DIY ethic sees Otago trio scoop top Folk Award

SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2009.

News release folk - 1

January 25, 2009

DIY ethic sees Otago trio scoop top Folk Award

An unsigned all-women three-piece from Dunedin has won the Tui for Best Folk Music Album of 2008.

Delgirl's self-released debut album 'Two, Maybe Three, Days Ride' was awarded the Tui at the Auckland Folk Festival in Kumeu tonight.

The acoustic group describes its sound as "skiffily, folky, country, jazzy, bluesy roots music with a Pacific edge bordering a swamp", and creates harmonies built around the double bass, guitar, ukuleles, banjo, snare and percussion.

Delgirl is made up of Deirdre Newall, Erin Morton and Lynn Vare. The trio formed eight years ago and released its debut album in November 2007.

The track 'Ride' from the album has been selected by NZ Trade & Enterprise to feature on a music placement export disc entitled 'New Zealand-New Music' which is distributed to music supervisors in TV and film worldwide.

The other finalists were Cardrona-based singer-songwriter Martin Curtis for 'Sea To Summit' and the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band with 'Way Down South'.

Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) CEO Campbell Smith says: "Folk music is in good health in New Zealand. Delgirl's album is highly deserving of a Tui - and another fine example of how some of this country's best music and talent can do-it-themselves to create amazing work.

"Dunedin has a history of fine musicians, and Delgirl shows that this talent and passion is alive across a range of genres."

The Best Folk Album award is part of the New Zealand Music Awards and it is the fifth year it has been presented at the Auckland Folk Festival. The festival is currently in its 35th year, and its 18th year at the Kumeu Showgrounds. Information about the event is available at www.aucklandfolkfestival.co.nz

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Tui for Best Folk Album 2008 is for recordings released between 16 November 2007 and 15 November 2008. The Folk category was introduced to the awards in 1984.

Recent previous winners of the Tui for Best Folk Album

* 2005 - Lorina Harding for the album 'Clean Break' * 2006 - Ben the Hoose (Kenny Ritch and Bob McNeill) for 'The Little Cascade' * 2007 - Phil Garland for his 18th album 'Southern Odyssey'.

Or refer to www.nzmusicawards (see history section).

Delgirl: www.delgirl.co.nz

ENDS

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