News
The inaugural Taite Music Prize: in search of 2009's finest New Zealand album
After much deliberation and more than a few heated discussions, the finalists for the Inaugural Taite Music Prize have been decided. Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country's most highly respected music journalists; The Taite Music Prize has been established to champion the finest release by a New Zealand artist or group, specifically focusing on the artistic merit and creative excellence of one album released in the previous calendar year. Acknowledging creativity and musicianship regardless of sales figures or genre, it is the first of its kind in New Zealand. The first ever finalists from a lengthy list submitted by IMNZ members are:
- The Checks - Alice by the Moon
- David Dallas - Something Awesome
- Kerretta - Vilayer
- Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling
- Shapeshifter - The System is a Vampire
The judging panel has also been decided, and will consist of industry names Sam Wicks (Real Groove), Jim Pinckney (Round Trip Mars), Dean Cameron (1157 Records), David Farrier (TV3), Kirsten Johnstone (Radio NZ), Ross Flahive (The Edge), Scott Maclachlan (Universal Music), Francesca Rudkin (Freelance music journalist), Bernie Griffin (Flaming Pearl) and John Taite, Dylan’s son. “What perfect timing to celebrate our creative excellence as the NZ music industry goes from strength to strength,” says Taite. “This award is all about artistic achievement and giving the status quo a good kicking. It’s an honour to be asked to join the panel of judges.”
The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as they wish. Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) and PPNZ are the principal music industry supporters of the Taite Music Prize in conjunction with the Taite family. The winner will be announced at a function at Auckland’s Plaything gallery on March 31, 2010.
IMNZ and PPNZ are the principal music industry supporters of the Taite Music Prize in conjunction with the Taite Family. IMNZ and PPNZ would also like to acknowledge the assistance we have had from the NZ Music Commission, The Australasian Performing Right society (APRA), Jagermeister, online community Made from New Zealand and Native Tongue Music Publishing who have all lent their support and encouragement in drawing attention to this critical award.
Dylans son John says that the family are ecstatic about the new award, which acknowledges both the work of the respected journalist and great New Zealand talent. "Never mind the bollocks... here's the Taite Music Prize," he says. "Dylan and music went together like gunpowder and matches. He was always ahead of the bounce, a creative pioneer who took risks and believed in the long shots... the same qualities all great New Zealand Music has at its core. I often meet musicians who say they're gutted they never got their 'Dylan Piece' before he shuffled off this mortal coil. Perhaps this is the next best thing."
The NZ government favours a three-notice procedure to deal with illegal copying of material over computer networks Commerce Minister Simon Power said on the 16th December. Mr Power announced the release of a Cabinet Paper that outlines the basis of new legislation, which will be introduced to Parliament early next year. This follows a review of Section 92A of the Copyright Act
The main points of the proposal are:
· Right holders will be able to request that internet service providers (ISPs) give alleged infringers notice to stop infringing activity.
· The first notice will inform the account holder that infringing has occurred and is illegal. Two further notices may be sent.
· If infringing continues after three notices, the right holder may seek a penalty of up to $15,000 at the Copyright Tribunal. The amount will be based on the damage to the copyright owner.
· Where serious and continued breaches occur, right holders will be able to go to court to seek a range of remedies, including the suspension of accounts for up to six months.
· Account holders will be able to issue counter notices, and can request a hearing if they feel they should not be penalised.
Mr Power said the three-notice procedure was the key to the process.
"The procedure will both educate and warn file-sharers that unauthorised sharing of copyright works is illegal, and in turn stop a large proportion of illegal file sharing.
"A great deal of work has gone into finding a fair, effective, and credible process for the enforcement of copyright against illegal peer-to-peer file-sharers.
Mr Power said though right holders will be able to seek suspension of accounts through the courts, he expected that would happen only in cases of serious offending.
"I want to stress that account holders will have the opportunity during each of these processes to defend claims by right holders."
"This was a complex issue to work through, and industry groups, intellectual property experts, and officials worked hard to ensure the issues raised in the submissions were addressed. "I'm confident we now have a workable solution."
The public will be able to make further submissions at the select committee stage.
Further information can be found here: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+favours+three-notice+procedure+s92a
And a copy of the Cabinet Paper is available at: http://www.med.govt.nz/s92a-cabinet-paper-p2p
For her new EP “You Are Not Who You Know” extremely talented singer and bFM Drive DJ Hayley J. Hansell got herself some help from sister Coco Solid and beatmaker DJ Orphan. The EP was produced by J.Rawls and Usef Dinero from the states, as well as Hungarian producer Illegalvoice.
Auckland based four piece heavy metal band Mutagent's debut album "Final Fester" is also out now. The band met while studying at MAINZ and have been together for four years. The album took them 11 months to record. Laughton Kora produced the track "Rocket Pig", which the band hopes will stir up the NZ music scene.
Breakin Wreckwordz announce rap duo Usual Suspects' debut album 'Hire Learning'. The mainly self produced album was guest produced by Exile and contains collaborations withEthical of Kids In Space, Tyson Tyler and Arme.
Also on Breakin Wreckwordz is Tyson's new album Reality Cheque. That's finally in stores now and you might've heard his song Braggin' Rights on the radio station of your choice. He's also still looking for a job, so if you know about one suitable for him, get in touch with his record label!
For the first time Noise conference will be held during this next year's Parachute Festival! At Noise music industry professionals talk about their experiences to train emerging and existing musicians and newcomers to the business. The speakers include Joel Houston of Hillsong, Aaron Gillespie of Underoath, Leeland Mooring of Leeland, U2 concert direc tor Bruce Ramus, Solomon Olds of Family Force 5, Adam Holt of Universal, Mark Rodgers of Newworldson, Dave Dobbyn's manager Lorraine Barry and many more.
The Black Watch are coming to NZ in mid December. Okay, so they're actually an American band, but not only are they a great band, guitarist Steven Schayer also previously played for the Chills. Gang of Four's Andy Gill has likened John to My Bloody Valentine and Nick Drake's secret love child. The Black Watch will be touring New Zealand accompanied by Auckland's Surf Friends. Special bonus on the South Island will be some shows with Martin Phillips himself! Tour dates and more infos at http://www.myspace.com/theblackwatch
On F ebruary 20th 2010 Welling ton's waterfront will the location for the Jim Beam Homegrown festival again. Shihad are going to headline the Rock Stage; other bands performing are the Datsuns, The Feelers, Midnight Youth, The Checks, Liam Finn, The Mint Chicks, Luger Boa, Pluto, Cut Off Your Hands, Collapsing Cities, Bang Bang Eche, Motocade, Goodnight Nurse, Dane Rumble, The Black Seeds, Salmonella Dub, Katchafire, Ladi6, Opensouls, Minuit, Dick Johnson, Aural Trash, Tim Phin, Antiform, The Upbeats, Nick D, Sunshine Soundsystem and Manuel Bundy.
Following sell-out international gigs in Australia, the States and Europe, Fat Freddy's Drop will be touring our Shores again for their Summer Shakedown Tour. They won't be playing in any of the main centres this time, but hit classic Kiwi holiday spots instead, such as the Mount, Coroglen, Waihi, Riwaka and Mangawhai, instead.
Parihaka International Peace Festival will be headlined by Tiki Taane who will perform with a group of 40 musicians and dancers, next year! Him and his band, the Dub Soldiers, will be joined by Te Pou o Mangataawhiri, a kapa haka group that was formed in 1921. Also performing will be Billy TK, Powerhouse, Billy Te Kahika, Mahia Blackmore, Arnold Tihama, Benka Borodovsky Bordello band, Big Belly Woman, Julian Temple Band, Native Sons and Roy G & the BIVinators.
At Downstage's last Soundstage gig for 2009, Spartacus R are going to perform in the same theatre setting that sold out previous Soundstage shows this year of the likes of the Woolshed Sessions, Little Bushman, Sam F Scott and the B.O.P. and Rhian Sheehan. Spartacus R will be playing on November 15th, 7pm at Downstage in Wellington.
For the first time Laneway Festival will be coming to Auckland! Acts like Echo & the Bunnymen, Florence & The Machine, Dirty Three, The 3D's, The XX, Black Lips, N.A.S.A., Cut Off Your Hands, Family Cactus and Dear Times Waste already make it sound very tasty. Tickets are on sale already; more bands to be announced, but how much better could it possibly get?
On the 18th of December Kora are going to play in Wellington for the first time since 2006. The band promises an unforgettable night, providing what they call a "theatrical sound experience", collaborating with Strike and Sunshine Sound System's KP. Tickets are available from Real Groovy and Ticketek.
Parachute 2010 launched their brand new website where fans can download free MP3s of the artists that'll perform on next year's festival, as well as wallpapers and screensavers. Registering at the website also gets you into the draw for an iPod Nano full of free music. http://www.parachutemusic.com. The line up so far is, among others, Switchfoot, Underoath, Leeland, Hillsong United, Family Force 5, Falling Up and NewWorldSon.
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span style="font-size: x-small;"> have announced their annual christmas show for December the 5th at Whammy Bar. This year's F**K It, Its Xmas line up consists of Cobra Khan, Antagonist A.D., Kitsch, Guest DJ'S & Tourettes as MC plus a spoken word appearance. Lawrence Arabia will be going on one last tour of the country before heading over the the UK to start their world tour, promoting Lawrence Arabia's latest album 'Chant Darling', the one that contains the APRA Silver Scroll winning, catchy as song "Apple Pie Bed". Apparently he'll also play songs of the very excellent album of the Reduction Agents.
