Bay of Plenty Smokefreerockquest 2011 results

Media Release Bay of Plenty Smokefreerockquest 2011 results

A three-piece band from Whakatane High School won the 2011 Smokefreerockquest at the Baycourt Theatre on Saturday night.

It was Attic Sky's fourth time in the contest and bass player and vocalist Riley Brightwell thinks they stood out for the judges with their high energy punk-melodic sound.

“We are really into our energy – we jump around lots,” he said, “and the way we interlay our melodies also helped us to sound different. “

Attic Sky’s other members are Jake Nicholas (guitar) and Ollie Butler (drums).

Second place went to ska band Eyes Of May from Tauranga Boys' College, made up of Blair Shepherd,
Laurence Brown, Isaac Andrew, Reuben Griffin, Aaron Baxendine, Adam Spedding and Brayden Jeffrey.
Eyes of May also won the Lowdown Best Song Award.

These top two bands win musical gear from NZ Rockshops and go on to compete for one of six national finalist spots in this year’s Smokefreerockquest.

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

“The bands to play off at the national final in September are chosen from DVDs of their own music,” Common said. “This means they’ll need to work together as a group and develop the skills that will turn their talent into success.”

The six national finalists will be selected from a pool made up of first and second place-getters from each of the 27 regional finals, and bands from Rockshop Second Chance, an opportunity for established bands who feel they didn’t play at their best on the night. Last year’s record of 800 entrants has already been exceeded, with more entries to come as Christchurch bands have been given an extended deadline.

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 national final will 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 Women’s Musicianship Award.

Other regional awards made on Saturday night:
Third place winning musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: R.P.M from Mt Maunganui College and Tauranga Boys’ 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: Rory Priest, drummer from R.P.M, from Mt Maunganui College.
The APRA Lyric Writer’s Award: Jake Nicholas, R.P.M, from Mt Maunganui College.
Smokefree People’s Choice voted by text on the night: OI, Otumoetai Intermediate.
Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship: Abigail Smith, from Jessie & Abbie, Tauranga Girls' College.

ENDS

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