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2019 Archive:
Independent Music NZ (IMNZ) is very pleased to announce that the finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2019 have been confirmed. In celebration of its tenth year, the Taite Music Prize adds an extra element with a new Independent Spirit Award and a venue move to Auckland’s Q Theatre for the Taite Music Prize award ceremony on Tuesday 16th April 2019.
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand’s most respected music journalists, the award recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one recording. The prize-winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 to be spent as they wish, thanks to Taite Music Prize founding partner Recorded Music NZ; recording time at Red Bull Studios Auckland; and a year’s supply of Red Bull product. This year’s ten finalists, from a list of 67 nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:
Alien Weaponry – Tū (Napalm Records)
Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club (Years Gone By) [WINNER 2019]
Jonathan Bree – Sleepwalking (Lil’ Chief Records)
Julia Deans – We Light Fire (Tigerhorse)
Marlon Williams – Make Way For Love (Marlon Williams Music Limited) Mel Parsons – Glass Heart (Cape Road)
Tami Neilson – SASSAFRASS! (Neilson Records)
The Beths – Future Me Hates Me (Dew Process / Carpark)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food (Jagjaguwar)
Wax Chattels – Wax Chattels (Flying Nun Records)
The ten albums in contention for the 2019 prize include fresh faces and familiar New Zealand musicians alike. Previous Taite Music Prize finalists returning with their latest albums include; Julia Deans (previous finalist for her Modern Fables album in 2011), Jonathan Bree (previous finalist for The Primrose Path in 2014), Marlon Williams (previous finalist for his self titled debut album in 2016), Tami Neilson (previous finalist for Dynamite! in 2015), Tom Scott (previous finalist for Homebrew’s self titled album and @Peace’s self titled album, both in 2013 plus @Peace’s Girl Songs in 2014 and 2015’s @peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony), and Unknown Mortal Orchestra (previous finalist for album II in 2014, Multi-Love in 2016 and winners for self-titled album in 2012).
Of the Taite Music Prize reaching its tenth anniversary, IMNZ General Manager, Dylan Pellett, says, “I’m a little bewildered – that snuck up on us quick! Ten years! I’m very pleased to see how the Taite Music Prize has evolved over that time and to get to this Tenth Anniversary milestone has been an enjoyable ride. I recall the first ceremony being held in a concrete bunker somewhere in downtown Auckland and it’s been developing and growing up every year since. There has been so much artistic expression recorded on so many great New Zealand albums over the last ten years and I can’t help but think that Dylan Taite would be proud of the quality and talent that this award acknowledges. If you’ll excuse me, I might go back and listen to all the finalists this afternoon…perhaps I’ll make a mixtape – sorry, I mean a playlist! Happy days!”
Alongside the main prize, three additional awards will be presented at the ceremony: the Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award, the newly created Independent Spirit Award, awarded to a New Zealand person who assists our NZ musicians to grow and find their own unique pathways, and the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2,000 cash prize with thanks to Auckland Live.
TAITE MUSIC PRIZE 2018 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
Auckland Live Best Independent Debut revealed
Independent Music NZ Classic Record award presented
The winner of the ninth annual Taite Music Prize is the inimitable Aldous Harding for her bewitching sophomore album ‘Party’.
The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut 2018 is awarded to West Auckland’s bayou-blues folk quintet, The Miltones for their self-titled album.
The iconic Headless Chickens were presented the Independent Music New Zealand Classic Record award for their landmark 1988 album, Stunt Clown.
In a message from her current base in London, Aldous (Hannah) Hardingreacted to the win with her trademark thoughtful delivery thanking “everyone involved in the making of Party, not just the music itself but the air around it, things around it and the people supporting the future of Party.” Hannah also revealed future plans in her message with a wry smile, “We start recording in the next couple of days, the new album, so I’ll put the money towards making the same mistake.”
The Taite Music Prize highlights outstanding New Zealand albums released in the past year. The award is open to all genres of music from any record label and judged on artistic merit, regardless of genre or sales. Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, The Taite Music Prize‘s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one recording. Hannah receives a cash prize of $10,000 from Taite Music Prize founding partner, Recorded Music NZ. Additionally through the support of Red Bull Studios Auckland, the winner receives recording time at the Red Bull Studios and a year’s supply of product.
As the main prize was announced, the room was hushed in high expectation that met with a roar matching the enthusiasm of the unanimous decision by this year’s panelist of judges. Homage was paid to the undeniable calibre of all of the other finalists and their 2017 releases; Nadia Reid, Kane Strang, The Bads, Grayson Gilmour, Mermaidens, TEEKS and Fazerdaze.
IMNZ Chairperson Matthew Davis comments, “The eye-watering high standard of albums released last year gave us all such inspiration and sense of gratitude to be able to hold these awards again. It’s no surprise looking at the calibre of these nominees that the international attention on New Zealand music continues to grow”.
The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award went to West Auckland five-piece, The Miltones for their self-titled, self-released, debut album delivering their unique spin on bluesy folk-rock Americana. Their calling card debut has provided a massive year for the young band including performance slots at WOMAD, Marchfest and a sold-out album release tour. They receive a $2000 cash prize from IMNZ plus a live performance slot programmed at Auckland Live.
Auckland Live’s manager of Programme Development, Georgina Cervin comments, “Representing Auckland Live on the Taite Music Prize judging panel this year has been as much of a challenge as it has been a pleasure. There is a wealth of major talent amongst NZ’s independent artists, and selecting winners from the excellent shortlists was never going to be straightforward. Auckland Live is a strong supporter of NZ music and musicians, and we look forward to developing our relationship with the independent sector as work continues on the Aotea Studios development over the coming years”.
The ceremony included the award presentation of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record. This award acknowledges one New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. These records, whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album, have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history.
This year’s panel gave the nod to the Headless Chickens’ Stunt Clown album as one of Aotearoa’s classic records. The award was presented by Public Address founder, Hard Newsjournalist and Flying Nun Records aficionado, Russell Brown and was accepted by members of the band. Tribute was made to late bandmate Grant Fell who passed away early this year, before launching into an impromptu rendition of a favourite from Stunt Clown, ‘Fish Song’.
The Taite Music Prize winner was announced this evening at an event attended by around 350 people in The Wintergarden, the musical belly of Auckland’s magnificent theatre, The Civic. MCs for the evening’s proceedings were 95bFM’s Geneva Alexander and Radio New Zealand’s Alex Behan. The event was live-streamed to the public thanks to Radio NZ National.
IMNZ members Loop Recordings assembled Taite Music Prize House Band featuring Frank Eliesa, Swap Gomez, Kenji Iwamitsu-Holdaway & JY Lee of Yoko-Zuna with guests Anna Coddington, Joel Shadbolt of L.A.B. and Randa. They performed a variety of covers throughout the night including previous Taite Prize Winners – Street Chant’s ‘Pedestrian Support League’, alongside Headless Chickens – ‘Expecting To Fly’ and Aldous Harding’s ‘Imagining My Man’.
The Taite Music Prize panel to determine the finalists was made up of a broad section of music/media/industry specialists. The finalist judges made their decision based entirely on the artistic merit of the winning album. Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity were not contributing factors in their decision-making process.
2018 Taite Music Prize Judges:
Alan Holt – NZ Music Commission
Billie Rogers – Artist (Street Chant)
Georgina Cervin – Auckland Live
Hugh Sundae – Hollywood Avondale
Joost Langeveld – Big Pop Studios / Artist
Russell Baillie – NZ Listener Arts Editor
Sandy Mill – Artist
Savina Fountain – Ignite / Auckland Stadiums
Silke Hartung – NZ Musician
Teremoana Rapley – Artist
Finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2018 were from a lengthy list of 92 nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country:
Aldous Harding – Party (Flying Nun Records)
Fazerdaze – Morningside (Flying Nun Records)
Grayson Gilmour – Otherness (Flying Nun Records)
Kane Strang – Two Hearts and No Brain (Dead Oceans)
Mermaidens – Perfect Body (Flying Nun Records)
Nadia Reid – Preservation (SPUNK!)
TEEKS – The Grapefruit Skies (TEEKS)
The Bads – Losing Heroes (The Bads)
This year the Taite Music Prize was announced at a presentation at The Civic’s Wintergarden in Auckland on Tuesday 17th April 2018.
Taite Music Prize 2018 Finalists
– Online –
http://www.aldousharding.com/
https://fazerdaze.bandcamp.com/
http://graysongilmour.com/
https://www.kanestrang.com/
https://mermaidens.bandcamp.com/
https://www.nadiareid.com/
http://teeks.nz/
http://thebads.com/
Listen to all the albums via Spotify playlist here.
The Taite Music Prize
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air / The Taite Family
Event Partners: Auckland Live
Supporting Partners: NZ Music Commission / APRA AMCOS / Media Arts Lawyers / Merlin /
Red Bull Studios Auckland / Commotion Ltd. / McCarthy Design
Media Partners: 95bFM
Charity Partners: The NZ Music Foundation
Taite Music 2017 – unveiling the Finalists
Independent Music NZ is very pleased to announce that the finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2017 have been confirmed. Now in its eighth year, the Taite Music Prize recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album.
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand’s most respected music journalists, the prize-winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 to be spent as they wish, thanks to Taite Music Prize founding partner Recorded Music NZ; recording time at Red Bull Studios Auckland; and a year’s supply of Red Bull product. This year’s eight finalists, from a lengthy list of 70 nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:
Aaradhna / Brown Girl (Universal Music NZ)
Hopetoun Brown / Look So Good (Melita Music)
Lawrence Arabia / Absolute Truth (Flying Nun Records)
LEISURE / LEISURE (THE LEISURE COLLECTIVE)
Lontalius / I’ll Forget 17 (POD/Inertia)
Pacific Heights / The Stillness (Warner Music)
Shayne P Carter / Offsider (Flying Nun Records)
Street Chant / Hauora (Arch Hill Recordings)
The eight albums in contention for the 2017 prize include fresh faces and familiar New Zealand musicians alike. Previous Taite Music Prize winner Lawrence Arabia returns as a finalist with Absolute Truth, and his label-mate Shayne P Carter enters with his acclaimed Offsider album. Brand new finalists include Lontalius and LEISURE – both with their debut albums, while Hopetoun Brown joins the finalists list with their second studio release Looks So Good.
2012 Taite Music Prize finalist Aaradhna is back with her fourth studio album Brown Girl, as are 2011 finalists Street Chant with their second record Hauora.
Independent Music New Zealand chairperson, Matthew Davis, says, “We are very proud to celebrate the extraordinary musical and artistic expression found in New Zealand, through the recognition of these great albums. This year’s finalists (and the impressive list of nominees) for the Taite Music Prize show that creativity, diversity and imagination within the New Zealand recording sector is thriving.”
Founding partner Recorded Music NZ’s chief executive, Damian Vaughan, says it’s been a pleasure to be closely involved with the event. “This year’s finalists are a true reflection of the best local recordings. I’d encourage everyone to listen to these truly outstanding albums and I wish all the finalists every success,” he says.
This year the Taite Music Prize will be announced at a presentation at The Civic’s Wintergarden in Auckland on Tuesday 18th April 2017. Alongside the main prize, two additional awards will be presented at the ceremony: the already established Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award and the newly created Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa, and including a $2,000 cash prize and a live performance slot at Auckland Live Summer in the Square 2017/2018 – Auckland’s biggest backyard summer party.
TAITE MUSIC PRIZE 2017
TUESDAY 18th APRIL – WINTERGARDEN, at The Civic
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air / The Taite Family
Event Partners: Auckland Live
Supporting Partners: NZ Music Commission / APRA AMCOS / Media Arts Lawyers / Songbroker /
Red Bull Studios Auckland / Commotion Ltd. / McCarthy Design / Spotify
Media Partners: 95bFM
Charity Partners: The NZ Music Foundation
Previous Taite Music Prize winners:
2010 – Lawrence Arabia – Chant Darling (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 – Ladi6 – The Liberation Of (What? Music)
2012 – Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)
2013 – SJD – Elastic Wasteland (Round Trip Mars)
2014 – Lorde – Pure Heroine (Universal Music NZ)
2015 – Jakob – Sines (Shoot The Freak)
2016 – Silicon – Personal Computer (Weird World/Domino Recordings)
Previous Independent Music NZ Classic Record recipients:
2013 – Gordons – Gordons (Flying Nun)
2014 – Various Artists – AK79 (Ripper Records)
2015 – Herbs – What’s Be Happen? (Warrior Records)
2016 – Upper Hutt Posse – E T? (Jayrem Records)
About the Taite Music Prize:
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, The Taite Music Prize’s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as they wish – with thanks to Founding Partner of the Taite Music Prize, Recorded Music NZ. Additionally through the support of Red Bull Studios Auckland, the winner receives recording time and a year’s supply of Red Bull product.
Also awarded at the ceremony, is the Independent Music NZ Classic Record award – acknowledging a defining NZ record from our yesteryear.
Wikipedia entry, Taite Music Prize: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taite_Music_Prize
2017 Terms and Judging Criteria – CLICK HERE
PREVIOUS TAITE MUSIC PRIZE EVENTS:
The Taite Music Prize 2016 announces charity partner.
Independent Music New Zealand today announced that The New Zealand Music Foundation is the charity partner of the Taite Music Prize 2016 being held at Galatos Live in Auckland on Wednesday 20 April.
The charity develops and supports projects that use music to make a positive difference to people in need across the country. It also provides caring, confidential and practical assistance to people from the NZ music community who are experiencing illness and hardship.
Matthew Davis, chairperson of Independent Music New Zealand says, “We’re proud to celebrate the extraordinary musical and artistic expression to be found in New Zealand through The Taite Music Prize. In appointing The New Zealand Music Foundation as our charity partner, we hope to support the work they do that makes such a difference to the lives of people in need around NZ and gives such vital assistance to kiwi music people in times of crisis.”
New Zealand Music Foundation general manager Peter Dickens says: “The NZ Music Foundation was established with the belief that music has the power to make the world a better place. Partnerships such as this are vital in enabling us to carry out our mission and we’re thrilled to be the charity partner of the Taite Music Prize 2016.”
To support the New Zealand Music Foundation please click here.
Ends
About IMNZ:
Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) is a non-profit trade association – the New Zealand voice for independent record labels and distributors. Independent Music New Zealand monitors and advocates for our members rights, working to spread their message, and lobbies for any changes to the industry that will benefit local labels and their artists.
About the Taite Music Prize 2016:
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, The Taite Music Prize’s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as they wish – thanks to Founding Partner of the Taite Music Prize Recorded Music NZ. Additionally through the support of Red Bull Studios Auckland, the winner receives recording time and a year’s supply of Red Bull product.
About the New Zealand Music Foundation:
The New Zealand Music Foundation was established in 2012. It provides caring, confidential and practical assistance in times of illness, distress and hardship to members of the New Zealand music community. It also develops and supports projects across New Zealand that use music in healthcare, education, rehabilitation, volunteering and all areas of society to positively influence the lives of those in need.
THE TAITE MUSIC PRIZE 2016: UNVEILING THE FINALISTS
Independent Music NZ is very pleased to announce that the finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2016 have now been confirmed.
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the countrys most highly respected music journalists, this will be the seventh year for the award. The Taite Music Prizes’ purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 to be spent as they wish. The cash prize is kindly supplied by the Founding Partner Recorded Music NZ. The winner will also receive free recording time at Red Bull Studio Auckland and a years supply of Red Bull product.
This years eight finalists, from a lengthy list of 52 nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:
SJD / Saint John Divine (Round Trip Mars)
Nadia Reid / Listen to Formation, Look for the Signs (Spunk Records)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra / Multi-Love (Jagjaguwar / Rhythmethod)
Princess Chelsea / The Great Cybernetic Depression (Lil’ Chief Records)
The Phoenix Foundation / Give Up Your Dreams (The Phoenix Foundation)
Anthonie Tonnon / Successor (Canapé King Records / Southbound)
Marlon Williams / Marlon Williams (Universal Music)
Silicon / Personal Computer (Weird World Recording Co / Universal Music NZ)
The eight albums in contention for the 2016 prize include fresh faces and familiar New Zealand musicians alike. Previous Taite Music Prize winners Unknown Mortal Orchestra and SJD return with unique albums ‘Multi-Love’ & ‘Saint John Divine’, as does previous Taite Music Prize finalist The Phoenix Foundation with ‘Give Up Your Dreams’. Marlon Williams is a new finalist for his self-titled album and Nadia Reid is debuting with ‘Listen to Formation, Look for the Signs’. Also showing as a first-time finalist are Princess Chelsea with ‘The Great Cybernetic Depression’ and Anthonie Tonnon with his second album ‘Successor’. Rounding out this talented group of 2016 finalists is Silicon for the ‘Personal Computer’ album.
Matthew Davis, chairperson of Independent Music New Zealand says, “We are very proud to be able to celebrate the extraordinary musical and artistic expression to be found in New Zealand, through the recognition of these great albums. This years finalists (and the impressive list of nominees) for the Taite Music Prize show that creativity, diversity and imagination within the New Zealand recording sector is thriving, and we look forward to the award ceremony which is sure to be a great night.”
Damian Vaughan, CEO of Recorded Music NZ – Founding Partner of the Taite Music Prize said, “There were some really fantastic New Zealand albums released in 2015, and this years Taite Music Prize finalists are a true reflection of the best local recordings.”
The overall award winner will be announced on Wednesday the 20th of April at an invitation-only event in Auckland’s central city. The ceremony will also include the presentation of this years Independent Music NZ Classic Record award, acknowledging a defining NZ record from our yesteryear. Last years recipient was Herbs’ ‘What’s Be Happen?’ (Warrior Records, July 1981).
The selected finalist music panel for 2016 is made up of the following persons:
Finalist Judging Panel for Taite Music Prize 2016
Cath Andersen (Chief Executive, NZ Music Commission)
Greg Churchill (NZ DJ godfather)
Lydia Jenkin (NZ Herald Entertainment)
Peter McLennan (writer / musician / IMNZ board member)
Jeremy McPike (Studio Manager, Roundhead Studios)
Abbie Rutledge (Manager APRA AMCOS)
Emma Smith (Radio NZ National)
Danielle Street (Editor, Undertheradar.co.nz)
Tama Waipara (Musician / Programme Manager, Auckland Festival)
The Taite Music Prize
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air (NZOA) / the Taite Family
Supporting Partners: NZ Music Commission / The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA-AMCOS) / Native Tongue Music Publishing / Merlin / Media Arts Lawyers / Red Bull Studios Auckland / MOA Beer / Spy Valley Wines / McCarthy Design
Media Partners: 95bFM / iHeartRadio / Juice TV
Previous winners are:
2010: Lawrence Arabia ‘Chant Darling’ (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011: Ladi6 ‘The Liberation Of’ (What? Music)
2012: Unknown Mortal Orchestra ‘Unknown Mortal Orchestra’ (Seeing Records)
2013: SJD ‘Elastic Wasteland’ (Round Trip Mars)
2014: Lorde ‘Pure Heroine’ (Universal Music NZ)
2015: Jakob ‘Sines’ (Shoot The Freak)
Previous Independent Music NZ Classic Record winners are:
2013: Gordons ‘Gordons’ (Flying Nun Records)
2014: AK-79 various artists (Ripper Records)
2015: Herbs ‘What’s Be Happen’ (Warrior Records)
ENDS
The Taite Music Prize 2015
Watch the live webstream of the Taite Music Prize ceremony, thanks to 95bFM: (Wednesday 15th 2015, from 6.45pm onwards)
Jakob – ‘Sines’ (ShootThe Freak)
Grayson Gilmour – ‘Infinite Life!’ (Flying Nun Records)
Mulholland – ‘Stop & Start Again’ (Mulholland)
Delaney Davidson – ‘Swim Down Low’ (Outside Inside)
@peace – ‘@peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony’ (Young, Gifted and Broke)
Tiny Ruins – ‘Brightly Painted One’ (Arch Hill Recordings/Spunk Records)
Aldous Harding – ‘Aldous Harding’ (Lyttleton Records/Flying Out)
Independent Music NZ is very pleased to announce that the finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2015 have now been confirmed.
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, this will be the sixth year for the award. The Taite Music Prize’s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. Thewinner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as they wish. The cash prize is kindly supplied by the Founding Partner Recorded Music NZ. The winner will also receive free recording time at Red Bull Studio Auckland and a year’s supply of Red Bull product.
This year’s ten finalists, from a lengthy list of 65 nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:
@peace – ‘@peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony’ (Young, Gifted and Broke)
Aldous Harding – ‘Aldous Harding’ (Lyttleton Records/Flying Out)
Delaney Davidson – ‘Swim Down Low’ (Outside Inside)
Electric Wire Hustle – ‘Love Can Prevail’ (EWH Ltd. / Okayplayer Records)
Grayson Gilmour – ‘Infinite Life!’ (Flying Nun Records)
Jakob – ‘Sines’ (ShootThe Freak)
Kimbra – ‘The Golden Echo’ (Warner Brothers Records)
Tiny Ruins – ‘Brightly Painted One’ (Arch Hill Recordings/Spunk Records)
Mulholland – ‘Stop & Start Again’ (Mulholland)
Tami Neilson – ‘Dynamite!’ (Neilson Records)
The ten albums in contention for the 2015 prize includes a wellspring of fresh and experienced talent with Aldous Harding nominated for her self-titled debut album (Lyttelton Records/Flying Out) and Kimbra nominated for her sophomore album ‘The Golden Echo’ (Warner Bros). Tami Neilson delivers her third album ‘Dynamite’ (Neilson Records), and is a first time finalist. Joining them as a 3rd time finalist (all in consecutive years) is @Peace for the album ‘@peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony’ (Young, Gifted and Broke). Songwriter Tom Scott of @Peace, has also previously been shortlisted as part of the group Homebrew. Also returning as a finalist artist, for the second time, is Tiny Ruins with the album ‘Brightly Painted One’ (Arch Hill / Spunk). Jakob have been on the NZ musical landscape since 1998 and the album ‘Sines’ (Shoot The Freak) is their fourth album – this is first time the Napier-based group have been a finalist in the Taite Music Prize. Grayson Gilmour is also a first time finalist, for his fourth album proper ‘Infinite Life!’ (Flying Nun Records) – his oeuvre contains multiple film soundtrack compositions, remixes and compiled material. Rounding out the first-time finalists for 2015 is Mulholland with ‘Stop and Start Again’ (Mulholland), which is Jol Mulholland’s sophomore solo effort, Electric Wire Hustle with their sophomore album ‘Love Can Prevail’ (EWH Ltd. / Okayplayer Records) and Delaney Davidson with his fifth solo album ‘Swim Down Low’ (Outside Inside). Delaney’s career has included at least four other collaborative albums, and he is also the producer for Tami Neilson’s ‘Dynamite!’ (Neilson Records) debut album.
Christy Whelan, chairperson of IMNZ says, “We are proud to celebrate artistic freedom of expression through the recognition of New Zealand’s great albums. This year’s finalists (and impressive list of nominees) for the Taite Music Prize show that creativity and diversity amongst the recording sector in New Zealand is thriving, and with everyone seeking the coveted award it is sure to be a great night.”
Damian Vaughan, CEO of Recorded Music NZ – Founding Partner of the Taite Music Prize said, “There were some fantastic New Zealand albums released in 2014, and this year’s Taite Music Prize finalists are a true reflection of the best local recordings.”
The overall award winner will be announced on Wednesday the 15th of April at an invitation-only event at Galatos Live in Auckland’s central city. The ceremony will include live performances and the presentation of this year’s Independent Music NZ Classic Record award, acknowledging a defining NZ record from our yesteryear. Last year’s recipient was the ‘AK.79’ compilation album (Ripper Records, RPR1, December 1979).
The voting panel to determine the finalists was made up of a broad section of music media and industry specialists alongside all current members of Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ).
There will be a second round of judging by a selected music panel to decide the overall winner. The judges will make their decision based entirely on the artistic merit of the album(s). Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity are not contributing factors in their decision-making process.
The selected finalist music panel for 2015 is made up of the following persons:
Finalist Judging Panel for Taite Music Prize 2015
Pennie Black (Programme Director, 95bFM)
Greg Churchill (NZ DJ godfather)
Sarah Crowe (Assistant Music Manager, NZ On Air)
Marty Duda (13th Floor / Radio NZ)
Lucy Macrae (Promotions & PublicityManager, The Label)
Paul McLaney (musician / Board member NZ Music Commission)
Peter McLennan (writer / musician / IMNZ board member)
Henry Oliver (Freelance writer / North & South music columnist)
Julie Warmington (Freelance music publicist)
Natalie Wilson (Music Supervisor, The Other Side Music)
11th Man – John Taite (BBC America)
The Taite Music Prize 2015
Presented by:
Independent Music New Zealand
Founding Partner:
Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners:
NZ On Air / the Taite Family
Supporting Partners:
NZ Music Commission / The Australasian Performing Right Association / Native Tongue Music Publishing / NZMusic4U -Pure Capital Thinking
Media Arts Lawyers / Red Bull Studio Auckland / MOA Beer / Spy Valley Wines / McCarthy Design
Media Partners:
iHeartRadio / Juice TV / Kiwi FM
Previous winners are:
2010: Lawrence Arabia ‘Chant Darling’ (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011: Ladi6 ‘The Liberation Of’ (What? Music)
2012:Unknown Mortal Orchestra ‘Unknown Mortal Orchestra’ (Seeing Records)
2013: SJD ‘Elastic Wasteland’ (Round Trip Mars)
2014: Lorde ‘Pure Heroine’ (Universal Music NZ)
ENDS
__________________________________________________
Taite Music Prize 2014
The Phoenix Foundation – Fandango (The Phoenix Foundation/Universal)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – II (Rhythmethod)
Beastwars ‘Blood Becomes Fire’ (Destroy Records)
Sheep, Dog & Wolf – Egospect (Lil’Chief Records)
David Dallas – Falling Into Place (Frequency Media Group)
Jonathan Bree – The Primrose Path (Lil’ Chief Records)
Press Release: Wednesday February 19th 2014
The Taite Music Prize: Announcing The Finalists
The finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2014 have now been confirmed.
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, this will be the fifth year for the award. The Taite Music Prize’s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as they wish. The cash prize is kindly supplied by Recorded Music NZ.
The winner will also receive free recording time at Red Bull Studios and a year’s supply of Red Bull Product.
This year’s finalists, from a lengthy list of nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – ‘II’ (Rhythmethod)
Beastwars – ‘Blood Becomes Fire’ (Destroy Records)
Sheep Dog & Wolf – ‘Egospect’ (Lil’ Chief Records)
The Phoenix Foundation – ‘Fandango’ (The Phoenix Foundation/Universal)
David Dallas – ‘Falling Into Place’ (Frequency Media Group/Universal)
@peace – ‘Girl Songs’ (Frequency Media Group/Universal)
Lorde – ‘Pure Heroine’ (Universal Music New Zealand)
Jonathan Bree – ‘The Primrose Path’ (Lil’ Chief Records)
The voting panel to determine the finalists was made up of a broad section of music media/industry specialists alongside all current members of Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ). There will be a second round of judging by a selected music panel to decide the overall winner.
The judges will make their decision based entirely on the artistic merit of the album(s).
Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity are not contributing factors in their decision-making process.
The selected finalist music panel for 2014 is made up of the following persons:
Finalist Judging Panel for Taite Music Prize 2014
– Gary Steel (Metro writer, free-range journalist)
– T’Nealle Joie (The Darkroom / The Last Word)
– Grant Smithies (Sunday Star Times)
– Pennie Blair (Operations Manager, 95bFM)
– Sandra Hopping (IMNZ member / Ode Records)
– Vicky Blood (Chairperson, NZ Music Commission)
– Jon Bywater (Senior Lecturer, Critical Studies, Elam School of Fine Arts / Auckland University)
– Duncan Greive (freelance journalist)
– Aroha Harawira (DJ, George FM)
– Andre Upston (Producer, Radio New Zealand)
– 11th Man – John Taite (BBC America)
Christy Whelan, Chairperson of IMNZ says, “Creating, producing and promoting the Taite Music Prize, a music award that recognises and rewards the artistic
value of a great New Zealand album, is at the heart of IMNZ’s core values and we are very proud to celebrate all of the album finalists this year.
However, only one artist will grasp the trophy with both hands this year and I look forward now to hearing the judges decision.”
Damian Vaughan, CEO of Recorded Music NZ – Official Partner of the Taite Music Prize said this afternoon, “I’m excited by the phenomenal talent in the shortlist.
Once again the Taite Music Prize showcases the depth of quality albums released here in NZ.”
The overall award winner will be announced on Wednesday the 16th of April at an invitation-only event at Galatos Live in Auckland’s central city.
The ceremony will include live performances from last year’s Taite Music Prize winner SJD and another artist who is yet-to-be-announced.
Also to be presented at the event is the Independent Music NZ Classic Record award, acknowledging a defining NZ record from our yesteryear. Last year’s recipient was the GORDONS – ‘GORDONS’. The ‘Independent Music NZ Classic Record’ aims to acknowledge New Zealand’s rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and define who we are.
The panel to determine the recipient of this award was made up of a broad section of music media/industry specialists, who have given the nod in 2014 to the ‘AK.79’ compilation album (Ripper Records, RPR1, December 1979) as one of NZ’s classic records. The award is scheduled to be presented by Kerry Buchanan (The Terrorways) and will be accepted by Ripper Records head Bryan Staff.
When told of the news this week, Bryan Staff said: “That’s fantastic! Dylan Taite was a friend whom I respected so this is a great honour.”
Duncan Grieve, freelance journalist and judging panel member said: “’I met her outside the IGA/ True Love works in funny ways’ is well-known to be the finest in New Zealand songwriting history, and one of the many splendours AK.79 contains. It’s a collection of scrappy DIY pop, which feels like the first unified and exuberant shot from a rising young generation determined to make themselves heard. That sense of empowerment shines through every one of these sometimes derivative, often shambolic, always deeply felt recordings.”
“AK.79 – a riff-happy thrill-athon that is far and away the best local punk compilation this country has produced…Underneath the obvious aggression of these songs you can hear pure joy – the sound of working class New Zealand youth, who were bored to death with the flabby indulgences of prog rock, bursting forth with a rude, rowdy and exciting pop music of their own. As it says in the liner notes ‘…each song nails down a moment during what was a hot time for New Zealand rock’n’roll’.” – Grant Smithies, Soundtracks: 118 Great New Zealand Albums (2007)
“Musically quite brilliant in (many) places and truly iconic, AK.79 is a tribute – not only to the bands who played in the scene – but also to the vision of Bryan Staff, without whom, much of this music and history would have been lost.” – Simon Grigg
For a full history of the making of the AK.79 album, head over to Audio Culture. http://www.audioculture.co.nz/scenes/ak79-short-haired-rock-n-roll-in-the-queen-city
(L-R) AK.79 album cover, designed by Terence Hogan / Bryan Staff, head of Ripper Records / poster advertising for AK.79
The Taite Music Prize: in search of this year’s finest New Zealand album
Independent Music NZ are very excited to announce that nominations are now open for the Taite Music Prize 2014.
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, this will be the fifth year for the award. The Taite Music Prize’s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as they wish. The cash prize is kindly supplied by Recorded Music NZ. Additionally through the support of Red Bull, the winner receives gratis recording time at Red Bull Studios and a year’s supply of Red Bull.
Acknowledging originality, creativity and musicianship regardless of sales figures or genre, The Taite Music Prize was established to champion the finest release by a New Zealand artist or group – the previous winners have all been excellent albums that demonstrate these criteria well.
The shortlisted finalist albums will be selected by votes from all current IMNZ members alongside an invited group comprising musicians, record label representatives, music journalists and radio staff. The shortlisted albums will then be subjected to a secondary round of judging by a group of ten music judges who will collectively decide the overall winner of the Taite Music Prize.
The judges will make their decision based entirely on the music on the finalist albums. Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity are not contributing factors in their decision making process. The winner will then be announced at a presentation in Auckland on 16th April 2014. The ceremony will also include the award presentation of this year’s Independent Music NZ Classic Record, which acknowledges New Zealand’s rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and define who we are. This award is also determined by this year’s judging panel, which is made up of a broad section of music media/industry specialists. Last year’s panel gave the nod to the GORDONS – ‘GORDONS’ album as one of NZ’s classic records.
The event will be live-streamed to the public via NZ Herald Online and filmed for later broadcast by Juice TV.
Any New Zealand album released during 2013 is eligible for nomination for the Taite Music Prize 2014. For more detail on specific eligibility and nomination forms please visit: http://www.indies.co.nz. Nominations close 5.00pm on 21st January 2014.
The Taite Music Prize
Presented by:
Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Official Partners:
Recorded Music NZ / NZ On Air (NZOA) / the Taite Family
Supporting Partners:
NZ Music Commission / The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) / Native Tongue Music Publishing / Jagermeister / Red Bull / MOA Beer / Spy Valley Wines / McCarthy Design
Media Partners:
NZ Herald Online / Juice TV / Kiwi FM
Previous winners are:
2010 – Lawrence Arabia ‘Chant Darling’ (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 – Ladi6 – The Liberation Of (What? Music)
2012 – Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)
2013 – SJD ‘Elastic Wasteland’ (Round Trip Mars)
About the Red Bull Studio – Nestled in the heart of Auckland City is the Red Bull Studio. The recording and production facility is the perfect space to explore New Zealand’s musical potential and aims to be a platform for growth in the ever vibrant local music scene, providing access for a range of local and international musical talent. As well as documenting the creative process the studio hosts a series of development projects, features, news stories and video content from all studio artists.
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Taite Music Prize 2013
The finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2013 have now been confirmed. Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, this will be the fourth year for the award. The Taite Music Prize’s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as they wish. The cash prize is kindly supplied by PPNZ Music Licensing. Additionally through the support of Red Bull, the winner receives gratis recording time at Red Bull Studios and a year’s supply of Red Bull. This years finalists, from a lengthy list of nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:
@Peace – @Peace (Frequency Media Group)
Aaradhna – Treble & Reverb (Frequency Media Group)
Collapsing Cities – Strangers Again (Pastel Pistol)
Home Brew – Home Brew (Young Gifted & Broke / Frequency Media Group)
Lawrence Arabia – The Sparrow (Honorary Bedouin)
OPOSSOM – Electric Hawaii (CRS Records)
SJD – Elastic Wasteland (Round Trip Mars)
Listen to the finalists on the Taite Music Prize 2013 playlist on Spotify.
The voting panel to determine the finalists was made up of a broad section of music media/industry specialists alongside all current members of Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ). There will be a second round of judging by a selected music panel to decide the eventual winner. The judges will make their decision based entirely on the artistic merit of the album(s). Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity are not contributing factors in their decision-making process. The selected music panel for 2013 is made up of the following persons:
Finalist Judging Panel for Taite Music Prize 2013
– Gary Steel (Metro writer, freerange journalist)
– Grant Smithies (Sunday Star Times)
– Jan Hellriegel (IMNZ member / Native Tongue Music Publishing)
– Lydia Jenkin (NZ Herald Entertainment)
– Damian Vaughan (NZ Licensing Manager, APRA)
– Leonie Hayden (Editor, RipItUp)
– Murray Cammick (freelance DJ / music doyen)
– Nick Atkinson (The Music Mix / Radio NZ)
– Ren Kirk (Editor, theaudience.co.nz)
– Sandra Hopping (IMNZ member/ Ode Records)
11th Man John Taite (BBC America)
Acknowledging originality, creativity and musicianship regardless of sales figures or genre, The Taite Music Prize was established to champion the finest release by a New Zealand artist or group – the previous winners have all been excellent albums that demonstrate these criteria well.
In addition to the cash prize for the winning album, both the winner and the nominated artists experience huge surges in sales and media exposure immediately preceding the announcements and for some time afterwards.
The Taite Music Prize aims to support the growth and increasing sustainability of the local NZ music industry in drawing attention to the creative output of NZ artists.
The nominated finalist albums will be selected by votes from all IMNZ members and a thirty person judging group – comprising musicians, record label representatives, music journalists and radio staff. There will then be a secondary group of ten music judges that will decide the overall winner.
The judges will make their decision based entirely on the music on the finalist albums. Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity are not contributing factors in their decision making process. The winner will then be announced at a presentation in Auckland on 17th April 2013. The event will be live-streamed to the public via the NZ Herald Online.
Any New Zealand album released during 2012 is eligible for nomination for the Taite Music Prize 2013. For more detail on eligibility and nomination forms please click through.
Nominations closed on 21stJanuary 2013.
In 2013, IMNZ is proud to announce a new award to be presented at this year’s Taite Music Prize event. The ceremony is to include the ‘Independent Music NZ Classic Record’, which is a new award that aims to acknowledge New Zealand’s rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and that also define who we are.
The panel to determine the recipient of this new award was made up of a broad section of music media/industry specialists, who have given the nod in 2013 to the GORDONS – ‘GORDONS’ album as one of NZ’s classic records. The award is scheduled to be presented by Shayne Carter and will be accepted by band member John Halvorsen.
When told of the news, John Halvorsen said: “I’m shocked. I feel grateful to be acknowledged after all these years by the industry – it’s our first ever award. I’m humbled and grateful.”
Talking about the first ‘Independent Music NZ Classic Record’ recipient, finalist judge Grant Smithies said: “…this first Gordons record remains unsurpassed for its nasty beauty, its ice-cold pessimism and white-hot intensity.” – Grant Smithies, Soundtracks: 118 Great New Zealand Albums (2007)
The Taite Music Prize
Presented by:
Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Official Partners:
PPNZ Music Licensing / NZ On Air (NZOA) / the Taite Family
Supporting Partners:
NZ Music Commission / The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) / Native Tongue Music Publishing / Jagermeister / Red Bull / MOA Beer
Media Partners:
NZ Herald Online / Kiwi FM
About the Red Bull Studio – Nestled in the heart of Auckland City is the Red Bull Studio. The recording and production facility is the perfect space to explore New Zealand’s musical potential and aims to be a platform for growth in the ever vibrant local music scene, providing access for a range of local and international musical talent. As well as documenting the creative process the studio hosts a series of development projects, features, news stories and video content from all studio artists.
Taite Music Prize 2013
@Peace – @Peace (Frequency Media Group)
Aaradhna – Treble & Reverb (Frequency Media Group)
Home Brew – Home Brew (Young Gifted & Broke / Frequency Media Group)
SJD – Elastic Wasteland (Round Trip Mars) WINNER 2013
Collapsing Cities – Strangers Again (Pastel Pistol)
Lawrence Arabia – The Sparrow (Honorary Bedouin)
OPOSSOM – Electric Hawaii (CRS Records)
Previous winners of the Taite Music Prize:
2010 – Lawrence Arabia ‘Chant Darling’ (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 – Ladi6 – The Liberation Of (What? Music)
2012 – Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)
Taite Music Prize (all previous finalists)
Taite Music Prize 2010
The Checks – Alice by the Moon (self-released)
David Dallas – Something Awesome (Dirty Records)
Kerretta – Vilayer (Midium Records)
Shapeshifter – The System Is A Vampire (Truetone)
Lawrence Arabia – Chant Darling (Honorary Bedouin Records) winner 2010
James Milne aka Lawrence Arabia: “I was totally chuffed to receive the Taite. It’s a rather perfect way of commemorating such a true character of the music community here in NZ, and I’m delighted to have any part of it whatsoever. I am pretty interested in seeing who’s going to be nominated this year, too.”
Taite Music Prize 2011
Dudley Benson – Forest: Songs by Hirini Melbourne (Golden Retriever Records)
Connan Mockasin – Please Turn Me Into the Snat (Self Released)
Julia Deans – Modern Fables (Tardus Music)
The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You (Somewhat Damaged)
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation)
Street Chant – Means (Arch Hill Recordings)
Die! Die! Die! – Form (Flying Nun Records)
Ladi6 – The Liberation Of (What? Music) winner 2011
Karoline Tamati AKA Ladi6: “winning the Taite Music Prize is such an honour as it is judged on true creativity and innovation, and both of these things are attributes in our music that we hope to always strive for. We are proud and honoured recipients, and hope always to push the envelope and progress creatively and artistically in our music. We hope to always make music listeners in New Zealand proud of us, and to always stand a little left of centre the way Dylan himself would have liked.” She adds that she and her collaborators will use the prize money “wisely, beginning with the 6-7 month European/UK touring and album release that we are embarking on as of today!”
Taite Music Prize 2012
Andrew Keoghan – Arctic Tales Divide (Brave Beluga Records)
Beastwars – Beastwars (Destroy Records)
David Dallas – The Rose Tint (Dirty Records)
She’s So Rad – In Circles (Round Trip Mars)
The Bats – Free All The Monsters (Flying Nun Records)
Tiny Ruins – Some Were Meant For Sea (Spunk Records)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records) winner 2012
