2013 Smokefreerockquest - Rotorua Region Final Results

2013 SMOKEFREEROCKQUEST - 25 YEARS OF KIWI MUSIC SUCCESS

Rotorua Region Final Results

A four piece metal band and an acoustic duo took the honours at Taupo’s Great Lake Centre in front of a crowd of 450, as this year’s Rotorua region winners of Smokefreerockquest.

Aftershock from Western Heights High School and John Paul College went one up from second place last year to win the band section. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Lukas Wharekura, said it was their stage presence and energy that set them apart.

“We really went for it in our performance… getting up on the drum risers and playing each other’s guitars… just working the crowd.”

Aftershock have been playing together for six years, placing in the national top 20 last year. The other members are Chris Everest (lead guitar), Shaun Loper (bass) and Oliver Prendergast (drums).

Acoustic duo Title, made up of Ngamoe Potaka-Dewes and Sonya Katipa from Rotorua Girls' High School, won the solo/duo section. The girls have been performing together for about two and a half years and are very appreciative of the separate solo/duo category this year.

“I used to think you are more likely to get further in a band, but sometimes it feels like they overshadow you,” Ngamoe says. “It’s really cool to be in a duo - the simple acoustic harmonies, and to be heard without a drum kit or electric guitar behind you.”

Second place in the band category went to last year’s national finalists, A Bit Nigel from Taupo-nui-a-Tia College and Rotorua Boys’ High School, made up of Hamish Nixon (lead vocals, guitar and synth), Sam Marshall (Bass, synth), and Manawa Veitayaki (drums and backing vocals).

Ellie Redmond from Taupo-nui-a-Tia College placed second in the solo/duo category, as well as winning the Skinny People’s Choice Award voted by text.

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

Founder and director Glenn Common said from here on the Rotorua 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.”

Other awards made on Saturday night were:

Third placed band, winning musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: Out Of Tunar from Western Heights High School

APRA Lyric Award: Ngamoe Potaka-Dewes of Title, from Rotorua Girls' High School

Lowdown Best Song: Zenith from Rotorua Lakes High School

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 final: Oliver Prendergast of Aftershock, from Western Heights High

Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship: Ngamoe Potaka-Dewes of Title, from Rotorua Girls’ High School

Skinny Mobile People’s Choice voted by text: Ellie Redmond from Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

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

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