In it’s inaugural year the Taite Music Prize was won by Lawrence Arabia for his album Chant Darling. 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 – Chant Darling is an excellent album that fitted this criteria well.

James Milne aka Lawrence Arabia says of his win a few months on: "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."

The nominated finalist albums will be selected by votes from all IMNZ members and a twenty person judging group - comprising musicians, record label representatives, music journalists and radio staff. There will then be a second group of ten music judges that will decide the final winner.

The judges will make their decision based entirely on the music on the album. 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 in April 2011.

Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) and Phonographic Performances New Zealand (PPNZ) are the principal music industry supporters of the Taite Music Prize in conjunction with the Taite family. Other sponsors include the NZ Music Commission, NZonAir, The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), Native Tongue Music Publishing and Jagermeister

Any New Zealand album released during 2010 is eligible for nomination for the Taite Music Prize. Nominations close on 21st of January 2011.

For rules and eligibility criteria please check this link

To nominate an artist please check this link

For all media enquiries, image and interview requests please contact:

Helene Ravlich
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+64 021 767 133