want to support our kaitito waiata (songwriters) who have been fostering the language in song for many years. We also want to encourage those who are not so confident yet with the reo to write, record, and perform more”.

ORO (meaning to resound, resonate or a musical note) is APRA's strategy, as part of a shared music industry approach to increase the repertoire of waiata reo Māori and waiata reorua (bilingual songs).

Initiatives include the translation and recording of existing songs, as well as collaborations between artists and mātanga reo (language experts) to write new waiata.

Leading APRA’s Māori music development, Hinewehi Mohi says “Whether artists are already recording and performing in Māori, or have just started their reo journey in this way, we want to celebrate their work and create more opportunity for it to be heard.

"We’re pulling together a maramataka/calendar to create awareness and opportunity for waiata punctuations around the country, throughout 2021”. https://apraamcos.co.nz/news/2021/february/maramataka-calendar/

APRA will also conduct a research initiative and review of data collation for legacy waiata and songwriters, as well as greater engagement with kapa haka communities, and taonga puoro (traditional instrument) practitioners to support them in registration and recognition of their works.

“Music is a great connector, and is a way we can express our unique cultural identity. By supporting the production, promotion and broadcast of waiata, we may all one day be singing from the same song sheet!”

Introducing Gig Starters - It’s All About All Ages Gigs

NZ Music Commission has created a new seminar series called ‘Gig Starters’, talking with young people about putting on all ages gigs. The initiative is hitting the road in March visiting Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin with a FREE seminar, workshop and all ages gig in each centre.

Designed as an introduction to creating and producing all ages live music shows, the Gig Starters up-skilling events kick off with a 4pm seminar featuring a panel of industry professionals, a local recording artist and a production technician (sound and/or lighting) discussing the basics of putting on your own all ages gig.

After the seminar, there will be a workshop around the soundcheck to prepare for a show that evening, with opportunity for the participants to observe and be part of a live production set-up, with the all ages gig starting at 7pm.

‘Creating live gigs is an awesome way to make first steps into the industry as a musician or someone who is interested in a career behind the scenes in music. You’ll get to be part of putting on an event showcasing great local music, and learn new skills at the same time’ - Rodney Fisher, NZ Music Commission

The event is FREE, but you will need to register via Eventbrite for safety and contact tracing purposes.

Register for Gig Starters in your town here:

March 11 – Hamilton https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-hamilton-tickets-141231640639

March 12 – Auckland https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-auckland-tickets-142814908235

March 18 – Palmerston North https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-palmerston-north-tickets-143041339497

March 19 – Wellington https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-wellington-tickets-143064536881

March 26 – Christchurch https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-christchurch-tickets-143062982231

March 27 – Dunedin https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/gig-starters-dunedin-tickets-143071136621

Artist Expressions of Interest Open - Taranaki Arts Festival

The Taranaki Arts Festival is seeking expression of interest from artists for their 2021 festival season.

Presented by TAFT, the Taranaki Arts Festival launched in March 1991 as a biennial international arts festival. Over the years it has hosted the likes of Russia’s delightful Slava’s SnowShow, Montreal’s explosive Traces, the world premiere of opera The Prodigal Child, Dame Malvina Major, the Topp Twins, Footnote Dance Company, and the list goes on.

In 2019 the traditional biennial festival underwent a contemporary makeover, evolving into four unique festivals. The first festival of its kind in New Zealand to present a series of niche festivals, the new structure has kept Taranaki at the forefront of the arts scene, and more alive with the arts than ever.

Taranaki Arts Festival in 2021 is looking for fresh ideas, artistic proposals, and performances from any individuals or companies.

If you think you have an act or work that fits the festival’s vision to be a world-class, dynamic, modern, and iconic arts festival enriching the lives of our people, we would love to hear from you.

Proposals: TAFT welcome submissions for new works or re-presentation of existing works. Our arts festivals are curated festivals, and we are looking to programme:

• Dance

• Theatre

• Cabaret

• Musical

• Comedy

2021 Festival DATES:

Right Royal Cabaret Festival

29 July - 01 Aug 2021

RESET Arts Festival

4-14 Nov 2021

To apply head to www.taft.co.nz

Watch this video message about applying from our Artists Director, Emere Wano click HERE >>

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL GIRLS ROCK! TĀMAKI MAKAURAU!

Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau is over for another year and a fantastic time was had!

For 2021, Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau partnered with SAE Creative Media Institute Auckland for the first time, holding the programme at their SAE Parnell campus, and allowing them to access their state of the art recording studios and equipment.

This gave the girls the opportunity to launch their new electronic music stream, giving the campers the chance to learn new skills in electronic music production and arrangement. Listening back to the electronic bands' performances at the Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau 2021 Showcase, I'm sure you'll agree that it's been a great success.

You can rewatch the livestream of the showcase here.

Here's what some of our campers had to say about this year's Girls Rock! Tāmaki Makaurau:

“you meet so many new friends and have a whole new experience of playing with people and creating music with everyone.”
- Fran (15)

“So this year I did the electronic music stream, and that was probably my favourite part because it’s so different and it’s so new. I’ve done a bit of work on Logic before but this was just a whole other level of amazing stuff which was really cool. And also working with my band mates has been one of the biggest highlights of Girls Rock! - being able to communicate with other people who love music and that’s one of my favourite parts about Girls Rock for me.”
- Evie (14)

“It’s so good and I’ll totally do it again next year, and the year after until I can’t do it anymore. The people are so amazing and the music is great, the community is wonderful - it’s just so much fun!”
- Shiray (15)

The kaupapa of Girls Rock! is to empower young women, transgender and gender non-conforming youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space.

As a community organisation, we're extremely grateful for the support we receive from people like you. We simply couldn't operate without it.

If you'd like to show off your support of Girls Rock! Aotearoa, you can do it with one of our groovy tote bags. Made of high-quality 100% cotton canvas, they're perfect for carrying records, musical accessories and implements for overthrowing the patriarchy. Check out the totes on Bandcamp.