The behind-the-scenes heroes of NZ music were celebrated last night at the fifth annual AMA Artisan Awards. Winners included producer Josh Fountain, known for his work with BENEE, and engineer Simon Gooding who was recognised for his work with Reb Fountain.
Due to the uncertainty created by COVID-19, the 2020 Artisan Awards were presented at a pre-recorded event, which was broadcast on THREE last night.
One of Aotearoa’s most in-demand producers Josh Fountain won Best Producer for the second year running. Josh has worked with BENEE on some of her biggest hits, as well as with 2016 Best Male Solo Artist MAALA and 2020 finalist Paige.
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Taking out Best Engineer for the second time was Simon Gooding for his work on Reb Fountain’s self-titled album, which is up for three Tui at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards on Sunday.
First time Artisan Award nominee Anahera Parata received the Tui for Best Music Video for her powerful and moving video for SWIDT’s track ‘Bunga’.
Wellington-based artist Lily Paris West won best Recognised for her work on Mermaidens’ cover art for Look Me In The Eye with the Best Album Artwork gong.
Manager of the Year was presented by the Music Managers Forum (MMF) to BENEE’s manager Paul McKessar from CRS Management.
For the past 15 years he has been a director of CRS Music Management and currently manages several high-profile artists in addition to BENEE, including Miss June and Brooke Fraser.
The Aotearoa Music Awards take place on Sunday, November 15 at Auckland’s Spark Arena and will be broadcast live on The Edge TV from 7pm and continue on Three from 8.30pm.
2020 Artisan Award Winners
Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa | Massey University Best Producer
- WINNER: Josh Fountain
- Brad Kora – L.A.B III (L.A.B)
- CHAII & Frank Keys – Lightswitch (CHAII)
Te Kaipukaha Toa | Best Engineer
- WINNER: Simon Gooding – Reb Fountain (Reb Fountain)
- Lee Prebble – Manawa Wera (Ria Hall)
- Lee Prebble & Ara Adams-Tamatea – L.A.B III (L.A.B)
Te Puoro Ataata Toa | NZ On Air Best Music Video
- WINNER: Anahera Parata – ‘Bunga’ (SWIDT)
- Callum Devlin & Annabel Kean – ‘I'm Not Getting Excited’ (The Beths)
- Connor Pritchard – ‘All Your Ships Have Sailed’ (Troy Kingi)
Te Toi Ataata Pukaemi Toa | Best Album Artwork
- WINNER: Lily Paris West – Look Me In The Eye (Mermaidens)
- Karin Canzek - Reb Fountain (Reb Fountain)
- Mike Braid - The Brightest Flame (Jeremy Redmore)
Kaiwhakahaere Puoro o te Tau | Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year
-
WINNER: Paul McKessar (CRS Management)
- BENEE, Miss june, Brooke Fraser
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Dan Woolston (Richmond Music)
- Montell2099, MELODOWNZ, SACHI, SmokeyGotBeatz, Trey Bond
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Nicole Thomas & Paula Yeoman (NicNak Media Ltd)
- Theia, Chores, Paige, Abby Wolfe, & Neko
