MAINZ AND THE VODAFONE NZ MUSIC AWARDS: A PERFECT FIT
The involvement of MAINZ in this year’s Vodafone NZ Music Awards is a “perfect fit” and evidence that the industry is increasingly recognising MAINZ as an important player in the New Zealand music industry, says MAINZ director and Hello Sailor guitarist Harry Lyon.
“It’s an acknowledgement by the local music industry that what we’re doing, nurturing the talent of tomorrow, is a worthy and worthwhile undertaking and that we’re doing our job really well.”
In addition to being an overall sponsor of the Awards, MAINZ (The Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) has naming rights to the two technical awards – MAINZ Engineer of the Year and MAINZ Producer of the Year.
“The Awards celebrate Kiwi music and excellence in Kiwi music which is what we’re about,” says Lyon. “We’re trying to develop the skills and attitude in our students that will allow them to one day be the ones up on stage receiving an award.
And increasingly, that’s what MAINZ alumni are doing. “Of the 30 nominees for 2009 Album of the Year, for example, seven have a MAINZ connection, which is pretty good.
On a practical level, MAINZ students are involved the production of the awards show, which is being held at the Vector Arena in Auckland on 8th October and broadcast live on C4.
“We’ve got students working on the various music tracks they need for the show, such as the ‘presenter stings’ and the theme music.”
A student from MAINZ’s Music Event Management programme is on work experience with the organisers and other MAINZ students will be involved with sound, lights and the OB vans on the night.
“It’s fantastic; the students are so excited to have this opportunity.”
As well as the main event on 8th October, MAINZ will be involved with seven smaller ‘Pop-up Gigs’ in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which will showcase emerging Kiwi talent leading up to the Awards.
Winners of the MAINZ Engineer of the Year Award and MAINZ Producer of the Year Award were announced on 2nd September:
2009 MAINZ Best Engineer Award went to Andrew Buckton - The Brave Don't Run (Midnight Youth)
2009 MAINZ Best Producer Award went to Fat Freddy's Drop - Dr Boondigga & The Big BW (Fat Freddy's Drop)
The main VNZMA awards night is being held at the Vector Arena in Auckland on 8th October and will be live on C4.
The Midnight Youth, Mint Chicks and Kids of 88 are finalists, and all include members who have been students at MAINZ. We would like to congratulate them along with Gin Wigmore who features on the Smashproof single “Brother” on their nominations and wish them good luck for the awards night.
