Media Release: Smokefreerockquest and Tangata Beats – Canterbury solo- duo winners, Tangata Beats and band heats
results.
Live music, original songs, selfies and first time nerves – it was all part of the mix at St Margaret’s College on
Saturday in this year’s Smokefreerockquest Canterbury heats.
Over 800 bands and solo/duos are going through regional heats and finals in over 20 venues from Invercargill to
Whangarei between May 5 and July 6.
Founder and Director Glenn Common says while Smokefreerockquest is a competition, the environment at the heats is very
supportive and the emphasis is on participation.
“The competition is merely the framework on which we hang the opportunity to perform and for entrants to learn from each
other. They pick up skills such as stage presence from watching their peers, in a way that can’t be replicated in the
classroom.”
First placed in the Canterbury solo/duos section was Nina Noble from Cashmere High School, with second place going to PJ
and Evile from Haeata Community Campus, who also won the Smokefree Tangata Beats Award.
Nina Noble won the Canterbury solo-duo section last year, but went it alone with her alt-pop sound this year as it was
‘time for a change’. She says her songs are about emotions and personal experience.
“I was proud of my song ‘Keep me Quiet’ which is about victimisation, and perhaps the strong lyrics helped me stand out
(for the judge),” she said. “I think my complex chord changes and harmonies also helped.”
The top two solo-duos go into the judging pool for the national final, and will be joined by the top two bands selected
at the Canterbury finals in late June. (details below)
PJ and Evile, who won the SmokefreeTangata Beats Award, is made up of vocalist Evile Jireh Sisifo Laloata and
keyboard/guitarist Peni Junior Iva. This award is judged on the use of Maori or Pacifica elements in the contemporary
music setting. They now submit footage to be selected as a finalist for that event’s national final.
These are the top 12 bands to play off at the Canterbury regional final at the Foundry, on Friday June 29, start time
7pm, tickets $20 adults and $10 students at the door or from Eventfinda.
Run77 Christ's College
Portland Cashmere High School
Lotus Cashmere High School
Better than Bacon Burnside HS, Hagley COM COLL, Shirley BHS
Class Disruption Burnside High School, Chisnallwood Int.
Household St Margaret's Coll, Chch GHS, Christ's Coll, Shirley BHS
Thorrington School Unplugged Thorrington School
Uncommon Frequency St Andrew's College
Black wired St Andrew's College
Dear No One Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Merlinco Middleton Grange School
The Subs Christ's College
At the regional final there are awards for the top three bands, the MAINZ Musicianship Award, Smokefree Award For
Women’s Musicianship, Lowdown Best Song, the APRA Lyrics Award, the Fatboy Style Award and the ZM People’s Choice voted
by text.
The top regional bands and solo/duos submit footage for selection as finalists to play at the Smokefree Tangata Beats
national final on Friday September 21 at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest
national final on Saturday September 22.
The live events run from May 5 until July 6, and most regions will also be filmed for the hugely popular SFRQ webisodes,
fronted this year by NZ’s ‘First Bloke’ Clarke Gayford.
Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that
includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, $16,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package, a photo shoot and branding
package from Imaginary Friends. There is also the Musicianship Award, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right
Association) Lyric Award, Best Song Award, Smokefree Vocals Award, Fatboy Style Award, and the ZM People’s Choice.
Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest over its 30-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, Chelsea Jade, Nadia Reid, Aldous Harding, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Devilskin, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga,
and The Naked and Famous. Smokefree Tangata Beats standout successes include Alien Weaponry, Strangely Arousing Nesian
Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.
Ends