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Smokefreerockquest 2006

Smokefreerockquest is the biggest and most influential nation-wide youth event held in New Zealand, attracting audience numbers in excess of 100,000 every year. Founded by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey in 1988 (now running Rockquest Promotions full time out of Nelson), it has become a New Zealand institution. Bands including The Datsuns, Anika Moa, Steriogram, Tadpole, the feelers, The Blackseeds, Nesian Mystic, Bic Runga, Fur Patrol, Betchadupa, King Kapisi, Zed and The Have all participated in the event during its 18-year history.

SmokefreeRockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and encourage their peers to support 100% original New Zealand music.

Final 2006 - Neil Robinson wins

Neil Robinson, the Christchurch band from Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti won the 2006 Smokefreerockquest.
Read the interview in New Zealand Musician.

Canterbury Finalists 2006

Three seventh formers from Cashmere High School are on the way towards career success in the New Zealand music industry, as this year’s Canterbury regional winners in the Smokefreerockquest.

First place went to the three piece ‘alternative’ group Blackmarket Art, with the band Neil Robinson from Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti placed second, at the Canterbury finals in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Town Hall on Friday night. Third place went to Sonitus from Shirley Boys High and  Mairehau High School.

These three bands go on to compete for one of six finalist spots in this year’s Smokefreerockquest, and take home regional prizes of vouchers to be cashed in for musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers. Usually only two bands go through from each region, but because the number of entrants and the high standard in Christchurch three bands were selected.

Blackmarket Art drummer Matt Scobie says the band formed four years ago to play in rockquest and he says their experience helped them win on Friday night at the Town Hall.

“We all love what we do - it’s our favourite thing,” he said. ‘We get out and play whenever we can so we have had lots of experience which gave us confidence - but maybe we just stood out with our bowties and our lead singer’s scarecrow hat.”

As finalists selected from each of 24 regions throughout the country, the Canterbury 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 Canterbury finalists had opened the door to music industry success.

“It won’t just happen - there’s a lot of work to be done, and that’s where Smokefreerockquest lays out a path for them,” they said. “Putting 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.”

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 Auckland’s North Shore, on October 7th.

Other prizes awarded at the Smokefreerockquest 2006 Canterbury final were:

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: Sacrament from Shirley Boys High School.  Usually this goes to an individual but in this case was awarded to the whole band. 

Rockquest Promotions best song award with $100 cash went to We Have all Been Wandering Troubadours a soloist comedy act from St Andrews College  

The Smokefree Best Vocals Award, winning $150 Cash: Phoebe Hurst from Between Days,  from Kaiapoi High School.

The Smokefree award for women’s musicianship, winning $150 cash went to the guitarist from Ink T’nealle Worsley.

The Rampant.co.nz Lyric Writers Award, judged from lyrics submitted at the heats: Nick Bosman from Burnside High School.