24 January 2020 - 0 Comments
The Taite Music Prize highlights outstanding New Zealand albums released in the past year. The award is open to all genres of music and judged on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label.
IMNZ General Manager, Dylan Pellett says, "IMNZ are always very proud and excited to present the Taite Music Prize, to acknowledge the depth and breadth of musical talent in New Zealand. It’s an honour to pay tribute to the artistic works that are created each year to enrich our souls, make us think and move us forward on our respective journeys. I look forward to the award ceremony which has proven to be a great night out over the years!"
The eponym for the awards is the late Dylan Taite, one of the New Zealand’s most respected TV music journalists. He became known for his Liverpudlian wry wit and his unabashed chutzpah-love of music. Dylan’s unique style captured some rare interviews over the decades. Interviews with The Sex Pistols, Deep Purple, and the career-defining Bob Marley are still referenced today.
Dylan’s son, John Taite comments, “The Taite Music Prize is designed to reward those curious souls brave enough to take musical risks. Their experimentation gives others the confidence to try something new. That was what Dad stood for. Dylan was always focused on talent. ...whether that talent was destined for popular success didn't really interest him so much."
Any New Zealand album released during the calendar year of 2019 is eligible for nomination for the Taite Music Prize 2020. The winner receives a newly increased cash prize of $12,500, thanks to Recorded Music NZ. Red Bull Studios Auckland also offers the winner free recording time at their facilities and a year’s supply of products.
A voting academy of all current members of IMNZ, musicians, and music industry personnel vote to produce the shortlisted finalist albums. An independent panel debates and scrutinises the shortlisted albums to decide the winner. That panel comprises musicians, journalists and music industry professionals with a wide variety of different professional backgrounds and personal tastes.
The announcement of the winner will happen in Auckland at Auckland's Q Theatre on 20th April 2020.
The ceremony also includes the award presentation of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record. This award acknowledges one New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. These records, whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album, have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history.
Also returning in 2020 is the Auckland Live - Best Independent Debut award celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2000 cash prize plus a live performance slot programmed at Auckland Live.
The newest award, Independent Spirit Award returns to recognise and celebrate a New Zealand person, someone who is passionate about NZ music; ahead of the game in creativity, diversity and imagination;
and has dedicated themselves to helping other artists or music people to grow and find their own unique pathways. The annual recipient is determined by the Board of IMNZ;
For more detail on specific eligibility and nomination forms please visit: http://www.indies.co.nz.
Nominations close 5.00pm on 7th February 2018.
The Taite Music Prize
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air / The Taite Family
Award Partners: Auckland Live
Event Partners: Q Theatre
Supporting Partners: Panhead Breweries / NZ Music Commission / APRA AMCOS / Media Arts Lawyers / Red Bull Studios Auckland / Commotion Ltd. / McCarthy Design
Media Partners: RNZ Music / 95bFM
Charity Partners: MusicHelps
Previous winners of The Taite Prize:
2010 - Lawrence Arabia Chant Darling (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 - Ladi6 - The Liberation Of (What? Music)
2012 - Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)
2013 – SJD - Elastic Wasteland (Round Trip Mars)
2014 – Lorde - Pure Heroine (Universal Music NZ)
2015 – Jakob – Sines (Shoot The Freak)
2016 – Silicon - Personal Computer (Weird World/Domino Recordings)
2017 - Street Chant - Hauora (Arch Hill Recordings)
2018 - Aldous Harding - Party (Flying Nun Records / 4AD)
2019 - Avantdale Bowling Club - Avantdale Bowling Club (Years Gone By)
Previous Winners of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record:
2013 – Gordons – Gordons (Flying Nun)
2014 – Various Artists – AK79 (Ripper Records)
2015 – Herbs – What’s Be Happen? (Warrior Records)
2016 – Upper Hutt Posse – E Tu (Jayrem Records)
2017 - The Clean - Boodle Boodle Boodle (Flying Nun)
2018 - Headless Chickens - Stunt Clown (Flying Nun)
2019 - Moana and the Moahunters - Tahi (Southside)
Previous Winners of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut:
2017 - Merk - Swordfish (self released)
There are currently no comments for this article. Please log in to add new comments.