18 March 2013 - 0 Comments

The finalists for the 2013 Pacific Music Awards have been announced and it’s the ladies who are racking up multiple finals spots.

Exotic Porirua songstress Aaradhna stands out for special recognition with five finals berths and she goes head to head with neo-soul singer Iva Lamkum who is in line for four gongs.

Well known for her soulful R & B voice, Aaradhna is a finalist in a new category, the New Zealand on Air Best Pacific Music Video, for her song Lorena Bobbitt produced with Tom Gould.

She’s also in the running for Best Pacific Female Artist, Nui FM Best Pacific Urban Artist and Best Pacific Music Album for her new album Treble & Reverb and the APRA Best Pacific Song for Wake Up.

Aaradhna is the first artist since the Pacific Music Awards started who has received five finals berths in the one awards ceremony.

Iva Lamkum’s 2012 album Black Eagle is a finalist in Best Pacific Album and the 26 year old Wellingtonian is also competing for Best Pacific Artist. Like Aaradhna, Iva is also up for Best Music Video for her work with Askew on the song Doo Bop, which is also in the running for Best Pacific Song.

Vince Harder joins Iva and Aaradhna in the battle for Best Pacific Music Video with his 2012 release Far From Here produced with Mark Arona and Shae Sterling.

The winner of the Best Pacific Album category is presented with a Tui and recognised at the New Zealand Music Awards later this year. 

In the NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist category, Hip Hop stalwart Savage is a finalist for his work on the 2012 album Mayhem and Miracles. It’s Savage’s sixth Pacific Music Awards finals berth and he’s up against Swiss and Vaniah Toloa for their work on Slow Wind and Tofi O Tamatane.

The Home Brew crew, winners of the Best Urban/Hip Hop Album at last year’s Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, are in the running for the Radio 531PI Best Pacific Music Group as well as for the Best Pacific Music Album. They line up against Tomorrow People in both categories.

In the Best Pacific Music Language Category church group Mangere Congregational Church of Jesus is joined by Mr Tanoa and Vaniah Toloa as they battle it out for the top spot. 

A total of 12 artists and groups have been announced as finalists by the Pacific Music Awards Trust, at a function in Auckland's Aotea Centre tonight.  The evening is held in association with the Auckland Arts Festival and is supported by ATEED, as part of the ‘Pacific As’ programme for Pacific events.

Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says, “Aotearoa has a wealth of musical talent in the pacific community. This year’s line-up shows some talented artists being recognised for their passion to produce great music. It’s also good to see the female artists taking such a prominent position with the most nominations this year.”

“The nominees this year are a great mix of talent and show us all that Pacific culture is alive and well in New Zealand”.

The awards are in their ninth year and winners are to be announced at an event celebrating and honouring Pacific music and artists at the TelstraClear Pacific Events centre on 30 May.

Tickets for the awards ceremony are available through TicketDirect. http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/ 0800 224 224
(Please note a booking fee may apply)

The full list of finalists for the Pacific Music Awards are:

BEST PACIFIC FEMALE ARTIST

Aaradhna Treble & Reverb
Iva Lamkum Black Eagle
Ria The One

NZ MUSIC COMMISSION BEST PACIFIC MALE ARTIST

Savage Mayhem & Miracles
Swiss Slow Wind
Vaniah Toloa Tofi O Tamatane

NIU FM BEST PACIFIC URBAN ARTIST

Aaradhna Treble & Reverb
Iva Lamkum Black Eagle
Swiss Slow Wind

RADIO 531PI BEST PACIFIC GROUP

Home Brew Home Brew
The Hypnotics Give It Time
Tomorrow People One

NZ ON AIR BEST PACIFIC MUSIC VIDEO

Aaradhna Lorena Bobbitt
Iva Lamkum Doo Bop
Vince Harder Far From Here

APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG           

Aaradhna Wake Up
Iva Lamkum Doo Bop
Swiss Slow Wind

TAGATA PASIFIKA BEST PACIFIC LANGUAGE

Mangere Congregational Church of Jesus Ia Outou Vivi'I
Mr Tanoa My Sweat & Tears
Vaniah Toloa Tofi O Tamatane

BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM

Aaradhna Treble & Reverb
Home Brew Home Brew
Tomorrow People One

The 2012 Pacific Music Awards are supported by the following generous sponsors:

Auckland Council, NZ On Air, APRA, NZ Music Commission, Radio 531pi, Niu FM, Tagata Pasifika, Manukau Institute of Technology and PPNZ Licensing.  Along, with support from TelstraClear Pacific, 'Pacific As' and the Auckland Arts Festival.

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