Smokefreerockquest – Nelson solo duo and band heats results

Smokefreerockquest – Nelson solo duo and band heats results

Blenheim teenager Cam Dawson may be the next big Smokefreerockquest success story after taking out the Nelson regional solo-duo title at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night.

Cam is boarding at Garin College this year to focus on his music, and after last night’s win will be working hard to better his second placing in the solo duo section of the Smokefreerockquest 2014 national final.

Cam, who is blind, says Smokefreerockquest has taught him a lot about music.

“I have always believed the competition is a great opportunity,” he says. “I do it because it is such a good vibe, plus I love music and I love people - with Smokefreerockquest you get both.”

Tegen Fisher from Waimea College placed second. These two solo-duos now put 15 mins of their best material together to submit for selection as national finalists.

Founder and director Glenn Common said the standard at the heats just keeps going up as entrants get more support for contemporary music from their schools and have access to on line information resources.

“Between now and the regional final they go through all the aspects that make Smokefreerockquest and Pacifica Beats such valuable learning experiences for young people,” he said. “The 12 bands going on to the finals need to practise hard, craft their set, get their supporters rallied and make good use of networking opportunties and social media to promote themselves and their achievements.”

The bands selected to go on to the Nelson regional final next Friday 20 May, 7pm at the Theatre Royal are:

Outlet Nelson College
Acoustic Knot Waimea College

The Padd Brittz Motueka High School

Lane 3 Nelson College For Girls

The Hoard Golden Bay High School

Coastal Nelson College For Girls

Motion Garin College

RELM Waimea College

Tetra Nelson College For Girls

Future Class Garin College

Slouch Couch Nayland College

Equinox Nelson College for Girls & Garin College

The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica beats run from May 13 until July 2, with the top regional bands and solo/duos submitting video footage for selection to play off at the Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final on Friday September 23 at the Raye Freedman Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest national on Saturday September 24.

Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package’ a ‘Decent Exposure’ campaign on The Edge TV, a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends.

There is also the MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) Scholarship for Outstanding Musicianship, the APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award, the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award, the Dominate Hair Style Award and the People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.

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