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Music News - Smokefreerockquest launch tomorrow
10 May 2011 - 0 Comments
New Zealand’s only nationwide all original, live youth music competition launches on May 11, with the expectation of topping last year’s record 800 entrants.
Smokefreerockquest founder and director Glenn Common says it’s appropriate that the launch for the 24th year is in New Zealand Music Month.
“Smokefreerockquest is right at the heart of kiwi music,” he said. “It has paved the path to mainstream success for many bands and artists, such as Midnight Youth, Opshop, Evermore, the Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Bic Runga, The Checks and Elemeno P.”
Common said there are three key factors that have made Smokefreerockquest a talent feeder for the music industry.
“The emphasis we put on original music has won the respect and credibility of the industry with its track record of turning out not just performers, but also songwriters,” he said. “We’re also truly nationwide –we’ll be staging 28 events in town halls and regional theatres from Invercargill to Whangarei, and thirdly we’re live, this year every single entrant has the inspirational experience of playing on stage under lights to a mosh-pit full of their peers.”
Auckland new-wave pop duo Kids of 88 won Smokefreerockquest in 2004 as Incursa. Vocalist Sam McCarthy says the competition was the push that took he and Jordan Arts to success:
“Smokefreerockquest gave us something to aim for, it also created an opportunity to perform our musical ideas in front of a zealous crowd, on a proper stage and through a decent PA, something we'd never been able to do outside of our parents’ garage,” he said. “On top of that, the competitive nature of the event pushed us to be as creative as possible and write songs that were vibrant and immediate, something that represented us as young people.”
An invitation only media and industry launch will be held at the Auckland Rock Shop on May 11, with guest performances by Ivy Lies, Massad and last year’s winners, The Good Fun.
Smokefreerockquest regional events this year will start in the early afternoon, with a call back of the top eight contenders in the evening, and a guest band performance while the final judging is done. In Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin each event will include the Smokefreerockquest Circus, an expo-style addition to the main stage with workshops, hands-on displays and give-aways.
The first regional events for the year are in Northland, Nelson and Whanganui on 21 May, with 28 events continuing across the country until early August. Christchurch bands are being given an extended deadline for entries to allow for the effects of the earthquake on schools and students.
The top regional bands go on to the national final, to be held this year in the new 5000-seat Claudelands Arena in Hamilton on 17 September. The prize package is designed as a big helping hand into the music industry. It includes a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth $10,000, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, musical gear to the value of $10,000 from NZ Rockshops, recording time at York St Studio, radio promotional support for a single, the Edge airplay award with the opportunity to be played on radio and TV. There is also the Mainz Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, the Apra Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award and the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award.
Smokefreerockquest founder and director Glenn Common says it’s appropriate that the launch for the 24th year is in New Zealand Music Month.
“Smokefreerockquest is right at the heart of kiwi music,” he said. “It has paved the path to mainstream success for many bands and artists, such as Midnight Youth, Opshop, Evermore, the Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Bic Runga, The Checks and Elemeno P.”
Common said there are three key factors that have made Smokefreerockquest a talent feeder for the music industry.
“The emphasis we put on original music has won the respect and credibility of the industry with its track record of turning out not just performers, but also songwriters,” he said. “We’re also truly nationwide –we’ll be staging 28 events in town halls and regional theatres from Invercargill to Whangarei, and thirdly we’re live, this year every single entrant has the inspirational experience of playing on stage under lights to a mosh-pit full of their peers.”
Auckland new-wave pop duo Kids of 88 won Smokefreerockquest in 2004 as Incursa. Vocalist Sam McCarthy says the competition was the push that took he and Jordan Arts to success:
“Smokefreerockquest gave us something to aim for, it also created an opportunity to perform our musical ideas in front of a zealous crowd, on a proper stage and through a decent PA, something we'd never been able to do outside of our parents’ garage,” he said. “On top of that, the competitive nature of the event pushed us to be as creative as possible and write songs that were vibrant and immediate, something that represented us as young people.”
An invitation only media and industry launch will be held at the Auckland Rock Shop on May 11, with guest performances by Ivy Lies, Massad and last year’s winners, The Good Fun.
Smokefreerockquest regional events this year will start in the early afternoon, with a call back of the top eight contenders in the evening, and a guest band performance while the final judging is done. In Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin each event will include the Smokefreerockquest Circus, an expo-style addition to the main stage with workshops, hands-on displays and give-aways.
The first regional events for the year are in Northland, Nelson and Whanganui on 21 May, with 28 events continuing across the country until early August. Christchurch bands are being given an extended deadline for entries to allow for the effects of the earthquake on schools and students.
The top regional bands go on to the national final, to be held this year in the new 5000-seat Claudelands Arena in Hamilton on 17 September. The prize package is designed as a big helping hand into the music industry. It includes a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth $10,000, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, musical gear to the value of $10,000 from NZ Rockshops, recording time at York St Studio, radio promotional support for a single, the Edge airplay award with the opportunity to be played on radio and TV. There is also the Mainz Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, the Apra Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award and the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award.
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