Six60, Marlon Williams and Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Ruban Nielson. Photo: Image: Michael Greenfield
Image: Michael Greenfield
The nominations for the New Zealand Music Awards have been revealed, with Marlon Williams, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Six60 leading the way.
Williams has scored five nominations, including Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Best Male Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Alternative Album.
After grabbing the attention of fans as the singer of Lyttleton band The Unfaithful Ways, Williams went onto collaborate on three albums with alt-country musician Delaney Davidson. His self-titled solo debut was released earlier this year and it features the single ‘Dark Child’, which was also a finalist for the Silver Scroll.
Williams will go head-to-head with Silver Scroll winners Unknown Mortal Orchestra, who took out the top songwriting award for ‘Multi-Love’. The group, fronted by Ruban Nielson, have four nominations as do chart-topping band Six60.
Other nominees includes electro-pop duo Broods and much-celebrated rock act Shihad, who have three nods each going into the awards night next month.
They won’t be the only ones celebrating though. The Exponents will be this year’s Legacy Award recipients and will be inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame.
Recorded Music CEO Damian Vaughan said that the band, who are known for their hits ‘Why Does Love Do This To Me’ ‘Who Loves Who The Most’ and ‘Victoria’, have had an outstanding and impressive history since forming in 1981.
“Many of the finalist artists for this year’s VNZMA awards have grown up listening to The Exponents. The band’s influence and impact on New Zealand music is significant. The Exponents are Kiwi icons and have created a truly remarkable music legacy,” he said.
The lineup for the Critics Choice Prize showcase will see Auckland acts Boycrush, New Gum Sarn and Bespin perform together at the Kings Arms. The showcase aims to recognise local up-and-coming musicians, and the winner will be decided by an anonymous panel of judges and announced on the night.
The winners of the 2015 Technical Awards, which were also revealed, went to Sean Donnelly for Best Producer (Saint John Divine), Lee Prebble and Oliver Harmer for Best Engineer (Mel Parsons’ Drylands) and Kelvin Soh for Best Album Cover (Broods’ Evergreen).
The New Zealand Music Awards, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will be held on Thursday November 19 at Vector Arena.
Finalists for the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards:
Mentos Album of the Year
Broods – Evergreen
Marlon Willams – Marlon Williams
Shihad – FVEY
Six60 – Six60
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
Vodafone Single of the Year
Avalanche City – ‘Inside Out’
Lorde – ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’
Marlon Williams – ‘Dark Child’
Six60 – ‘White Lines’
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – ‘Multi-Love’
Best Group
Broods – Evergreen
Shihad – FVEY
Six60 – Six60
Best Male Solo Artist
Marlon Williams – Marlon Williams
Stan Walker – Truth & Soul
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
Best Female Solo Artist
Anika Moa - Queen At The Table
Brooke Fraser – Brutal Romantic
Gin Wigmore - Blood To Bone
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Devilskin
Ginny Blackmore
Marlon Williams
Best Rock Album
Cairo Knife Fight – The Colossus
Devilskin - We Rise
Shihad – FVEY
The Edge Best Pop Album
Benny Tipene – Bricks
Broods – Evergreen
Six60 – Six60
Best Alternative Album
Marlon Williams - Marlon Williams
She’s So Rad – Tango
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
Best Urban/Hip Hop Album
Diaz Grimm – Osiris
Janine and The Mixtape – XX
The Doqument – Black Canvas – Wall & Piece
Best Roots Album
Latinaotearoa – Latinaotearoa in Latinoamerica
Moana and the Tribe – Rima
Trinity Roots – Citizen
Best Electronica Album
Electric Wire Hustle – Love Can Prevail
Shapeshifter vs The Upbeats – SSXUB
Sola Rosa – Magnetics
NZ On Air Best Music Video
Reuben Bonner – ‘Her Heart Breaks Like A Wave’ (Dictaphone Blues)
Shae Sterling – ‘Aotearoa’ (Stan Walker feat Ria Hall, Troy Kingi & Maisey Rika)
Shahir Daud – ‘Cymatics’ (Nigel Stanford)
Best Maori Album
Moana & the Tribe – Rima
Ranea – Tihei Mauri Ora
Whaia and The Mahician – Whaia
Best Worship Album
Edge Kingsland Presents - Seven Days
LIFE Worship – Through The Fire
We, The Revival – We, The Revival
Best Classical Album
Jack Body – Passing By
Jack Body – Songs Of Death and Desire
Michael Houstoun – Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas
Vodafone People’s Choice Award
Broods
Lorde
Six60
Sol3 Mio
Stan Walker