Top Kiwi Bands Given Chance For Int Break

Top Kiwi Bands Given Chance For International Break

The chance to boost an international music career will soon become reality for one talented emerging Kiwi band through a nationwide competition starting tomorrow.

The Air New Zealand Zephyrs Competition, running throughout New Zealand Music Month, is modelled on the airline's popular television commercial which features a young band, The Zephyrs, landing a record deal after flying to LA to play on a rooftop in front of Capitol Records. The theme for the commercial is "Being There Is Everything".

Organised by Air New Zealand together with Capitol Records, the competition is designed to find the country's favourite band from a selection of six and help that group break into the lucrative international music scene. The $34,000 prize package consists of Air New Zealand travel and a high-quality Panasonic video camera to capture the moment.

The competition follows on the heels of the release of the single from the ad, titled "Something New", sung by vocalist John Barker and written and produced by Liquid Studios. The popular single will be available from tomorrow though Sounds' music stores and played on the ZM network.

"Air New Zealand is committed to supporting the New Zealand music industry and is very excited about the Something New single release and the launch of the Air New Zealand Zephyrs Competition," says Air New Zealand Manager Marketing, Michele Teague.

"The Air New Zealand Zephyrs Competition is a real life version of what happens in Air New Zealand's band television commercial. In short, life imitating art!"

To take part in the competition, people can vote for their favourite New Zealand band from a selection of six: Blindspott, Goldenhorse, Goodshirt, Salmonella Dub, Tadpole and The Brunettes.

The band with the most votes will be deemed one of New Zealand's favourite bands and awarded $30,000 worth of Air New Zealand flights and one Panasonic DV broadcast quality video camera worth $3999.

In addition, competition voters have a chance to win a private gig performed by the winning band plus $5000 worth of Air New Zealand flights, 100 music CDs from Capitol Records and one Panasonic DV video camera ($3999).

The winning band will be announced on Wednesday, June 4 at 7.50am on the ZM radio network with the voters' draw made after 8.00am on the same day.

Competition information and entry details can be found on http://www.zephyrs.co.nz/, the "Something New" CD cover, Air New Zealand Zephyrs Competition flyers and by listening to the ZM radio network. Entry forms are also available from Air New Zealand Travel Centres, Check in counters and the Koru Lounge.

The competition will run throughout New Zealand Music Month, commencing on May 7 and closing midnight May 31.

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