NZ Music Awards finalists

Gin Wigmore, Dane Rumble, and The Phoenix Foundation feature strongly in the finalists list for the 2010 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

Gin and Dane Rumble are finalists in six categories and the Phoenix Foundation in five. Anika Moa and J. Williams are finalists in three catrgories each.  

The finalists were announced at a function at Auckland’s Langham Hotel on September 1. The winning artists are set to be honoured at the 45th annual Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards when the red carpet is once again rolled out at Vector Arena in Auckland on October 7.  

Behind-the-scenes work on The Phoenix Foundation’s Buffalo saw the album win three Tuis in the Technical Awards sections. MAINZ Best Producer went to the band, who self produced the album; MAINZ Best Engineer went to Lee Prebble; and Best Cover to Paul Johnston.

RIANZ CEO Campbell Smith says it was great to see a band and album making a clean sweep of the technical awards.

"Every year we expect to see Lee Prebble’s name in the shortlist, and another Best Producer win is testament to all the hard work he has done helping create some of the country’s best albums."

The Phoenix Foundation also line up in the Vodafone Album of the Year category which includes Anika Moa (Love in Motion), Dane Rumble (The Experiment), Gin Wigmore (Holy Smoke), Shapeshifter (The System is a Vampire), and The Phoenix Foundation (Buffalo).

The Phoenix Foundation, Dane Rumble and Gin are also finalists in the Vodafone Single of the Year category for their singles ‘Buffalo’, ´Cruel’ and ‘Oh My’ respectively.  J. Williams (You Got Me) and Kids of 88 (Just A Little Bit) round out the category finalists.

Also announced was the recipient of the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award – Shihad.  The band will be officially honoured at the main awards ceremony and will also be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Smith says the finalists list again shows the depth of New Zealand music.

“There’s a real mix of new talent and seasoned artists in the finalists line-up. It’s great to see people like Gin and Dane coming through strongly, but also to see bands like Dimmer and Shapeshifter, and artists like Anika and Hollie being recognised for their contribution to Kiwi music.

“Internationally there has been a real move to pop music, and this is reflected in the finalists, but what is fantastic is that all the finalists have a unique ‘Kiwi-ness’ that comes through in their music.”

Finalists: Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2010

Vodafone Album of The Year

Anika Moa – Love in Motion
Dane Rumble – The Experiment
Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke
Shapeshifter – The System Is A Vampire
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo

Vodafone Single of The Year

Dane Rumble – Cruel
Gin Wigmore – Oh My
J.Williams – You Got Me
Kids Of 88 – Just A Little Bit
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo

Steinlager Pure Best Group

Shapeshifter – The System Is A Vampire
The Checks – Alice By The Moon
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo

Best Male Solo Artist

Connan Mockasin – Please Turn Me Into The Snat
Dane Rumble – The Experiment
J.Williams – Young Love

Mazda Best Female Solo Artist

Anika Moa – Love in Motion
Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke
Hollie Smith – Humour And The Misfortune Of Others

Pacific Blue Breakthrough Artist of The Year

Artisan Guns – Autumn
Dane Rumble – The Experiment
Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke

PPNZ Best Rock Album

Dimmer – Degrees of Existence
The Checks – Alice By The Moon
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo

Best Pop Album

Anika Moa – Love in Motion
Dane Rumble – The Experiment
Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke

Best Urban / Hip Hop Album

David Dallas – Something Awesome
J.Williams – Young Love
Young Sid – What Doesn't Kill Me

Kiwi FM Best Aotearoa Roots Album

Fly My Pretties – A Story
Hollie Smith – Humour And The Misfortune Of Others
Opensouls – Standing In The Rain

C4 Best Music Video

Nathan Hickey – Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation)
Sam Peacocke – Sleepeater (Shihad)
Tim Van Dammen – Just A Little Bit (Kids Of 88)

Best Electronica Album

Bulletproof – Soundtrack To Forever
P-Money – Everything
Shapeshifter – The System Is A Vampire

Best Gospel / Christian Album

Edwin Derricutt – Three Hours South
John Michaelz – Walk on Water
Magnify – Wonderland

Best Classical Album

John Psathas – Ukiyo
NZTrio – Flourishes
Simon O’Neill – Father & Son: Wagner Scenes & Arias
Strike Percussion – Sketches

Vodafone Peoples’ Choice

Gin Wigmore
Dane Rumble
Kids of 88
Shapeshifter
Stan Walker

WINNERS OF TECHNICAL AWARDS

Best Album Cover to Paul Johnson for Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation).
MAINZ Best Engineer to Lee Prebble for Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation).
MAINZ Best Producer to The Phoenix Foundation for Buffalo.

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 7.