Bands Await Verdict

It¹s a tense time for the two Nelson bands waiting to see if they make the national finals of the Smokefreerockquest.

The Daquiris from Nelson College and Jimarh from Motueka High School, Garin College and Nelson Boy¹s College are two of the high school bands from 25 regions right around New Zealand with the chance of hitting the big time.

The last regional final of this year¹s Smokefreerockquest was held in Marlborough on August 18, finishing a process that started in Southland in early May, with a record 650 bands playing off in over 40 heats and finals around the country. In mid September a shortlist of 12 bands will be announced - selected from videos sent in by each of the regional finalists, plus bands that won www.theset People¹s Choice or took up the Rockshop Second Chance.

A panel of judges drawn from the music industry then narrows the list down to the six finalists, to be announced in late September for the finals on October 20. At stake is the first prize of $10,000 worth of music gear and recording time, plus almost guaranteed recognition by the music industry.

Rockquest Promotions Founders and Directors Glenn Common and Pete Rainey say this is the Œglamour¹ end of the competition - but the regional finals are where the big benefits of the event are seen.

³It¹s not over the top to say Smokefreerockquest is a life-changer for over 2500 kids who¹ve been through it this year,² they said. ³We hire regional event centres and create a professional setting that puts teenagers on stage, surrounded by huge speakers with screaming fans in front of them. Suddenly they know what it would be like to be a rock star.²

Rainey and Common said competitors come off stage with a massive confidence boost that impacts positively on other areas of their lives. The Smokefreerockquest National Finals are at the Bruce Mason Centre on Auckland¹s North Shore, on October 20. Tickets are $20 at the venue pre-sales and door-sales. A range of awards made at the finals reinforce the key

Smokefreerockquest aim of encouraging students to write and perform their own music. Individual prizes are awarded for best lyrics, best vocals, women¹s musicianship and the best song. A scholarship to the Tai Poutini contemporary music course is also awarded.

There is also the Rip It Up Journalism Award for fledgling music writers. Visit the Smokefreerockquest website www.theset.co.nz to access more information, band profiles, MP3 files, media releases, story angles and more.

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