Smokefreerockquest – Whanganui full regional results
Today the winners of this year's Whanganui Smokefreerockquest competition in the band category have been announced, both winning a prize package from the Rockshop and going into the national selection pool for the event’s live national final, held at the Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland on September 12.
Progressive rock band In Business from Cullinane College and Whanganui High School took out top spot in this year’s competition. Bassist, Tomas Bidgood, said they were surprised to win.
“It feels really good to win,” says the Year 11 student. “Especially as we took out the ZM Best Song award as well after working so hard. We all come from different genres of music and combine all of our interests which gives us a unique sound. Having grown together as a band since our first Smokefreerockquest, has given us a special connection on stage and in writing new material.”
The other members of In Business are Max Hughes (drums), Christian Garratt (guitar) and Faith Solomona (vocals).
Flower of Hades from Ruapehu College took out the second spot. Both bands join the Whanganui regional solo-duo winners, Dennihe and Toa from Whanganui High School (first) and Maui Wowee from Ruapehu College (second) with the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 10 national finalists.
Chairperson and General Manager, Matt Ealand, reflected on the role played by the platform to encourage smokefree lifestyles saying: “The relationship between Smokefree and Rockquest Promotions goes back 28 years. We have seen the culture around smoking and music change over that time and that is something we are really proud to have been a part of.”
The full list of awards for Whanganui is:
1st place band - In Business (Cullinane College, Whanganui High School).
2nd place band - Flower of Hades (Ruapehu College).
3rd place band - Rhythm Vision (Whanganui High School).
1st place solo/duo - Dennihe and Toa (Whanganui High School).
2nd place solo/duo - Maui Wowee (Ruapehu College).
Smokefree Tangata Beats - Dennihe and Toa (Whanganui High School).
Musicianship Award - Imogen Maguire of Rhythm Vision (Whanganui High School).
Musicianship Award - Harvey Hughes of A.M.P. (Whanganui High School).
Smokefree Best Vocals Award – Jansen Condon Ngapo of Atlas (Whanganui High School).
APRA Lyric Award - Imogen Maguire (Whanganui High School).
ZM Best Song Award - In Business, 1st song (Cullinane College, Whanganui High School).
Smokefree Tangata Beats is run alongside Smokefreerockquest with a focus on the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific. The Smokefree Tangata Beats regional winners were announced last week, with the national finalists being announced 7 August and going on to compete at the live national finals on 11 September.
Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, $16,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package, and a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends. There is also the Musicianship Award, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyric Award, Rockshop Electronic Performance Award, Best Song Award, and Smokefree Vocals Award.
Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest include Broods, Marlon Williams, Robinson, Fazerdaze, Drax Project, Six60, Leisure, Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Joel Little, Tiny Ruins, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Chelsea Jade, Nadia Reid, Die!Die!Die!, Leroy Clampitt, Aldous Harding, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Skinny Hobos, Kimbra, Aaradhna, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga, and Balu Brigada. Smokefree Tangata Beats standout successes include Alien Weaponry, Strangely Arousing, and Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.
River City Press 13/8/20