Young Musicians Forge Success

Four students from Waimea College are on their way towards career success in
the New Zealand music industry, as this year¹s Nelson regional winners in
the Smokefreerockquest.

First place went to Stiggma, with Brassica from Nelson College second, at
the Nelson finals in front of a crowd of around 1200 at the Trafalgar Centre
on Friday night. These two bands go on to compete for one of six finalist
spots in this year¹s Smokefreerockquest, and take home regional prizes of
vouchers to be cashed in for musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their
suppliers.

The year 11 and year 12 students in Stiggma have been playing together for
three years and it was their third time of entering Smokefreerockquest.

³I think our experience helped,² said spokesman Ben Wilkinson. ³Our music is
different and original and we played well. We¹d also been helped with our
sound by one of the past Smokefreerockquest winners - the sound guy from
Falter.²

As one of the finalists selected from each of 24 regions throughout the
country, the Nelson bands now go through a further selection process that
involves completing set tasks and sending in a video of their band
performing 15 minutes of their own original material.

Rockquest Promotions Founders and Directors Glenn Common and Pete Rainey
said the two Nelson finalists had opened the door to music industry success.

³It won¹t just happen - there¹s a lot of work to be done, and that¹s where
Smokefreerockquest lays out a path for them,² they said. ³Putting together a
video of 15 minutes of their own material will really sort out the people
who have what it takes. There is a lot of commitment required as well as
negotiation, promotion and business skills if they are to make something out
of their creative talent.²

Smokefreerockquest helps the finalists by partnering them with mentor bands
- bands that are a couple of years ahead and have first hand knowledge of
the industry from the inside.

The six groups or individuals that win final selection will perform at the
Smokefreerockquest National Finals at the Bruce Mason Centre on Auckland¹s
North Shore, on October 7th.

Other prizes awarded at the Smokefreerockquest 2006 Nelson final included:

Third place winners, who receive vouchers from NZ Rockshops and their
suppliers, plus recording time: Little Black Dress from Nelson College for
Girls. This band also took out the Rockquest Promotions Best Song Award and
the rampant.co.nz Lyric Writer¹s Award.

Smokefree Award for Women¹s Musicianship and the Smokefree Best Vocals
Award went to soloist Jasmine Fa¹aso¹o from Nelson College for Girls.

The MAINZ Musicianship Award - opportunity to be selected for the
$4000 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, awarded to one
regional winner, and announced at the national final: Luke Kennedy the bass
player from Velvet Vendetta from Motueka High School.

Visit the Smokefreerockquest website www.theset.co.nz
to access more information, band profiles, MP3
files, media releases, story angles and more.

Ends

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