Smokefreerockquest Nelson-Marlborough Results

Smokefreerockquest Nelson-Marlborough Final Results

Four cousins and a friend are in with a chance at kiwi music success after winning this year’s regional Smokefreerockquest title on Saturday night at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson.

First place in the regional final of the nationwide youth music competition went to five-piece band, Peasants of Eden from Garin College - the group are all related, except for the bass player, Jo Corban-Banks.

Guitarist Caleb Nott says the cousins play in a church band, but Peasants of Eden was formed just for smokefreerockquest. Their name came from a brainstorming session while driving back from Blenheim one day. Caleb says he thought their originality and stage presence made them stand out: “We had great support from the crowd, and our Aunty Therese made our outfits - she’s a legend.”

Peasants of Eden also won the Lowdown Best song award. Second place went to soloist Jordon Skipper from Queen Charlotte College.

The top two bands win musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers and go on to compete for one of eight finalist spots in this year’s Smokefreerockquest. They’re joined by Misguided Monster from Waimea College who won the Smokefree People’s Choice, selected by text vote at the event.

Rockquest Promotions Founders and Directors Glenn Common and Pete Rainey said from here on the Nelson finalists would need creativity and commitment to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.

“The bands to play off at the national final in September are chosen from DVDs of their own music,” Common said. “They have to work together as a group on their DVD and develop the skills that will help turn their talent into success.”

The eight national finalists will be selected from a pool of DVDs, made up of first and second place-getters from each of the 24 regional finals, plus the People’s Choice winner and bands from Rockshop Second Chance, which is an opening for established bands who feel they didn’t play at their best on the night.

In term three Smokefreerockquest and the NZ Music Commission, with funding from the Ministry of Education, will partner the regional winner with a mentor band - a band that is some years ahead and has first hand knowledge of the industry.

The Smokefreerockquest national final this year will be held in Hamilton, at Founders Theatre on September 11. Tickets will go on sale from Ticketek in August.

Prizes at the national final include a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth $10,000, musical gear to the value of $10,000 from NZ Rockshops, recording time at York St Studio, radio promotional support for a single, The Edge airplay award, with the opportunity to be played on The Edge, video play on youth music channel C4, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, a photo shoot sponsored by Schick and a promotional package from Myspace New Zealand. There is also The Mainz Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, The Apra Lyric Award, the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award and The Lowdown Best Song Award.

The other Nelson-Marlborough awards on Saturday night went to:

Third place winning musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: Remastered from Marlborough Boys’ College

The Mainz Musicianship Award with the opportunity to be selected for the $4500 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national finals: The keyboard player from Remastered, Fred Wiseman

The APRA Lyric Writer’s Award judged from lyrics submitted at the heats: Alex Farrell- Davey from Nelson College

Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship with a prize of $150: Sela Manu from Nelson College for Girls

The Lowdown Best Song Award, winning $100 cash: Peasants of Eden from Garin College

To find out more about Smokefreerockquest 2010, visit the official website www.sfrq.co.nz with additional info at www.myspace.com/smokefreerockquest

ENDS

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