2013 Smokefreerockquest - Manukau Final Results

2013 Smokefreerockquest - 25 Years of Kiwi Music Success - Manukau Final Results

It was a big night for Alfriston College as it claimed the top three placings at this year’s Manukau final of Smokefreerockquest, held at the Dream Centre on Saturday night – the last of the Auckland regional finals.

Four piece “groove-core” group, Persona Non Grata took the honours as this year’s Manukau winners. The band, which was formed especially for Smokefreerockquest consists of members Bailey Roiall (bass and vocals), Lance Latwer (drums), Andrew Cooksley (electric guitar) and Nathan Haliday (lead vocals). Bailey says the unexpected win came down to their energy and enthusiasm on stage.

“The other bands were amazing, we were not expecting to win,” he says. “I think our stage presence did it for us though. We went out there guns blazing and just owned it.”

Second place in the band category went to MarchIntoApril from Alfriston College, made up of Qualen Mathlay (lead vocals), Joshua Wrightham (vocals), Te Aroha Strickland (keyboard), Fini Hanfiro (bass) Khennade Matagi (drums), and Johann Ward (electric guitar). Johann also won the MAINZ Musicianship Award and the band took home The Lowdown Best Song Award.

These two 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 Manukau 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 Saturday night was:

Band 1st place: Persona Non Grata from Alfriston College   

Band 2nd place: MarchIntoApril from Alfriston College

Band 3rd place: Bradas from Alfriston College

APRA Lyric Award: Harry Jones of Shikharkum from Papatoetoe High School

Lowdown Best Song: March Into April from Alfriston College

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:

Johann Ward, electric guitarist of March Into April from Alfriston College

Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship:

Michaela Clark, bassist from Chronicles Of Mesa from Manurewa High School

Skinny Mobile People’s Choice voted by text:  Chronicles Of Mesa from Manurewa 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

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