Smokefree Pacifica Beats 2016 – top 9 announced

Smokefree Pacifica Beats 2016 – top 9 announced

Musical ability, stage energy and Maori or Pacifica cultural elements have taken eight high school musical acts to the finals of New Zealand’s only live, nationwide, original music youth contest with a Pacifica twist.

Smokefree Pacifica Beats reflects the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand, with entrants required to have Maori/Polynesian language, instruments, dance or movement in their performance. This year there were 90 entries competing from Whangarei to Christchurch, and also entrants who attended mentoring workshops in Whangarei, Gisborne and Christchurch.

Judges spokeswoman Anika Moa said it was a huge honour to be a part of the judging process this year: “There are so many talented rangatahi in Aotearoa and I feel so happy to help in the nurturing and mentoring stage,” she said “Kia kaha ngā rangatahi I tenei wa!”

The top six bands are
Alien Weaponry, Northland
This 3-piece metal band with kapa haka influences is from Bream Bay College and Otamatea High School. The members are brothers Lewis de Jong (guitar/vocals) and Henry de Jong (drums), and Ethan Trembath (bass). The band is also in the Smokefreerockquest finals.

Critical Damage, Auckland

This 5-piece band is from Western Springs College. The members are Loxmyn McDonald-Ness (lead vocals & saxophone), Harrison Scholes (bass), James MacEwan (brass & backing vocals), Theodore Salmon (lead guitar), Isaac Keating (drums) and Bickio O'Callahan (keyboard & brass).

Nesian Vibes, Auckland
Four boys and two girls make up this Manuwera High School band. The members are PJ Tele'a (vocals), Wyona Murray (vocals), Christina Lilomaiava (vocals), Joseph Oti-George (guitar), Christmas Ale (bass), Moses Taala (drums).

Kurawaka, East Coast
These three girls and their male guitarist attend TKKM O Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti in Hicks Bay, and won the East Coast Smokefree Pacifica Beats Award. The band members are Ruawhaitiri Mahue (guitar), Arahia Moana-Te Purei (drums and backing vocals), Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne (lead vocals), Hinemaia Dewes (bass & backing vocals).

Wahine Toa, East Coast
Wahine Toa is from Gisborne Girls’ High School and placed second in the East Coast Smokefreerockquest final. The band members are Samantha Booth (vocals), Paisley Maynard-Day (lead guitar), Rongomai Callaghan (vocals), Stoney Stevens (bass) and Waimiria Coffey (vocals).

Fuzhun, Canterbury

This eight-piece ‘island vibe reggae’ band from Shirley Boys’ High School incorporates pacifica movement and dance into their performance. The members are Gideon Valavala (lead guitar & vocals), Michael Mose (backing vocals), Temuera Hay (rhythm guitar), Toa Osai (bass), Tasipale Valavala (drums), Josh Mosa’ati (brass/keyboard), John Lauvao (backing vocals), and Keenan Jarvis (vocals). Fuzhun also won the Smokefree Pacifica Beats Award in Christchurch.

And the top three solo duos are:

Huia and Zaia, Northland

Huia & Zaia are two cousins from Whangarei who won the Smokefreerockquest solo-duo title for Northland. Izaia Tilialo does Correspondence School and Huia Shortland is from Te Kapehu Whetu Teina. They have been singing and playing guitar together for two years.

Blessed, Auckland
Nicola Nimo and Henry A’Pe are Year 12 students from Manurewa High School who have played together in bands before, and formed the duo Blessed in April. Nicola plays guitar and sings, while Henry is the lead singer. They describe their style as R&B and believe their strength lies in getting emotion across in their songs.

Rose Campbell, East Coast

Rose Campbell is from Wairoa College. She describes her sound as R&B and says she really enjoys performing in front of other people. She has been writing her own music for three years and says it is great ‘because I can just say what I’m feeling’.

The Smokefree Pacifica Beats national final is on Friday September 23 at the Raye Freedman Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest national onSaturday September 24. Start time 7pm, tickets from iTICKET.

Smokefree Pacifica Beats has an impressive list of successes, most notably Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand group ever to have 10 singles all go gold or platinum.

The Smokefree Pacifica Beats prize list includes a $10,000 NZ on Air song and video recording package, $4,500 in musical equipment from NZ Rockshops, the MAINZ $4800 Musicianship Scholarship; and cash prizes for the top solo duo, Smokefree Mana Wahine, best vocals, APRA lyrics award, NZ Music Commission best song and the native reo award

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