Vodafone NZ Music Awards 2009 kick off

RIANZ announces the first finalists for the 2009 awards, with Fat Freddy’s Drop, Don McGlashan and Sean Donnelly, Sola Rosa and the Mint Chicks lining up for the Technical Awards section.

The first round of finalists in the 44th instalment of the Tui awards has been announced – and features some of the biggest names in New Zealand music today.

The behind-the-scenes technical wizardry of engineers, producers and album cover artists is set to be honoured on September 2.

There will be three Technical Awards presented - Best Album Cover, MAINZ Best Engineer and MAINZ Best Producer.

The finalists in the Best Album Cover category are: Otis Frizzell for Dr Boondigga and the Big BW (Fat Freddy's Drop); The Mint Chick’s Ruban Nielson for Screens (The Mint Chicks); and Sam Yong for The Brave Don't Run (Midnight Youth)

In the MAINZ Best Engineer category, the finalists are: Andrew Buckton for The Brave Don’t Run (Midnight Youth); Chris Faiumu (Mu) for Dr Boondigga and the Big BW (Fat Freddy's Drop); and Lee Prebble for When the Fever Takes Hold (Spartacus R).

The finalists for MAINZ Best Producer are: Sola Rosa’s Andrew Spraggon for Get it Together (Sola Rosa); Don McGlashan and Sean Donnelly for Marvellous Year (Don McGlashan & The Seven Sisters); and Fat Freddy’s Drop for Dr Boondigga and the Big BW (Fat Freddy's Drop).

RIANZ CEO Campbell Smith says: “We are gearing up for another exciting year for the music awards, and it’s always great to kick things off by honouring those who do the crucial behind-the-scenes work that makes Kiwi music shine.

“The hours of work in the studio from recording engineers and producers, and creativity from artists who design amazing covers give our music releases that special polish – and it’s great to award these efforts.”

The winners will be announced on 2 September at the Langham Hotel in Auckland where RIANZ will host the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards Finalists’ Announcement and Technical Awards presentation.

The recipient of the third annual The New Zealand Herald Legacy Award will also be announced on September 2. The winner of this will be honoured at the main awards on October 8 and will also be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

The finalists for the main awards – now in their 44th year - will be revealed at the same function in Auckland on September 2. The main awards categories are:

Album of the Year
Vodafone Single of the Year
Steinlager Pure Best Group
Best Male Solo Artist
Mazda Best Female Solo Artist
Pacific Blue Breakthrough Artist of the Year
C4 Best Music Video
PPNZ Best Rock Album
42Below Best Urban / Hip Hop Album
Best Dance / Electronica Album
Kiwi FM Best Aotearoa Roots Album
Best Gospel / Christian Album
Best Classical Album
International Achievement Award
Vodafone Peoples’ Choice Award
New Zealand Herald Legacy Award
Highest Selling Album
Highest Selling Single
NZ on Air Radio Airplay of the Year

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 8.

ENDS