Tiki Taane & Anika Moa finalists in Vodafone NZ Music Technical Section

13th August 2008 - Press Release
The countdown to the 2008 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards has begun with the first round of finalists announced for the 2008 Technical Awards. The backroom wizards who make New Zealand music great are set to be honoured on September 3. Among the nominations are a who's who's of NZ music.

There will be three Technical Awards presented - Best Album Cover, Best Engineer and Best Producer.

The finalists in the Best Album Cover category are:
Barny Bewick for Keep Me On Your Side (Goodnight Nurse);
Liam Finn for I'll Be Lightning (Liam Finn);
Tim Gummer for Inland (Michael Houstoun).

In the Best Engineer category, the finalists are:
Andre Upston for In Swings The Tide by Anika Moa;
Lee Prebble for Happy Ending by The Phoenix Foundation;
Tiki Taane & Evan Short for Past, Present, Future by Tiki Taane.

The finalists for Best Producer are:
Anika Moa for In Swings The Tide (Anika Moa);
Lee Prebble for Happy Ending (The Phoenix Foundation);
Tiki Taane for Past, Present, Future (Tiki Taane).

Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards spokesperson Campbell Smith says: "The technical awards are an essential way to recognise the backbone of our industry. Without producers, engineers, studio staff, and great album covers, New Zealand music would never be as successful as it is.

"Again, the depth of talent in our creative ranks shines through, with many of our top artists being named finalists in these categories. These awards allow us to honour those who add the finishing touches to these fantastic albums."

The winners will be announced at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards Finalists' Announcement and Technical Awards presentation on September 3 at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

The recipient of the second-ever The New Zealand Herald Legacy Award will also be announced September 3. The winner of this will be honoured at the main awards on October 8 and will also be inducted into the RIANZ Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

The finalists for the main awards - now in their 43rd year - will be revealed at the same function in Auckland on September 3. The main awards categories are:

Nokia Album of the Year
Vodafone Single of the Year
Steinlager Pure Best Group
Best Male Solo Artist
Mazda Best Female Solo Artist
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
C4 Best Music Video
Vodafone People's Choice
Best Rock Album
Best Urban / Hip Hop Album
Best Aotearoa Roots Album
Best Dance / Electronica Album
Best Maori Album
Best Gospel / Christian Album
Best Classical Album

No finalists are announced for the Highest Selling NZ Single, Highest Selling NZ Album and the New Zealand on Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year awards. These, along with the International Achievement award - which is judged by the RIANZ Board and awarded at the Board's discretion - will be announced at the main awards on October 8.

ENDS

Issued for the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand by Pead PR

About the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards: The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards take place at the Vector Arena Auckland on October 8 and are set to be bigger and better than ever.

Now there's room for thousands more music fans, a designated mosh pit, a bigger stage for bigger bands and the best of the best in New Zealand music. Limited fan tickets are available from Ticketmaster - but if you miss out on the action the event will be televised on the night of the event live on C4 from 8.30pm.

The public can also keep up to date with what's happening - as well as vote for the Vodafone People's Choice award - by going to www.vnzma.co.nz.

The sponsors lending their support to the awards this year are Vodafone, NZ On Air, Auckland City, Mazda, Nokia, Steinlager Pure, Vector Arena, Langham Hotel Auckland, Gravity Coffee, KIWI FM, NZ Herald and C4.

About Rianz: The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand Inc (RIANZ) is a non-profit organisation representing major and independent record producers, distributors and recording artists throughout New
Zealand. RIANZ works to protect the rights and promote the interests of creative people involved in the New Zealand recording industry.

About Vodafone: In 2007 Vodafone's music store was New Zealand's number one seller of digital music and the biggest overall seller of digital singles.

FreeTXT: JOIN to 787 to receive FREE updates on this year's awards and information on how to win cool prizes (exclusive to Vodafone customers). Or visit www.vnzma.co.nz for the latest VNZMA announcements and a chance to win great prizes including; tickets to the event, mobiles and an once-in-a-lifetime Be The Rock Star experience and more.

www.vnzma.co.nz