Ōtaki band Te Paamu could be New Zealand’s next big musical find after the Smokefree Rockquest announced the top eight bands to play off the national final at Hamilton’s Founders Theatre on September 11.
Te Paamu have progressed to the final eight in the nationwide contest which this year had 3000 entrants, 23 regional finals, a record 800 bands, with the eight finalists covering a range of musical genres and a regional spread across New Zealand.
Along with Te Paamu two Waikato bands feature in the top eight – they are Dinosaur Goes Rawr (DGR) and The Good Fun. Other finalists are Custard Bear from Canterbury, the Peasants of Eden from Nelson, two Auckland singer songwriters, Kriston Batistich and Massad Barakat-Devine, and Bay of Plenty four piece Malcolm Jack.
“The quality of music in this competition just keeps getting better and better and I can’t wait to see some of these acts on tour,” said Op Shop drummer Bobby Kennedy.
And Tania Deans from NZ on Air said the final eight made another great line up for 2010: “It is going to be a great night in Hamilton – I am very excited about seeing these bands live.”
Prizes for the national winner this year include a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth $10,000, 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 The Edge, video play on youth music channel C4, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, a photo shoot sponsored by Schick and a promotional package from Myspace New Zealand. There is also the Mainz Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, The Apra Lyric Award, Lowdown Best Song Award and the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award.
“If the national winner makes the most of the opportunity there is almost certain success in the Kiwi music industry,” Smokefree Rockquest director Glenn Common said. “You just have to look at our track record to see the influence the event has.”
