Smokefreerockquest 2017 – Nelson finals results Friday 19 May
They’ve only been together for three months but Ivasa from Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls, took out the
Nelson regional final of Smokefreerockquest in front of a full house at the Theatre Royal on Friday night.(19 May)
Lead singer, Emma Common, says the plan was simple.
“We just decided to have fun on stage and not worry about anything. It’s so much better when you do have fun and own the
stage. Each individual [band member] is so amazing at what they do so it’s kind of helped us because we just look at
each other and know.”
The group bonded over a school performance of Macbeth, where they were initially asked to contribute an instrumental
piece. Emma was a Macbeth witch who added a few lyrics, and the decision to form the band and enter Smokefreerockquest
quickly followed.
The band played two songs, Emma described one as ‘alternative’ and the other as ‘pure funk’.
The other members of Ivasa are, Devon Brassfield (drummer, 17), Sidney Barron (keyboard, 15), Luke Wilkes (electric
guitar, 15), Buda Szerelem-Tolnay (bass, 17) and Toby Brown (bass, 18).
So Far from Nayland College placed second; the band members are Sam White (bass, 17), Reece Milton (electric guitar,
16), Harry Stocker (vocals, electric guitar, 16), Carmen Puklowski (drummer, 17) and Isaac Stewart (keyboard, 16).
These two bands win musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and their suppliers. They now submit 15 minutes of
their best material for selection as national finalists; along with Brooklyn Scott from Garin College and Lucid Laughs
(Dayla Schmutzer-Ward and Delilah Botham) from Waimea and Nayland Colleges who placed first and second in the Nelson
solo-duo section announced at the regional heats last weekend.
Founder and director Pete Rainey said from here on the Nelson finalists would have to be well organised and work hard to
make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.
“They have to submit video footage of their original music that will be judged in August as we lead up to the national
final,” he said. “This process not only demands musical ability and creativity, they also learn to work together as a
group and to develop the organisation and promotional skills they’ll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music
scene.”
The full list of awards made on Saturday was:
Band 1st: Ivasa, Nelson College & Nelson College for Girls
Band 2nd: So Far, Nayland College
Band 3rd: RELM, Waimea College
Solo/Duo 1st (announced at heats): Brooklyn Scott, Garin College
Solo/Duo 2nd (announced at heats): Lucid Laughs (Dayla Schmutzer-Ward and Delilah Botham) from Waimea and Nayland
Colleges
APRA Lyric Award: Reece Milton, So Far, Nayland College
Lowdown Best Song: Time Machine, by The People’s Jury, Nelson College, Nayland College & Nelson Intermediate
The Mainz Musicianship Award: Luke Wilkes, from Ivasa, Nelson College
Smokefree Vocals Award: Estella Romagnoli, from Equinox, Nelson College for Girls
People’s Choice voted by text: Fret 24 from Nayland College and Nelson College
Nelson Youth Council Award for Crowd Engagement: Deadbeat Express, Waimea College.
The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats run from May 12 until July 7, with the top
regional bands and solo/duos submitting video footage for selection to play off at the Smokefree Pacifica Beats national
final on Friday September 1 at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest national
final on Saturday September 2.
Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that
includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $16,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package’ a ‘Decent Exposure’
campaign on The Edge TV, a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends. There is also the MAINZ (Music and
Audio Institute of New Zealand) Scholarship for Outstanding Musicianship, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right
Association) Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award, Smokefree Vocals Award, and the People’s Choice voted by text
with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.
Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest over its 28-year history include Broods, Leroy Clampitt, Kimbra, Aaradhna,
Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Joel Little, Tiny Ruins, Marlon Williams, Brooke Fraser, Anika
Moa, Kora, Thomston, Midnight Youth, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Devilskin, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga, and The
Naked and Famous; Smokefree Pacifica Beats standout successes include Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever
have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.
Ends