The winner of the tenth annual Taite Music Prize for 2019 is Avantdale Bowling Club (Tom Scott) for the debut album of his latest project, presented to him at the awards ceremony at Q Theatre last night.
The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut 2018 was awarded to Northland’s metal band, Alien Weaponry for their debut album, Tū.
Moana Maniapoto was presented with the Independent Music New Zealand Classic Record Award for her landmark 1993 album as Moana and the Moahunters; Tahi.
Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern presented the inaugural Independent Spirit Award to local legend, ex-record label owner, distributor, long time champion and advocate for young independent musicians, Bernie Griffin.
The Taite Music Prize highlights outstanding New Zealand albums released in the past calendar year, open to all genres of music from any record label and judged on artistic merit, regardless of genre or sales. Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, The Taite Music Prize recognises outstanding creativity in an entire collection of music contained on one recording.
Tom Scott receives a cash prize of $10,000 from Taite Music Prize founding partner, Recorded Music NZ. Additionally, through the support of Red Bull Studios Auckland, the winner receives recording time at the Red Bull Studios and a years supply of Red Bull products.