Press release For immediate release
The 2011 Taite Music Prize – announcing the finalists
After much deliberation and more than a few considered discussions, the finalists for the second Taite Music Prize have
been decided. Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country's most highly respected music journalists, the Taite
Music Prize has been established to champion the finest release by a New Zealand artist or group, specifically focusing
on the artistic merit and creative excellence of one album released in the previous calendar year. Acknowledging
creativity and musicianship regardless of sales figures or genre, it is the first of its kind in New Zealand. This
year’s nominees, from a lengthy list submitted by record labels both independent and major from right across the
country, are:
Dudley Benson - Forest: Songs by Hirini Melbourne (Golden Retriever Records) Connan Mockasin - Please Turn Me Into the
Snat (Self Released) Julia Deans - Modern Fables (Tardus Music) Die! Die! Die! - Form (Flying Nun) Ladi6 - The
Liberation Of (What? Music) The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You (Somewhat Damaged) The Phoenix Foundation
- Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation) Street Chant - Means (Arch Hill Recordings)
The judging panel to determine the eight finalists was made up of 29 music media/industry specialists plus all 75
members of Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ). There will be a second round of judging by a selected music panel to
decide the eventual winner.
Ben Howe, Business Development Manager at IMNZ says, “There were 73 nominated albums and they were of a very high
standard. The finalists show an embarrassment of riches. It will take some serious work for the music panel to decide a
winner”.
The award winner will be announced on the 20th of April at an industry-only event at Sale St bar in Auckland’s Freeman’s
Bay. Judge – and son of Dylan Taite – John Taite will be a special guest on the night, and the winner of the Inaugural
Taite Music Prize, Lawrence Arabia, will be giving a special performance.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as they wish. Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) and PPNZ
Music Licensing (PPNZ) are the principal music industry supporters of the Taite Music Prize in conjunction with the
Taite family.
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