NZ music technical awards finalists

The backroom wizards of New Zealand music are set to be recognised in the technical section of the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards on September 3. The three technical awards are for Best Album Cover, Best Engineer and Best Producer. Tiki Taane (pictured), Anika Moa and Liam Finn are among the finalists.

Awards spokesperson Campbell Smith says the awards honour those who add the finishing touches to albums.

“Again, the depth of talent in our creative ranks shines through, with many of our top artists being named finalists in these categories."

The finalists in the Best Album Cover category are: Barny Bewick for Keep Me On Your Side (Goodnight Nurse); Liam Finn for I'll Be Lightning (Liam Finn); and Tim Gummer for Inland (Michael Houstoun).

In the Best Engineer category, the finalists are: Andre Upston for In Swings The Tide by Anika Moa; Lee Prebble for Happy Ending by The Phoenix Foundation; and Tiki Taane & Evan Short for Past, Present, Future by Tiki Taane.

The finalists for Best Producer are: Anika Moa for In Swings The Tide (Anika Moa); Lee Prebble for Happy Ending (The Phoenix Foundation); and Tiki Taane for Past, Present, Future (Tiki Taane).

The winners will be announced at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards Finalists’ Announcement and Technical Awards presentation on September 3 at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

The recipient of the second-ever The New Zealand Herald Legacy Award will also be announced September 3. The winner of this will be honoured at the main awards on October 8 and will also be inducted into the RIANZ Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

The finalists for the main awards – now in their 43rd year - will be revealed at the same function in Auckland on September 3. The main awards categories are:

Nokia Album of the Year

Vodafone Single of the Year

Steinlager Pure Best Group

Best Male Solo Artist

Mazda Best Female Solo Artist

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

C4 Best Music Video

Vodafone People’s Choice

Best Rock Album

Best Urban / Hip Hop Album

Best Aotearoa Roots Album

Best Dance / Electronica Album

Best Maori Album

Best Gospel / Christian Album

Best Classical Album

No finalists are announced for the Highest Selling NZ Single, Highest Selling NZ Album and the New Zealand on Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year awards. These, along with the International Achievement award – which is judged by the RIANZ Board and awarded at the Board’s discretion – will be announced at the main awards on October 8.

13/08/08