The finalists for the Taite Music Prize have been announced, and they're some of RNZ Music's favourite artists. The prize recognises outstanding creativity in an album or EP. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at Auckland's Civic Theatre on Tuesday, April 17.
Eight contenders, but only one winner. Photo: Image: Supplied/RNZ
The Taite Music Prize recognises outstanding creativity in an album or EP. It's named for respected music journalist, the late Dylan Taite. The winning artist will receive a cash prize of $10,000 and recording time at Red Bull Studios in Auckland.
Skip to: More about this year's finalists.
The eight albums in contention for the 2018 Taite Music Prize are:
- Nadia Reid - Preservation
- Aldous Harding - Party
- Grayson Gilmour - Otherness
- Fazerdaze - Morningside
- TEEKS -The Grapefruit Skies EP
- Kane Strang - Two Hearts and No Brain
- Mermaidens - Perfect Body
- The Bads - Losing Heroes
The eight finalists were selected from a long-list of 92 nominations, which were submitted by independent and major record labels. The shortlist was decided by a group of Independent Music NZ members (the industry body that administers the prize), as well as 10 outside judges, including musicians, music journalists and music industry personnel.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony at Auckland's Civic Theatre on Tuesday, April 17.
RNZ Music will be streaming the event live on April 17 from 7pm.
Alongside the main prize, two additional awards will be presented: the Classic Record Award and the Best Independent Debut Award, which celebrates new talent. Finalists include:
- Kendall Elise - I Didn’t Stand A Chance
- L.A.B. - L.A.B.
- Strangely Arousing - Strangely Arousing
- Daniel McClelland - Anxious Heart
- The Miltones - The Miltones
More about this year's finalists:
Aldous Harding
Aldous Harding performs 'Party' live at RNZ:
Related content:
- The Mixtape: Aldous Harding
- Inside the world of Aldous Harding
- The Sampler: Party by Aldous Harding
- Aldous Harding performs 'Swell Does the Skull' live for RNZ Music
- NZ LIVE: Aldous Harding 'Horizon'
Fazerdaze
Fazerdaze performs live from her home studio/bedroom in Grey Lynn:
Related content:
Grayson Gilmour
We visit Grayson Gilmour at his studio in Wellington:
Related content:
- Grayson Gilmour performs ‘Hundred Waters’ live
- Grayson Gilmour performs ‘Lichtung’ live at The Others’ Way Festival 2017
- The Sampler: Otherness by Grayson Gilmour
Kane Strang
Kane Strang – ‘Two Hearts and No Brain’ live at the Roseneath Long Hall:
Related content:
- Kane Strang: an interview and live set for The Wireless
- The Sampler: Two Hearts and No Brain by Kane Strang
Mermaidens
'Tastes Like It Sounds' - Mermaidens describe what their music would be like if it were food:
Related content:
- Mermaidens: an interview and live set for The Wireless
- A week in the life of Mermaidens
- NZ Live: Mermaidens – ‘Cold Skin’
- Audio: Mermaidens - Live At The Others Way Festival
Nadia Reid
NZ Live | Nadia Reid - 'Preservation':
Related content:
- Anatomy Of A Scroll: Nadia Reid, 'Richard'
- NZ LIVE: Nadia Reid 'Call the Days'
- The Sampler: Preservation by Nadia Reid
TEEKS
Teeks performs 'Wash Over Me' live:
Related content:
- Teeks performs 'If Only' live
- NZ Festival Review: Teeks and Ria Hall
- The Sampler: The Grapefruit EP by Teeks
- Teeks: heart and so much soul
The Bads
The Bads Photo: supplied
