Smokefreerockquest 2011 Nelson results

Smokefreerockquest 2011 Nelson results

Three new band members, two strong songs and a shift in their name helped The Peasants from Garin College win first place for the second year in a row at the 2011 Smokefreerockquest Nelson regional final on Saturday night.

Formerly known as The Peasants of Eden, the seven-piece were a popular choice with the crowd of around 700 at the Trafalgar Centre. Lead singer Georgia Nott believes the experience they gained from coming second at the Smokefreerockquest national finals last year really enhanced their performance skills.

³We learned that you¹ve got to let loose on stage and look like you are having a good time,² she says. ³I think this year we took more risks, as well as working really well as a group.²

The Peasants also acknowledge the support of their music teacher, Kyle Proffit: ³He has been a great help - we pretty much hang off his every word.²

The new ŒPeasants¹ this year are Holly Tippler, Rupert Wockner and Clark Hinton. They joined Georgia Nott, Abbey Phillips, Chris Philips, and Joseph Corban-Banks.

Second place at the SFRQ regional event went to Alex, guitarist Alex Farrell-Davey backed by Ed Palmer on double bass, from Nelson College.

These top two bands win musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers and go on to compete for one of six finalist spots in this year¹s Smokefreerockquest.

Rockquest Promotions Founders and Directors Glenn Common and Pete Rainey said from here on the Nelson finalists would have to work hard and draw on their creativity to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.

³The bands to play off at the national final in September are chosen from DVDs of their own music,² Common said. ³They need the ability to work together as a group on their DVD and develop the skills that will turn their talent into success.²

The six national finalists will be selected from a pool made up of first and second place-getters from each of the 25 regional finals, and bands from Rockshop Second Chance - an opportunity for established bands who feel they didn¹t play at their best on the night.

In term three Smokefreerockquest and the NZ Music Commission, with funding from the Ministry of Education, will partner the regional winner with a mentor band - a band that is some years ahead and has first hand knowledge of the industry.

The top regional bands go on to the national final, to be held this year in the new 5000-seat Claudelands Arena in Hamilton on 17 September. The prize package is designed as a big helping hand into the music industry. It includes a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth $10,000, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, musical gear to the value of $10,000 from NZ Rockshops, recording time at York St Studio, 1000 single CDs produced by Forge Media, and radio and TV play of single. There is also the MAINZ Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, the APRA Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award and the Smokefree Women¹s Musicianship Award.

In this year¹s regional Smokefreerockquest all entrants got the real life experience of rock stardom - performing on the big stage in the Trafalgar Centre. There were 20 entrants who performed in the afternoon, and the eight called back for the evening final were: The Peasants Garin College Alex Nelson College What Lies Here Nayland College / Golden Bay High School Crossfire Nayland College / Nelson College Maisie Blackwood Nelson College for Girls The Black Spots Golden Bay High School Marley Richards Nayland College Days of Rain Waimea College

Other regional awards made on Saturday night were:

Third place, winning musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: What Lies Here, Nayland College / Golden Bay High School

Smokefree People¹s Choice: Days of Rain, Waimea College

The Mainz Musicianship Award with the opportunity to be selected for the $4500 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national finals: Marley Richards, Nayland College

The APRA Lyric Writer¹s Award judged from lyrics submitted during the afternoon playoff: Cally Sharpe from Cadence and the Consequence, ³Smart kids can dance², Nayland College

Smokefree Award For Women¹s Musicianship: Alex Hargreaves, Crossfire, Nayland College

To find out more about Smokefreerockquest 2011, visit the official website sfrq.co.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media