Folk Tui finalists announced

30 November, 2012

Folk Tui finalists announced

Auckland artists have taken two of the three finals berths for New Zealand’s Best Folk Album of 2013.

Auckland-based solo artist Brenda Liddiard and alt-country group Great North join Wellington-based duo French For Rabbits in the line-up, announced today by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).

Brenda Liddiard’s album ‘Box Of Memories’ is described as a collection of uniquely expressive, heartfelt and sincere songs. London-born Brenda, who now lives in Auckland, has toured the album extensively impressing audiences with intimate shows throughout the North Island.

Great North secures a finalist berth for its sophomore album “Halves”, a successor to the band’s popular debut album “Newfoundland”. The critically acclaimed set reached the Top 20 on the RIANZ Official New Zealand Music Chart in 2012.

In “Halves”, Great North’s distinctive alt-country sound is used to create an unconventional collection of love songs. Great North dispenses with tales of infatuation and heartbreak, instead examining more meaningful and quiet rivers of relationships for a taste of something new.

French For Rabbits released debut EP ‘Claimed by the Sea’ in March through the Wellington music collective ‘Home Alone Music’. Strong alternative radio airplay of the album and a growing fan base has resulted in a Best Folk Album Tui nomination for the duo. Vocalist Brooke Singer and jazz guitarist John Fitzgerald use nautical-themed language to examine stories of longing and regret in a stunning debut set.

RIANZ managing director Chris Caddick says he is highly impressed with this year’s line-up.

“All three finalists have recorded great albums that really do the folk genre proud. Once again the finalists have set the judges an unenviable task in picking a winner. Sincere congratulations to each of them.”

The Tui for the Best Folk Album 2013 is being presented at the 40th annual Auckland Folk Festival in Kumeu (West Auckland) following the ‘Tui Finalists Concert’ on the evening of 27 January, 2013.

Online ticket sales for the 2013 festival are open now. For more information visit the Auckland Folk Festival website: www.aucklandfolkfestival.co.nz

NOTE:
The Tui for Best Folk Album 2013 is for recordings released in the 12 months to September 2012. The Folk category was introduced to the Awards in 1984.

Recent previous winners of the Tui for Best Folk Album
• 2007 – Phil Garland for his 18th album ‘Southern Odyssey’
• 2008 – Dunedin trio Delgirl for the debut album ‘Two, Maybe Three, Days Ride’
• 2009 – Chris Prowse for ‘Trouble On The Waterfront”
• 2010 – Auckland-based bluegrass quartet Wires & Wood for ‘Over The Moon’
• 2011 – Amiria Grenell for ‘Three Feathers’

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