New Zealand Music Awards 2015

Affectionately known as the Tuis, the New Zealand Music Awards took over Auckland’s Vector Arena on Thursday, with performances from Broods, Gin Wigmore, Janine & The Mixtape, Marlon Williams and Savage, and the induction of The Exponents into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. Zac Arnold was in amongst it to bring you a courtside report on the music industry’s red carpet event.

Broods have dominated this year’s NZ Music Awards, taking home four Tuis, including the coveted Album of the Year award.

The Nelson-born siblings, who also won Best Group, Best Pop Album and Radio Airplay Record of the Year, have been on a rapid rise since releasing their debut EP and album last year. Evergreen was produced by Joel Little, who is well-known for working closely with Lorde, and the album is a mix of moody alt-pop and electronica.

Speaking on their wins, Georgia Nott acknowledged everyone that had helped to make the record.

"Honestly it's just insane that our first crack at an album has got us this. We've got such an awesome, awesome support network. We're definitely the luckiest people ever." 

Last year it was Lorde who dominated headlines as she took home six Tuis for her “teen diary” Pure Heroine. This time around she scooped up the Single of the Year award for ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’ as well as the International Achievement award for the third year in a row.

Other winners include Marlon Williams who took out the awards for Best Male Solo Artist and Breakthrough Artist of the Year. The alt-country musician led the way this year with five nominations for his recently released self-titled solo debut.

His wins were "suprising and lovely", he said.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra also won the Tui for Best Alternative Album while Shihad received their 16th NZ Music Award, this time for Best Rock Album. Best Roots Album also went to Trinity Roots while Electric Wire Hustle won Best Electronica Album.

Ranea’s debut release Tihei Mauri Ora was also named Best Maori Album, while Best Classical Album went to Michael Houstoun for Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas. Janine and The Mixtape also nabbed the Best Urban/Hip-Hop Album Tui for XX.

Recorded Music CEO Damian Vaughan said it was an impressive showing from local artists.

“It’s been another exceptional year of music from our New Zealand artists with Broods an outstanding example, deservedly winning four Tuis. Internationally, New Zealand artists are making waves across the globe in a multitude of genres and that is certainly something to be proud of,” he said.

They weren’t the only ones celebrating though. The Exponents were also honoured as this year’s Legacy Award recipients and inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame. There was also a special tribute to the band, who are known for their hits ‘Why Does Love Do This To Me’ ‘Who Loves Who The Most’ and ‘Victoria’, in a performance from Tami Neilson and Dave Dobbyn.

Earlier this month, Auckland band Bespin took out this year’s Critics’ Choice Prize, which is an award that aims to acknowledge up-and-coming acts and potential NZ Music Award recipients. The band, who just released their debut EP Osiris, took home a $10,000 NZ On Air recording and music video grant, as well as mentoring sessions with “several music industry heavyweights”.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Mentos Album of the Year

Winner: Broods – Evergreen
Other finalists:
Marlon Willams – Marlon Williams
Shihad – FVEY
Six60 – Six60
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love

Vodafone Single of the Year

Winner: Lorde – ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’
Other finalists:
Avalanche City – ‘Inside Out’
Marlon Williams – ‘Dark Child’
Six60 – ‘White Lines’
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – ‘Multi-Love’

Best Group

Winner: Broods – Evergreen
Other finalists:
Shihad – FVEY
Six60 – Six60

Best Male Solo Artist

Winner: Marlon Williams – Marlon Williams
Other finalists:
Stan Walker – Truth & Soul
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love

Best Female Solo Artist

Winner: Gin Wigmore - Blood To Bone
Other finalists:
Anika Moa  - Queen At The Table
Brooke Fraser – Brutal Romantic

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Winner: Marlon Williams
Other finalists:
Devilskin
Ginny Blackmore

Best Rock Album

Winner: Shihad – FVEY
Other finalists:
Cairo Knife Fight – The Colossus
Devilskin - We Rise

The Edge Best Pop Album

Winner: Broods – Evergreen
Other finalists: Benny Tipene – Bricks
Six60 – Six60

Best Alternative Album

Winner: Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
Other finalists:
Marlon Williams - Marlon Williams
She’s So Rad – Tango

Best Urban/Hip Hop Album

Winner: Janine and The Mixtape – XX
Other finalists:
Diaz Grimm – Osiris
The Doqument – Black Canvas – Wall & Piece

Best Roots Album

Winner: Trinity Roots – Citizen
Other finalists:
Latinaotearoa – Latinaotearoa in Latinoamerica
Moana and the Tribe – Rima

Best Electronica Album

Winner: Electric Wire Hustle – Love Can Prevail
Other finalists: Shapeshifter vs The Upbeats – SSXUB
Sola Rosa – Magnetics

NZ On Air Best Music Video

Winner: Shahir Daud – ‘Cymatics’ (Nigel Stanford)
Other finalists:
Reuben Bonner – ‘Her Heart Breaks Like A Wave’ (Dictaphone Blues)
Shae Sterling – ‘Aotearoa’ (Stan Walker feat Ria Hall, Troy Kingi & Maisey Rika)

Best Maori Album

Winner: Ranea – Tihei Mauri Ora
Other finalists:
Moana & the Tribe – Rima
Whaia and The Mahician – Whaia

Best Worship Album

Winner: LIFE Worship – Through The Fire
Other finalists:
Edge Kingsland  Presents - Seven Days
We, The Revival – We, The Revival

Best Classical Album

Winner: Michael Houstoun – Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas
Other finalists:
Jack Body – Passing By
Jack Body – Songs Of Death and Desire

Highest Selling Album 

Winner: Sol3 Mio - Sol3 Mio
Other finalists:
Devilskin - We Rise
Six60 - Six60
Broods - Evergreen
Lorde - Pure Heroine

Highest Selling Single  

Winner: Savage and Timmy Trumpet – ‘Freaks’
Other finalists:
Six60 – ‘Special’
Lorde – ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’      
Broods – ‘Mother & Father’       
Six60 – ‘So High’

NZ ON AIR Radio Airplay Record Of The Year

Winner: Broods – ‘Mother & Father’
Other finalists:
Lorde – ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’      
Six60 – ‘Special’
Benny Tipene – ‘Step On Up’    
Broods – ‘L.A.F.’

International Achievement       

Lorde
Savage

Vodafone People’s Choice Award

Winner: Six60
Other finalists:
Broods
Lorde
Sol3 Mio
Stan Walker