Music Commission News

Tonight, the 2022 Taite Music Prize, which highlights outstanding New Zealand albums released in the previous calendar year, was awarded to Anthonie Tonnon for his critically praised album, Leave Love Out Of This released on Slow Time Records. Anthonie receives a $12500 cash prize thanks to founding partners Recorded Music NZ and the NZ Music Commission.

The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut went to Jazmine Mary for her debut album The Licking of a Tangerine. The album was recorded at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios with support from Peter Ruddell (Wax Chattels, Sulfate) andDave Kahn (Marlon Williams, Reb Fountain). Her sound has been described as “dream-folk”; visceral and haunting with “rose-tinted sounds which will allow you to be transported somewhere bold and watery.” Jazmine is awarded a $2000 cash prize plus a performance or technical upskilling opportunity thanks to Auckland Live.

The Independent Spirit Award was granted to Karyn Hay ONZM for her contribution to music awareness in Aotearoa since the 1980’s through the groundbreaking TV series, Radio With Pictures and throughout her career via Kiwi FM, and music documentaries. Karyn’s contribution continues as host of RNZ National’s Lately show with an eye on live events, an ear for music, a great sense of humour and a genuine interest in people and their stories.

The inaugural NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism award was presented to RNZ Music journalist, Tony Stamp, for his work creating long-form music documentaries and features, interviewing artists, and discussing new music onSong Crush and currently hosting music review show The Sampler. Tony receives a $2500 cash prize, thanks to NZ On Air.

Alongside this award a judge’s special commendation was acknowledged of Alison Mau’s work for Stuff covering NZ music industry practices and sexual harm prevention.

The Independent Music NZ Classic Record award was presented to producer Alan Jansson for the showcasing 1994 compilation, PROUD – An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation. Jansson worked with Tim Mahon (from Otara Music Arts Centre and Blam Blam Blam) and Phil Fuemana to bring in a range of artists representing the contemporary Māori and Pacifica music of the time. The result was the hugely influential 1994 compilation PROUD, featuring Sisters Underground, Pacifican Descendants, Semi MCs, MC Slam, Radio Backstab, DJ Payback,and Otara Millionaires Club.

Dylan Pellett, General Manager Independent Music New Zealand says, “This has been a special celebration this evening in so many ways, and I wish all of the winners my hearty congratulations. What a privilege to present this event on behalf of our membership and the wider music community. Top work everyone!”

The 2022 Taite Music Prize was held at Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau and featured performances by 2021 Taite Music Prize winner, Reb Fountain.

The ceremony was hosted by NZ On Air’s Sarah Thomson, with awards presented by Helaina Keeley – Creative Industries Development Manager – Auckland Live; Pippa Ryan-Kidd, Chairperson – IMNZ; Poppy Reid, Editor In Chief – Rolling Stone Magazine, Jo Oliver, CEO – Recorded Music NZ, author, journalist; Colin Hogg and Aotearoa music legend Sir Dave Dobbyn.

The event was attended by 300+ industry, media, and artists from across the country and was a joyous celebration of outstanding creative works made in Aotearoa.

The Taite Music Prize panel tasked with determining the finalists was made up of an extensive selection of music media/industry specialists. The finalist judges made their decision based entirely on the artistic merit of the album. Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity are not contributing factors in their decision-making process.

2022 Taite Music Prize Judges:

Annabel Kean – Sports Team, undertheradar.co.nz
Damon Newton – Auckland Live
Harrison Pali – Tahi
Jasmin Ziedan – BaseFM
Jess Fu – 95bFM
Karl Lock – JB Hi Fi
Lisa Jones – muzic.net.nz
Mathew Crawley – Flying Out
Nadia Marsh – Te Māngai Pāho
Sandra Hopping – Marbecks / Ode Records

2022 Taite Music Prize winner; Anthonie Tonnon – Leave Love Out Of This
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Auckland Live Best Independent Debut winner; Jazmine Mary – The Licking of a Tangerine
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Independent Spirit Award presented to Karyn Hay
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NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award to Tony Stamp
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Independent Music NZ Classic Record award presented for Proud – An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation

The ten albums in contention for the 2022 Taite Music Prize were:
Listen on Spotify HERE

Anthonie Tonnon – Leave Love Out Of This (Slow TIme Records)
Dianne Swann – The War On Peace of Mind (Bads Music)
French For Rabbits – The Overflow (AAA Records)
Lips – I Don’t Know Why I Do Anything (Independent)
Luke Buda – BUDA (Buda Records)
Reb Fountain – IRIS (Flying Nun Records)
Sheep, Dog & Wolf – Two-Minds (Aphrodite)
Team Dynamite – Respect The Process (Independent)
Troy Kingi – Black Sea Golden Ladder (AAA Records)
Vera Ellen – It’s Your Birthday (Flying Nun Records)

The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award celebrates the freshest talent of Aotearoa and the three finalists were:
Listen on Spotify HERE

Adelaide Cara – How Does This Sound?
Jazmine Mary – The Licking of a Tangerine
Proteins of Magic – Proteins of Magic

The NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award is the first of its kind for Aotearoa New Zealand and the finalists were:

Undertheradar.co.nz – Editorial Team; Chris Cudby and Annabel Kean
Rova’s ‘Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History’ – Podcast creators; DJ Sirvere and Martyn Pepperell
RNZ Music’s The Sampler – Producer and journalist; Tony Stamp
95bFM’s Long Player “Milk III – Reuben Winter” episode – Producer; Jess Fu

The 2022 recipient of the Classic Record has already been announced to recognise the 1994 New Zealand album; PROUD – An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation. Listen on Apple Music HERE or on Spotify HERE

Also announced at the ceremony is the recipient of the 2022 Independent Spirit Award. This recognises and celebrates a New Zealander who is passionate about NZ music and has dedicated themselves to helping artists and the wider music community to grow and find their own unique pathways.

Editors Notes:

The Taite Music Prize
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partner: NZ On Air
Event Partner: Q Theatre
Award Partner: Auckland Live
Media Partners: 95bFM / Radio NZ
Charity Partner: MusicHelps
Supporting Partners: APRA AMCOS / Media Arts Lawyers / NZ Music Commission / McCarthy Design / Commotion Ltd / Loop / College Hill Productions / Tone Deaf Productions / Oceania / Merlin / Panhead Breweries / Auckland City Of Music

Previous winners of The Taite Music Prize:

2010 – Lawrence Arabia – Chant Darling (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 – Ladi6 – The Liberation Of (What? Music)
2012 – Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)
2013 – SJD – Elastic Wasteland (Round Trip Mars)
2014 – Lorde – Pure Heroine (Universal Music NZ)
2015 – Jakob – Sines (Shoot The Freak)
2016 – Silicon – Personal Computer (Weird World/Domino Recordings)
2017 – Street Chant – Hauora (Arch Hill Recordings)
2018 – Aldous Harding – Party (Flying Nun Records / 4AD)
2019 – Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club (Years Gone By)
2020 – Troy Kingi – Holy Colony Burning Acres (Triple A Records)
2021 – Reb Fountain – Reb Fountain (Flying Nun Records)

Previous Winners of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record:

2013 – Gordons – Gordons (Flying Nun)
2014 – Various Artists – AK79 (Ripper Records)
2015 – Herbs – What’s Be Happen? (Warrior Records)
2016 – Upper Hutt Posse – E Tū (Jayrem Records)
2017 – The Clean – Boodle Boodle Boodle (Flying Nun)
2018 – Headless Chickens – Stunt Clown (Flying Nun)
2019 – Moana and the Moahunters – Tahi (Southside)
2020 – Shona Laing – South (Pagan Records)
2021 – Patea Māori Club – ‘Poi E’ (Maui Records)

Previous Winners of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut:

2017 – Merk – Swordfish (self released)
2018 – The Miltones – The Miltones (Self-released)
2019 – Alien Weaponry – Tū (Self-released)
2020 – Repulsive Woman – Relief (Independent)
2021 – Na Noise – Waiting For You (1:12 Records)

Previous Recipients of the Independent Spirit Award

2019 – Bernie Griffin
2020 – Murray Cammick
2021 – Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest

NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award

2022 – Inaugural Year