2013 Smokefreerockquest - Manawatu Region Final Results

2013 Smokefreerockquest – 25 Years of Kiwi Music Success

Manawatu Region Final Results

The Jefferys from Freyberg High School and I Was Told There’d Be Cake from Tararua College took the honours at the Regent Theatre on Friday night as this year’s Manawatu winners of Smokefreerockquest.

The Jefferys formed just this year, but Jake Braid (lead guitar and vocals), David McGee (bass) and Josh Finegan (drums) have been in other bands, with Jake playing in the band that won the Manawatu regional final last year.

Jake says it was the stage presence of the indie-funk trio that won the night for them.

“We were really confident and being in costume (as a Mexican, a Samurai and an anime character) helped us to loosen up and get the crowd into it a bit more.”

Second placed band was another three piece, Indecisive from Waiopehu College, made up of Nathan Gajes-Harding (bass), Sean Paulse (lead guitar) and Daniel Smith (drums).

The winner of this year’s new section for solo/duos was I Was Told There’d Be Cake, featuring year 12 students Benjamin O'Hagan and Fay Morris, both on acoustic guitar. Their name started out as a joke, but they now have a song about zombies and cake.

Ben says he started playing guitar in year 8 and has ‘played every day since’; while Fay has been playing for three years. He says they write the songs together when one of them has something on their mind: “Music is really important to us and has helped us through some dark times.”

Second place in the solo/duo section went to keyboard player and singer Annie Webster from Freyburg High School.

These top four acts win musical gear from associate sponsors NZ Rockshops, and the opportunity to gain selection for the national final in Auckland on Saturday 28 September.

Founder and director Glenn Common said from here on the Manawatu finalists would have to work hard and draw on their creativity to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.

“They now send in videos of their original music that will be judged in August as we lead up to the national final,” he said. “This process demands creativity and musical ability, as well as learning to work together as a group and developing the organisation skills they’ll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene.”

The full list of awards made on Friday night is:

Band 1st place: The Jefferys from Freyberg High

Solo/Duo 1st place: I Was Told There’d Be Cake from Tararua

Band 2nd Place: Indecisive, Waiopehu College

Solo/Duo 2nd Place: Annie Webster, Freyburg High School

Band 3rd Place: Cool Like Harold, Palmerston North Boys High

APRA Lyric Award: Peyton Morete, Te Horo School (Otaki) for ‘Back and Forth’

Lowdown Best Song: I Was Told There’d Be Cake, Tararua College

The Mainz Musicianship Award with the opportunity of a $4500 tuition scholarship: Rory Robinson, lead guitar and vocals from Body Burner, Awatapu College

Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship: Zaya Hunter, the drummer from Hot Property, Fielding High School

Skinny Mobile People’s Choice voted by text:  66 Queens, Horowhenua College

The Stomach recording award: Hot Property, Fielding High School

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and the solo/duo winners, that include musical gear to a total value of $13,000 from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers, inclusion on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, radio promotional support, and video play on youth music channel FOUR. There is also the MAINZ Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, the APRA Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award, the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award and the Skinny Mobile People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the SFRQ National final.

Finalist judging process: Two bands from each of 23 regional finals send in their videos for selection as one of the six bands to play off in the national final. Judging is done from a pool of 50-60 bands that also includes Rockshop Second Chance, an opening for established bands (playing regular gigs) who don’t feel they played their best on the night. The top two solo/duos from each region go through the same process.

More info at sfrq.co.nz or facebook.com/thesfrq

ENDS

© Scoop Media