Tiki Taane and Liam Finn lead finalist list for biggest music awards ever

4th September 2008 - Media Release
Former Salmonella Dub front-man Tiki Taane dominates the finalists for the 2008 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards in a list that contains the country’s biggest names in music.

Tiki Taane is a finalist in six categories; Liam Finn picks up four spots while Flight of the Conchords, Shihad and The Phoenix Foundation grab three, and Scribe and Anika Moa two.

The finalists were announced today at a function at Auckland’s Langham Hotel. The winning artists are set to be honoured at the biggest-ever event in the awards’ 43-year history when the red carpet is rolled out at Vector Arena, Auckland on October 8.

The prestigious Nokia Album of the Year category includes Anika Moa (In Swings the Tide), Flight of the Conchords (Flight of the Conchords), Liam Finn (I’ll be Lightning), Scribe (Rhymebook), and Tiki Taane (Past, Present and Future).

Tiki Taane and Liam Finn are also finalists in the Vodafone Single of the Year category for their singles ‘Always on my Mind’ and ´Gather to the Chapel’ respectively. Opshop (‘One Day’), Shihad (‘One will Hear the Other’) and The Phoenix Foundation (‘Bright Grey’) round off the category finalists.

Also announced today was the recipient of the second The New Zealand Herald Legacy Award – Straitjacket Fits. The legendary Dunedin band will be officially honoured at the main awards ceremony and will also be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Awards spokesperson Campbell Smith says the finalists list reflects the continuing quality and diversity of New Zealand music.

“It is great to see a wide mix of established and newer artists named as finalists, once again recognising the depth and breadth of New Zealand music talent across the full range of genres.”

Also announced today were the winners of Technical Awards. Tuis were presented for:
Best Album Cover to Barny Bewick of Indium Design for Keep Me On Your Side (Goodnight Nurse)
Best Engineer to Lee Prebble of The Surgery for Happy Ending (The Phoenix Foundation)
Best Producer to Lee Prebble of The Surgery for Happy Ending (The Phoenix Foundation)

“It’s important that we acknowledge the team of people instrumental in recording the music, packaging it and getting it out to music fans,” Smith says. “Lee Prebble has been a valuable contributor to New Zealand music for some time now, and Barny Berwick’s cover artwork is a real standout.”

Smith says the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards’ move to Vector Arena reflects the growth in New Zealand music and results in the biggest-ever Tuis presentation. The bigger space provides room for thousands more music fans, a designated mosh pit, and a huge stage – all making for a greater spectacle.

“One of the biggest advantages of this move is that we will be able to accommodate so many more fans than we have been able to previously. And that is what this event is about – celebrating New Zealand music and involving everyone who has contributed to its success including the fans,” Smith says.

The Tuis presented at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2008 ceremony 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, PPNZ 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.

After an extended period of voting, thousands of New Zealanders nominated their top five artists for the Vodafone People's Choice Award. The five finalists are Antiform, Horsemen Family, Nesian Mystik, Parachute Band, and The DFenders. For the final round of voting, people can cast two votes for their favourite artist, one online at www.vnzma.co.nz and one by TXTing VOTE[space]Artist Name to 787

Public tickets to the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards cost just $47 including booking fee and available exclusively through ticketek. Tickets are on sale from today.

For more information about the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards go to www.vnzma.co.nz

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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 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.

Contacts:
Campbell Smith, RIANZ. Tel: 0-9-3605085; Mob: 021-666 399; campbell@rianz.org.nz
Kelly Grindle, Pead PR, Tel: 0-9-918 5534; Mob: 021 334 447, kelly@peadpr.co.nz

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FINALISTS FOR THE VODAFONE NEW ZEALAND MUSIC AWARDS 2008

Nokia Album of the Year
Anika Moa - In Swings the Tide
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
Scribe - Rhymebook
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Vodafone Single of the Year
Liam Finn - Gather To The Chapel
Opshop - One Day
Shihad - One Will Hear The Other
The Phoenix Foundation - Bright Grey
Tiki Taane - Always On My Mind

Steinlager Pure Best Group
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Shihad - Beautiful Machine
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending

Vodafone People’s Choice Award
Antiform
Horsemen Family
Parachute Band
Nesian Mystik
The DFenders

Best Male Solo Artist
Liam Finn - I'll be Lightning
SJD - Songs From A Dictaphone
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Mazda Best Female Solo Artist
Aaradhna - Sweet Soul Music
Anika Moa - In Swings The Tide
Annabel Fay - Annabel Fay

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Cut Off Your Hands - Blue On Blue
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

C4 Best Music Video
Carey Carter - Tangaroa (Tiki Taane)
Ian Hart - Her Hairagami Set (The Brunettes)
Joe Lonie - Gather To The Chapel (Liam Finn)

PPNZ Best Rock Album
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
Shihad - Beautiful Machine
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending

Best Urban/Hip Hop Album
Mareko - White Sunday 2:The Book Of Mark
Scribe - Rhymebook
Young Sid - The Truth

Best Aotearoa Roots Album
Katchafire - Say What You’re Thinking
Kora - Kora
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Best Dance/Electronica Album
Magik Johnson - You Are Sound
Recloose - Perfect Timing
Shapeshifter – Live

Best Maori Album
Moana & the Tribe - Wha
Ruia - 12:24 Tekau Ma Rua, Rua Tekau Ma Wha
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Best Gospel/Christian Album
All Left Out - The Conquest
Parachute Band - Roadmaps and Revelations
The Ember Days - Your Eyes Light Up

Best Classical Album
Gillian Whitehead - Puhake ki te rangi
Michael Houstoun - Inland
NZTrio - Bright Tide Moving Between

No finalists are announced for the Highest Selling NZ Single, the Highest Selling NZ Album, NZ on Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year and the International Achievement awards. These will be presented at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards ceremony at Auckland’s Vector Arena on Wednesday October 8.

The recipient of the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award – Straitjacket Fits - will also be honoured on October 8. Straitjacket Fits will also be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

WINNERS OF TECHNICAL AWARDS:
Best Album Cover to Barny Bewick for Keep Me On Your Side (Goodnight Nurse)
Best Engineer to Lee Prebble for Happy Ending (The Phoenix Foundation)
Best Producer to Lee Prebble for Happy Ending (The Phoenix Foundation)

www.vnzma.co.nz