Smokefreerockquest 2017 – online solo-duo finalists announed

Smokefreerockquest 2017 – online solo-duo finalists announced

The six top solo-duos who entered Smokefreerockqest online have been selected to go through to the next stage of the nationwide youth music event.

This year for the first time there was an opportunity for students who were also playing live in a band to enter as solo-duos online.

Founder and director Glenn Common said there were sixty entrants who took up the online opportunity, with the entries at the upper level reaching a very high standard.

The top six solo-duos are:

Sam Egli - New Plymouth Boys High

Erin Geraghty- ACG Sunderland (Auckland)

Ellie and Laura - Waimea College (Nelson)

Estella Romagnolli - Nelson College for Girls

Niamh Athy - Gisborne Girls' High School

Nat and Jono (Jono Stewart and Nathan Kruse) - St Margaret's College/Christ’s College (Christchurch)

The top six now submit 15 minutes of their best material for selection as national finalists; along with the top two bands and top two solo duos from 23 regions around Aotearoa-NZ.

Common said from here on the solo-duo online finalists would have to be well organised and work hard to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.

“They have to submit video footage of their original music that will be judged in August as we lead up to the national final,” he said. “This process not only demands musical ability and creativity, they also learn to work together as a group and to develop the organisation and promotional skills they’ll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene.”

The regional events for both Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats run from May 12 until July 7, 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 1 at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland, followed by the Smokefreerockquest national final on Saturday September 2.
Smokefreerockquest, powered by Rockshop, has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $16,000 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, Smokefree Vocals Award, and the People’s Choice voted by text with the opportunity to open the Smokefreerockquest national final.
Musical successes from Smokefreerockquest over its 28-year history include Broods, Leroy Clampitt, Kimbra, Aaradhna, Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Joel Little, Tiny Ruins, Marlon Williams, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Kora, Thomston, Midnight Youth, Steriogram, Phoenix Foundation, Devilskin, The Black Seeds, Bic Runga, and The Naked and Famous; Smokefree Pacifica Beats standout successes include Nesian Mystik, the only New Zealand band to ever have ten singles all certified gold or platinum.
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