Christchurch's Clap Clap Riot Win MTV Kickstart 2008

30 May 2008 - c/o www.muzic.net.nz
Tonight Christchurch finalist Clap Clap Riot has been crowned the winner of MTV Kickstart 2008. The out and out rock ‘n’ roll band beat out finalists Bear Cat, Cause for Alliance and Lydia Cole from Auckland and Tauranga’s Trigger Theory.

The national winner was announced at tonight’s concert in Auckland in front of a live audience recorded for an exclusive show that premieres on MTV, Sunday June 22 @ 8pm.

Kickstart is an initiative of MTV Networks Australia and New Zealand set up to literally ‘kick start’ the career of an artist or band by giving them all the tools necessary to break into the music industry.

Clap Clap Riot takes away a music package worth more than $210,000. The package includes a single recording and distribution deal, video grant, TV and radio airplay, publicity and travel package.

“Clap Clap Riot is certainly a worthy recipient of the MTV Kickstart package,” says MTV Programming Scheduler Katherine Northover. “The four piece band demonstrated extreme talent and impressed not only the hyped up audience, but the judges who went into this competition with extremely high expectations.

Kickstart attracted more than 200 entries from all over New Zealand who applied at www.myspace.com/mtvkickstartnz. Thirty-two were called to auditions in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland and the finalists chosen by a panel of music industry judges including MTV Networks executives, music industry representatives, and successful musicians and media such as P-Money and Mikey Havoc.

Judge Damian Alexander from successful New Zealand band Blindspott says the winning group outperformed the other finalists on the night.

“Clap Clap Riot simply put on the best performance, really tight and it was obvious they were having a good time. The audience really got behind them – the crowd just kept on shouting for them. It’s been a fantastic event and great for music in New Zealand.”

The five finalists battled it out at the MTV Kickstart final at the Viaduct Harbour Marine Village in Auckland.

CATCH THE MTV KICKSTART SPECIAL ON MTV SUNDAY JUNE 22 @ 8:00PM

c/o www.muzic.net.nz

Chch band takes MTV Kickstart NZ
The Press | Friday, 06 June 2008

Congratulations to Christchurch band Clap Clap Riot, the winners of the MTV Kickstart New Zealand competition and a prize package worth more than $210,000.

The group, formerly known as Band Theft Auto, beat other finalists Bear Cat, Cause for Alliance and Lydia Cole from Auckland and Trigger Theory from Tauranga to scoop the pool, winning a single recording and distribution deal, video grant, TV and radio airplay, publicity and travel packages valued at over $210,000.

Guitarist Dave Rowlands said the band was stunned.
"It's a cliche to say but it didn't really sink in on the night and it's only just starting to slap us in the face now that we have time to think about everything."

Rowlands says the group want to get a lot of touring under their belts both here and in Australia.
"Prior to that we're focusing on a single first then will continue on with an album or EP."

The Kickstart competition is open to any artist/band irrespective of genre, the only criteria being that they have to be unsigned.

It is an initiative of MTV Networks Australia and New Zealand and aims to kickstart one group's music career.
This year it attracted 200 entries from throughout New Zealand.

The 32 finalists were whittled down to the best four by a panel of industry representatives including P-Money, Mikey Havoc and Blindspott's Damian Alexander who said Clap Clap Riot out-performed the other finalists.

"Clap Clap Riot simply put on the best performance, really tight and it was obvious they were having a good time. The audience really got behind them the crowd just kept on shouting for them," Alexander said.

The final at the Viaduct Harbour Marine Village in Auckland was filmed and will screen on MTV on Sunday, June 22 at 8pm.

www.myspace.com/clapclapriot
www.christchurchmusic.org.nz/artists