SmokeFree RockQuest 2015 - Nelson final results

SmokeFree RockQuest 2015 - Nelson final results

There were tears of joy from Tetra when they were crowned this year’s Nelson winners of Smokefreerockquest, held at the Theatre Royal on Friday night.

The four-piece Nelson College for Girls group were among eleven of the region’s top bands vying for the title, drawing a sold-out crowd of 500. Vocalist and cellist, Madi Fulton Buckle, says it was their sound that set them apart from the other bands.

“Coming into the competition we knew our sound was pretty unique and I think that’s a really big part of it,” she says. “You don’t want to be just another band. I also think our voices sound quite nice together, so that would have helped.”

Tetra guitarist and vocalist, Lara Cammock, said it was thanks to their music teacher, Jared Altments, that they formed and entered Smokefreerockquest.

“It started when we were just doing a cover for school and Mr Altments encouraged us to try writing our own songs and now here we are.”

The other members of Tetra are Emma Common (keyboard and vocals) and Carmen Puklowski (cajon).

Second place in the band category went to Future Class, made up of Garin College students Abbey Hahn (lead vocals), Tom Schultz (synthesizer), Elizabeth Mitchell (keyboard and synthesizer) and Michael Whittaker (drums).

Gemma Christall, also from Nelson College for Girls, was placed first in the solo/duo section. Performing on her own this year, the singer/pianist is no stranger to the stage. She says that she has learnt a lot from past experience.

“Being the lead singer in a band for the previous two Smokefreerockquests has really helped to give me confidence and stage presence that I can now apply as a soloist, but I've been doing singing concerts for family and friends long before that,” she says.

Zeal, made up of Garin College’s Livvy Schepers (guitar and vocals) and Liani Paaka (lead vocals) placed second in the solo/duo category.

These four acts win musical gear from associate sponsors NZ Rockshops, and the opportunity to gain selection for the national final at Auckland’s Raye Freedman Centre on Friday 11 September.

Smokefreerockquest Founder and director Pete Rainey says there are more bands than ever before reaching the high standard required from national finalists.

“This means that real dedication is required to achieve the ‘stand out quality’ that the judges will be looking for,” he said. “They have to capture 15 minutes of their original material on video in a process that demands creativity and musical ability, being able to work together as a group and having good organisational skills. What separates them out is perseverance – industry success seldom happens overnight.”

The full list of awards made on Friday night was:

Band 1st place: Tetra - Nelson College For Girls

Band 2nd place: Future Class - Garin College

Solo/Duo 1st place: Gemma Christall - Nelson College For Girls

Solo/Duo 2nd place: Zeal - Garin College

Band 3rd place: Toxic Vain - Waimea College

APRA Lyric Award: Nothing At All by Zeal - Garin College

Lowdown Best Song: Toxic Vain - Waimea College

Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship: Enya Sharp (bass) from Coastal - Nelson College for Girls

People’s Choice voted by text: Coastal - Nelson College For Girls

MAINZ musicianship award with the opportunity to win a $4000 MAINZ scholarship: Sang Pi Liam (lead guitar) from Masterpiece - Nelson College

Nelson Youth Council Audience Participation Award: Turgid - Nayland College

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and the solo/duo winners that include $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package’ a ‘Decent Exposure’ campaign on FOUR, a photo shoot with Thievery Studio, a branding package from Imaginary Friends and the Unleashed Travel ambassador award – a seven day trip to Fiji.

There is also the MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) Scholarship for Outstanding Musicianship, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award and the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award. The People’s Choice award is voted by text with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.

Finalist judging process: Two bands from each of the 24 regional finals submit video footage 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, and three of them will go ahead to the national final.

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

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