Countdown To Stardom Begins For MTV Finalists

Media release
Countdown To Stardom Begins For MTV Kickstart Finalists

AUCKLAND, MAY 15, 2008: The auditions are done and the five finalists are now gearing up for a music battle to win a kick start into the music industry. The overall national winner will be announced at a concert in Auckland on Friday May 30 and will take home a music package worth more than $210,000. Tickets to the final event are free and available by registering at www.mtv.co.nz.

The finalists are:
• Bear Cat from Auckland.
• Cause For Alliance from Auckland.
• Clap Clap Riot from Christchurch.
• Lydia Cole from Auckland.
• Trigger Theory from Tauranga.

Kickstart is an initiative set up by MTV Networks Australia and New Zealand to literally ‘kick start’ the career of a New Zealand artist or band by giving them all the tools necessary to break into the music industry. Now in its second year, MTV Kickstart rewards the winner with a music recording, single distribution deal, video grant, TV and radio airplay, publicity and travel package.

“The high calibre of talent entering the competition made it hard for the judges to select just five finalists,” says MTV Programming Scheduler Katherine Northover. “MTV relishes in giving up-and-coming musicians the opportunity to be exposed to a wider audience and help them take steps towards a promising music career.”

Kickstart attracted more than 200 entries from all over New Zealand, 32 of those entries were last week called to auditions in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. The finalists have been chosen by a panel of music industry judges including MTV Network executives, music industry representatives, and successful musicians and media such as P-Money and Mikey Havoc.
Judge and Blindspott singer Damien Alexander said: “The finalists are awesome… to choose just five wasn’t an easy task but I think we’ve got a great mix of genres and we’re all looking forward to seeing them perform live on May 30.”

The judges will choose the overall winner at the final event on May 30.

Free tickets!
Tickets to the final event are free and available by registering at www.mtv.co.nz. The five finalists will battle it out at a concert to be held at the Viaduct Harbour Marine Village, Shed 3, 135 Halsey St, Auckland.

Watch all the action
Viewers can catch all the action from the night in a one hour MTV Kickstart special to be broadcast on MTV on Sunday June 22 at 8pm.

Check out the finalists on Myspace:
Bear Cat
An Auckland-based pop trio comprising of friends Dan Trevarthen, Jocee Tuck and Romelli Rodriguez who describe their music as ‘panda-pop’. Their name comes from the literal Chinese translation for Panda of ‘bear’ and ‘cat’. www.myspace.com/bearcatbearcat.

Cause For Alliance
A five-piece metal group from Auckland. The group has embarked on several national tours since its debut gig in April 2007 http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=119689637

Clap Clap Riot
A four piece pop/rock/indie band hailing from Christchurch. The group has a well-deserved reputation for their infectious and high energy live performances.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=318194935

Lydia Cole
Folk singer, songwriter, guitarist and piano player Lydia Cole is based in Auckland. Her folk tunes are already earning her an audience and growing fan base on Myspace. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=40131650

Trigger Theory
The four-piece pop-punk band from Tauranga first formed in 2005. The group enjoys making its performances full of fun with heaps of sing-a-longs, clapping and dancing. http://www.myspace.com/xtriggerxtheoryx

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