2013 Smokefreerockquest - Central Otago Final Results

2013 Smokefreerockquest - 25 Years of Kiwi Music Success - Central Otago Final Results

The temperature was below zero outside but there was plenty of heat generated in the Queenstown Memorial Hall on Friday night at this year’s Central Otago Smokefreerockquest final.

The five piece band Mainstreet from Mt Aspiring College took the honours in front of an enthusiast crowd. Lead guitarist, Caleb Nicol describes the band’s style and performance as ‘very rocky’.

“We really focussed on our stage presence,” he said. ‘We tried to use up as much of the stage as possible and encouraged the audience to really get amongst it.”

Although the band only got together to be part of Smokefreerockquest they are all in the senior music class at school: “We each have different styles but we met in the middle to write the songs and spent hours and hours practicing in the music room - and every weekend.”

The other members of the band are Ella Glynn (vocals) Connor Ceci (guitar) Jacob Banks (drums) and Sam Hadida (bass).

Second place in the band category went to Fire Eyed Society, also from Mt Aspiring College and made up of Elliot Steven (bass), Conor Rutherford (guitar), Jack Reaney (drums).

First place in the solo/duo category went to John Manulea from Wakatipu High School; with Isabella Reid and Lucy Nichol from Wakatipu High School, performing as Lucy and Izzy, coming second.

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 28 September.

Founder and director Glenn Common said from here on the Central Otago 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 was:

Band 1st place: Mainstreet, Mt Aspiring Colleg

Solo/Duo 1st place: John Manulea, Wakatipu High Schoo

Band 2nd place: Fire Eyed Society, Mt Aspiring Colleg

Solo/Duo 2nd place: Lucy and Izzy from Wakatipu High School, Isabella Reid and Lucy Nichol

Band 3rd place: Euphroric Division, Wakatipu High Schoo

Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship: Connor Thomas Moore from Oddity, Mt Aspiring College.

APRA Lyric Award: Conor Rutherford from Fire Eyed Society, Mt Aspiring College

Lowdown Best Song: Second song from Oddity, Mt Aspiring College

The Mainz Musicianship Award: Sam Maxwell, (bass) Euphoric Division from Wakatipu High School

Skinny Mobile People’s Choice: West Groove Company, Cromwell 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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