Record haul for Aaradhna - Pacific Music Awards

News release                                                                                                            
30 May 2013

Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards Winners Announced

Record haul for Aaradhna

Porirua songstress Aaradhna has made a clean sweep at tonight’s Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards winning all five categories she was a finalist in as well as the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award.

The haul represents the most awards won in a night by any single artist in the nine-year history of the Pacific Music Awards and comes off the back of her highly acclaimed album ‘Treble & Reverb’ released in November 2012.

Aaradhna’s domination of the awards was fitting on a night themed around recognising Pacific women.

Aaradhna’s wins are:
1.     Nautilus Foundation Best Pacific Female Artist
2.     Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist
3.     APRA Best Pacific Song – ‘Wake Up’
4.     NZ On Air Best Pacific Video – ‘Lorena Bobbit’, director Tom Gould
5.     Pasefika Proud Best Pacific Music Album
6.     NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award – ‘Wake Up’

‘Treble & Reverb’ was entirely written by Aaradhna and produced by P-Money and Evan Short. Its success comes after an almost four-year break from recording her sophomore album, ‘Sweet Soul Music’.

Hit single ‘Wake Up’ spent three weeks at number one in the New Zealand Singles charts in November and early December 2012. Aaradhna says the track is a plea to herself to get back into the music industry.

“At the time I was listening to Amy Winehouse,” she says. “I used to go to her Back to Black album; I’d repeat it all day because I connected with all her music.

“The thing I liked about it was that she didn’t care about what other people said, and she really spoke her mind…that’s what I wanted to do, I wanted to make music that I could really say what I wanted to say.

“I am so humbled and honoured to have been recognised by the Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards for doing something which I love,” she says.

The only other artist to win multiple awards was Wellington’s Swiss. He took home NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist and the Auckland Council People’s Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist for his debut EP ‘Slow Wind’.

Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards Trust chairperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says the awards are a celebration of Pacific music and culture. 

“This year we welcome Pasefika Proud to the family and thank them for their support of Pacific music and culture. The awards themselves are a great example of Pacific unity and we acknowledge all those who were nominated, performed or took part in some away in the evening.”

RIANZ chief executive Chris Caddick says; “The Pacific Music Awards showcase a burgeoning musical community that RIANZ is proud to support with a Tui for Best Pacific Music Album. Congratulations to the PMA Trust for a successful event and especially to the 2013 award winners.”

Other winners include:
·         Radio 531pi Best Pacific Group – Tomorrow People – ‘One’
·         Tagata Pasifika Best Pacific Language – Vaniah Toloa – ‘Tofi O Tamatane’
·         Phillip Fuemana Award, Most Promising Artist – Cilla
·         Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award – Mavis Rivers

The Tangaroa College Niuean Group opened the night, with an amazing welcome, which was also very stirring tribute to the late Tom Etuata. The audience was also treated to live performances by both established and rising Pacific music stars including finalists The Hypnotics, Swiss, Vaniah Toloa and Tomorrow People along with Bella Moore and Joel Amosa. There was also a tribute to Lifetime Achievement recipient Mavis Rivers under the direction of Lance Su’a.

‘90s girl group Ma-V-Elle turned back the clock with a surprise performance at the awards - the first time they’ve performed together as a group in 14 years. The performance served as a re-launch for the trio who are now set to work on new material together.

The ninth annual Pasefika Proud Pacific Music Awards were announced at Manukau City’s Vodafone Events Centre to celebrate Pacific music and artists, promote excellence in Pacific music and encourage young Pacific musicians to aim high.

Issued for the Pacific Music Awards Trust by Pead PR

ENDS

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