Taite Music Prize 2018 nominations are now open

Independent Music NZ announce the Taite Music Prize 2018 nominations
are now open

Nominations close 5.00pm on 6th February 2018.

The Taite Music Prize highlights outstanding New Zealand albums released in the past year. The award is open to all genres of music and judged on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label.

IMNZ General Manager, Dylan Pellett says, "The award acknowledges originality and musicianship rather than commercial success. An album could conceivably win the Taite Music Prize that has sold five copies because the award is independent of radio play or sales figures, and open to every genre. It’s been great to see the growing interest in the winning artists amongst industry circles overseas - it serves as a positive indicator for our healthy creative sector.”

The eponym for the awards is the late Dylan Taite, one of the New Zealand’s most respected TV music journalists. He became known for his Liverpudlian wry wit and his unabashed chutzpah-love of music. Dylan’s unique style captured some rare interviews over the decades. Interviews with The Sex Pistols, Deep Purple, and the career-defining Bob Marley are still referenced today.

Dylan’s son, John Taite comments, “The Taite Music Prize is designed to reward those curious souls brave enough to take musical risks. Their experimentation gives others the confidence to try something new. That was what Dad stood for. Dylan was always focused on talent. ...whether that talent was destined for popular success didn't really interest him so much."

Any New Zealand album released during the calendar year of 2017 is eligible for nomination for the Taite Music Prize 2018. The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000, supplied by Recorded Music NZ. Red Bull Studios Auckland also offers the winner free recording time at their facilities and a year’s supply of products.
2017 winners Street Chant have used their prize to reignite hope for the new album. Band member Emily Edrosa says, “ “ It was a privilege to win the Taite award in 2017. It felt especially great after a notably arduous recording process. We are very proud and so are our families! The prize has meant maybe the third Street Chant album will see the light of day yet, and the years supply of Coronas ran out last week. ”

All current members of IMNZ vote to produce the shortlisted finalist albums. An independent panel debates and scrutinises the shortlisted albums to decide the winner. That panel comprises musicians, journalists and music industry professionals with a wide variety of different professional backgrounds and personal tastes.

The announcement of the winner will happen in Auckland at The Civic's Wintergarden on 17th April 2018.

The ceremony also includes the award presentation of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record. This award acknowledges one New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. These records, whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album, have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history.

Last year’s panel gave the nod to the The Clean’s ‘Boodle Boodle Boodle’ recording as one of NZ’s classic records. Robert Scott from The Clean reflects,“The Taite music award means a lot to The Clean. Dylan had wonderful taste in music. We are very proud to be amongst it.”
Returning for 2018 is the Auckland Live - Best Independent Debut award celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2000 cash prize plus a live performance slot programmed at Auckland Live.

Last year’s inaugural winner was Merk with the recording ‘Swordfish’. " When you get positive feedback for your art, especially from your peers in the industry who you respect heaps, it's really special. And the prize money was SO helpful in getting my band and I overseas playing shows. I'm very thankful for the Taite Awards!"

For more detail on specific eligibility and nomination forms please visit: http://www.indies.co.nz.

Nominations close 5.00pm on 6th February 2018.
The Taite Music Prize
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air / The Taite Family
Event Partners: Auckland Live
Supporting Partners: NZ Music Commission / APRA AMCOS / Media Arts Lawyers / Merlin /
Red Bull Studios Auckland / Commotion Ltd. / McCarthy Design
Media Partners: 95bFM
Charity Partners: The NZ Music Foundation

Previous winners of The Taite Prize:
2010 - Lawrence Arabia Chant Darling (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 - Ladi6 - The Liberation Of (What? Music)
2012 - Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)
2013 – SJD - Elastic Wasteland (Round Trip Mars)
2014 – Lorde - Pure Heroine (Universal Music NZ)
2015 – Jakob – Sines (Shoot The Freak)
2016 – Silicon - Personal Computer (Weird World/Domino Recordings)
2017 - Street Chant - Hauora (Arch Hill Recordings)

Previous Winners of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record:
2013 – Gordons – Gordons (Flying Nun)
2014 – Various Artists – AK79 (Ripper Records)
2015 – Herbs – What’s Be Happen? (Warrior Records)
2016 – Upper Hutt Posse – E Tū (Jayrem Records)
2017 - The Clean - Boodle Boodle Boodle (Flying Nun)

Previous Winners of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut:
2017 - Merk - Swordfish (self released)

Dylan Taite online:

http://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/dylan-taite
https://www.nzonscreen.com/person/dylan-taite

Interview - Darcy Clay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZLpK-ZDeJ8&list=RDCZLpK-ZDeJ8&t=13
RIP from ONE and TV3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4LcZbJt6zw
Interview - Bob Marley Doco - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XI3WKssghk
Interview - Go West (1980) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcR0CGEpcdo
Interview - Deep Purple - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WPZFJ1E2rc (1975)
NZ Herald Obituary: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=3097762

NZ ON SCREEN LINKS:
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/radio-with-pictures-the-clash-1982
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/radio-with-pictures-sweetwaters-1980
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/top-half-excerpts-1989 (Warratahs clip)
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/kaleidoscope-decade-of-the-enz-1983
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/nightline-20th-anniversary-episode-2010 (clip 3)
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/holmes-johnny-the-maori-cowboy-cooper-1990

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