2013 Smokefreerockquest - Bay of Plenty Region Final Results

2013 SMOKEFREEROCKQUEST - 25 YEARS OF KIWI MUSIC SUCCESS

Bay of Plenty Region Final Results

It was a big night for vocals as folk-pop band The Incline and soloist SamIAM were crowned this year’s Bay of Plenty winners of Smokefreerockquest.

The four piece group from Mt Maunganui College, Tauranga Boys’ and Tauranga Girls’ Colleges formed the band especially for the competition this year. The Incline’s drummer, Cody Mitchell says that it was their musicality and vocal performance that made them stand out for the judges

“We had a jazz teacher so our songs have tight, unexpected stops… and lots of harmonies” he says. “We were really enjoying ourselves up on stage.

The other members of The Incline are Leilani Taula (lead vocals), Alex Twidle (acoustic guitar and backing vocals), and Daniel Kulasingham (bass and backing vocals)

The band also took home the Lowdown Best Song award, winning $100 dollars cash.

Teaching herself to beatbox last year paid off for Sammie Dudley, who performs as SamIAM. Sammie is from Mt Maunganui College and she believes her beatboxing gave her performance an edge

“Every performer has to have a wow factor and beatboxing is the thing I put in,” she says. “I really like to engage the audience as I play.

Sammie also won the Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship, judged on the performances of all girls from both the band and solo/duo categories.

Second place in the band category went to RPM from Mt Maunganui College and Tauranga Boys’ College, made up of Jacob Nicholas (lead vocals and electric guitar), Cormac Seymour (lead guitar), Ben Guernier (bass), and Rory Priest (drums).

These three 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 Bay of Plenty 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 Sunday night were:

Third placed band, winning musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: Earth Won from Whakatane High School

APRA Lyric Award: “Shout” by Jacob Nicholas of RPM, from Mt Maunganui College

Lowdown Best Song: The Incline from Mt Maunganui College, Tauranga Boys’ & Tauranga Girls’ Colleges

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:

Cameron Downey (lead guitarist) of Evolution Of Execution, from Mt Maunganui College

Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship: Sammie Dudley (SamIAM), vocals and guitar, from Mt Maunganui College

Skinny Mobile People’s Choice voted by text: Zuhana from Katikati 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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