25 September 2020 - 0 Comments

Red Wav from Aorere College and Marcellin College in Auckland have just been crowned the winners of the Smokefree Rockquest National Final, taking them one step closer on the path to musical success. This year’s event was streamed live as an online showcase.

As Smokefree Rockquest band winners, Red Wav receives $10,000 in musical equipment from the Rockshop, plus a $10,000 NZ On Air New Music Single Grant Recording and Video Grant, a branding package from Imaginary Friends, and promotion, mentoring and on-going support from the Smokefree Rockquest team.

The judges on the night were Jeff Newton (NZ on Air), Ross Flahive (Creative Director ZM/Flava) and Heidi (Mushroom Music Publishing), Hamish Jackson (NZ Rockshop), and musicians Elizabeth Stokes (The Beths) and Julia Deans.

Julia Deans was blown away by the winning band saying "Red Wav have their whole performance schtick down, from the intro right down to after the last beat. And holy moly, that rhythm section."

The full line-up of Red Wav is Jesica Siva (vocals), Andrew Faiai (keyboard), Culistofa Petelo (drums), Gene Sipaoa (bass), Taula Timoteo (harmonica, synthesizer), and Jes Silva (keyboard and percussion).

The winner of the Solo/Duo Category went to siblings Ben and Brody (Ben and Brody Glanfield) from Rangitoto College in Auckland, winning $3,000 of musical equipment from the Rockshop, a $10,000 NZ On Air New Music Single Grant Recording and Video Grant, a branding package from Imaginary Friends, and mentoring and on-going support from the Smokefree Rockquest team.

Brody says that the duo have bonded strongly over music, saying “for us music is a passion. When we work together everything comes easy.” 

About solo/duo winners Ben and Brody, Ross Flahive said they “are the whole package, and something we haven't seen yet from another New Zealand act yet. Their songs are well structured with catchy hooks, nice harmonies and well thought out lyrics. Their performance reflects an act that is ready to go."

The full list of awards announced at the national final is:  

1st place band: Red Wav, from Aorere College and Marcellin College

2nd place band: Haven, from Wakatipu High School

3rd place band: Sandtrap, from Rangitoto College

1st place solo-duo: Ben and Brody, from Rangitoto College

2nd place solo/duo: Harry Mason, from Havelock North High School

3rd place solo-duo: Helena, from Hutt Valley High School

The ZM Best Song Award: Ben and Brody, from Rangitoto College

The Rockshop Electronic-assisted Performance Award: Helena, from Hutt Valley High School

Musicianship award for outstanding musicianship: Bella Bavin from Ragaire, and Harrison Maguire from Haven

National APRA lyric award: Ruby Aitkenhead and Ella Whibley, from Gisborne Girls HS for their song Round and Round

Smokefree Best Vocals award: Kainoa Ogilvie, from Sandtrap 

Entrants in Smokefree Rockquest competed in their regions over winter from Invercargill to Whangarei. The national finalists were selected from videos sent by the regional winners and judged by a panel from the NZ music industry.

Musical successes from Smokefree Rockquest over its 30-year history include Broods, Leroy Clampitt, Kimbra, Aaradhna, OpShop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Kids of 88, Die! Die! Die!, Joel Little, Tiny Ruins, Marlon Williams, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Chelsea Jade, Nadia Reid, Aldous Harding, Steriogram, The Phoenix Foundation, Devilskin, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga and The Naked and Famous. 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.

Photos Credit: Josh Edmonds.

Red Wav

Ben & Brody

Haven

Harry Mason

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