A08 from Kamo High School took out the Northland regional final of Smokefreerockquest in front of an enthusiastic crowd
at Forum North on Saturday night.
Josh Burns (drums) says the year 12 school mates pulled their band together in April to enter Smokefreerockquest and
were ‘not expecting at all to win’.
“We were in shock for a good 10 seconds until we processed it,” he said. “I think it (the win) was because we’re quite
together - we really want to be a band, we had good rapport on stage and were really enjoying ourselves.”
The other members of A08 are Olivia Sutherland (vocals), Shayla Thomas (keyboard), Adam Roycroft (lead guitar), Maea
Shepherd (vocals) and Regan Edwards (bass).
Punk-hardcore two piece band Weevils from Rodney College placed second, with Asher Pirini on guitar and vocals and Jade
Zaia on drums. (Note - having a drummer puts them into the band category rather than solo-duo.)
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 Huia Shortland from Te Kapehu Whetu Teina and Mollie
Harvey from Rodney College who placed first and second in the Northland solo-duo section announced at the regional heats
in May.
Founder and director Pete Rainey said from here on the Northland 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 for Northland is:
Band 1st: A08, Kamo High School
Band 2nd: Weevils, Rodney College
Band 3rd: JKAz & DJ Teina, TKKM o Te Tonga o Hokianga
Smokefree Pacifica Beats Award (announced at heats): Barry Jubei and Te Rina Kahle from Whangaroa College
Solo/Duo 1st (announced at heats): Huia Shortland from Te Kapehu Whetu Teina
Solo/Duo 2nd (announced at heats): Mollie Harvey from Rodney College
APRA Lyric Award: Soraya Hurrell, Mad Gravity, Whangarei Girls' High School,
Lowdown Best Song: Room 44, Whangarei Girls' High School
The Mainz Musicianship Award: Katene Cotton, bassist in Mic’s Mates, Huanui College
Smokefree Vocals Award: Katie Woodhouse, Room 44, Whangarei Girls' High School
People’s Choice voted by text: Livewire, Mahurangi 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