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The finalists for the 2012 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards have been announced and leading the charge with six Tui nominations is Hamilton-born pop songstress Kimbra.

In addition to Kimbra there are four other artists with multiple finalist spots. Home Brew and Six60 have five, Gin Wigmore has four while Opossom is in the running for three Tuis.

The finalists for the 2012 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards have been announced and leading the charge with six Tui nominations is Hamilton-born pop songstress Kimbra.

In addition to Kimbra there are four other artists with multiple finalist spots. Home Brew and Six60 have five, Gin Wigmore has four while Opossom is in the running for three Tuis.

The finalists have been announced at a star-studded function this evening (3 October) at The Cloud on Auckland’s Queens Wharf.

The winning artists are revealed at the 47th annual Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards at Vector Arena on November 1. The show is being broadcast as live on FOUR on the night, kicking off at 8:30pm. It is preceded by The Mentos Red Carpet Special from 8pm onwards – hosted by Guy Williams and Sharyn Wakefield.

Kimbra’s six Tui nominations include: Album of the Year (Vows), Vodafone Single of the Year (Warrior), Best Female Solo Artist, Westpac Hotpoints Breakthrough Artist of the Year, The Edge Best Pop Album and the Vodafone People’s Choice Award.

Vows debuted at #3 in New Zealand and at #5 in the Australia album charts. The album has also been certified Gold in both countries and is soon to be released on special edition vinyl.

In the blue chip best rock and pop album categories it’s handbags versus man-bags. All finalists in The Edge Best Pop Album category are female while the Rockshop Best Rock Album finalists are all male.

Best Pop Album finalists are Bic Runga (Belle), Gin Wigmore (Gravel & Wine) and Kimbra (Vows). Best Rock Album finalists are Clap Clap Riot (Counting Spins), The Checks (Deadly Summer Sway) and Head Like A Hole (Blood Will Out).

Legacy Award

The recipient of the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award has also been announced and has gone to punk rock legends – Toy Love. The band will be officially honoured at the main awards ceremony and also inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Awards spokesperson and Recording Industry Association of New Zealand managing director Chris Caddick says, “RIANZ and our partner APRA are delighted to welcome Toy Love into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

“Those of us lucky enough to have seen them live can say we truly saw music history in the making. Their classic singles and legendary album continue to influence artists in New Zealand and all around the world to this day.”

Guests at the awards ceremony on 1 November can look forward to a big night of great New Zealand music with live performances by Kimbra, Gin Wigmore, The Black Seeds, Annah Mac, Six60, Home Brew and a special tribute to Legacy Award recipients Toy Love.

Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.co.nz from October 3 and cost $25 including booking fees.

Technical Award winners

The winners of the Technical Awards have also been revealed at the finalist announcement event. The Tui for Best Album Cover has gone to Hamilton-based illustrator Angela Keoghan for Dearly Departed (Bannerman).

Opossom lead singer and producer Kody Nielson is awarded the MAINZ Best Producer Tui for his work on Bic Runga’s Belle.

Neil Baldock takes out the MAINZ Best Engineer Tui for Lydia Cole’s Me & Moon recorded at Roundhead Studios in Auckland.

Critics’ Choice Prize

The 2012 line-up for the Critics’ Choice Prize pits young MC, producer and song-writer Loui The ZU against Chelsea Jade Metcalf’s solo project Watercolours and Auckland’s Beach Pigs.

Established in 2010, the prize recognises up-and-coming artists and potential future Tui winners. Past Critics’ Choice Prize line-ups includes The Naked and Famous, Street Chant, Kimbra and Home Brew.

The three 2012 contenders perform a live showcase at the Kings Arms Tavern in Auckland on Wednesday 17 October before the prize recipient is announced on the night.

Album of The Year

• Home Brew – Home Brew
• Kimbra – Vows
• Opossom – Electric Hawaii
• Six60 – Six60
• The Adults – The Adults

Vodafone Single of The Year

• Annah Mac – Girl in Stilettos
• Gin Wigmore – Black Sheep
• Kimbra – Warrior
• Six60 – Don’t Forget Your Roots
• The Adults – Nothing To Lose

FOUR Best Group

• Home Brew – Home Brew
• Opossom – Electric Hawaii
• Six60 – Six60

Best Male Solo Artist

• Bulletproof – Dub Me Crazy
• Seth Haapu – Seth Haapu
• Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Best Female Solo Artist

• Gin Wigmore – Gravel & Wine
• Kimbra – Vows
• Ladyhawke – Anxiety

Westpac Hotpoints Breakthrough Artist of The Year

• Annah Mac – Little Stranger
• Home Brew – Home Brew
• Kimbra – Vows

Rockshop Best Rock Album

The Checks – Deadly Summer Sway
Clap Clap Riot – Counting Spins
Head Like a Hole – Blood Will Out

The Edge Best Pop Album

• Bic Runga – Belle
• Gin Wigmore – Gravel & Wine
• Kimbra - Vows

Best Alternative Album

• Ladyhawke – Anxiety
• Opossom – Electric Hawaii
• Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unkown Mortal Orchestra

Best Urban / Hip Hop Album

• Adeaze – Rise & Shine
• Home Brew – Home Brew
• Savage – Mayhem & Miracles

Best Roots Album

• Hollie Smith – Hollie Smith & Mara TK Band of Brothers Vol.1
• The Black Seeds – Dust And Dirt
• Tomorrow People – ONE

Best Electronica Album

• Bulletproof – Dub Me Crazy
• Concord Dawn – Air Chrysalis
• Six60 – Six60

NZ On Air Best Music Video

• Special Problems – Take a Picture (David Dallas)
• Special Problems – The Sun (The Naked and Famous)
• Special Problems – My Calculator (Zowie)

Best Maori Album

• Ria Hall – Ria Hall
• Upper Hutt Posse – Declaration of Resistance
• Whirimako Black and Richard Nunns – Te More

Best Gospel / Christian Album

• Parachute Band – Matins:Vespers
• Rapture Ruckus – Open Your Eyes
• The Ember Days – Emergency

KBB Music Best Classical Album

• Anthony Ritchie and The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – A Bugle Will Do
• Christopher Blake – Angel at Ahipara
• Eve de Castro-Robinson – Releasing the Angel

Vodafone People’s Choice Award

• Gin Wigmore
• Kimbra
• Home Brew
• Six60
• Stan Walker

New Zealand Herald Legacy Award

• Toy Love

No finalists are announced for the Vodafone Highest Selling NZ Single, the Highest Selling NZ Album, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year and the International Achievement awards. These will be awarded at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards ceremony at Auckland’s Vector Arena on November 1.

The recipient of the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award – Toy Love – will also be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

WINNERS OF TECHNICAL AWARDS:

Best Album Cover to Angela Keoghan for Dearly Departed (Bannerman)

MAINZ Best Producer to Kody Nielson for Belle (Bic Runga)

MAINZ Best Engineer to Neil Baldock for Me & Moon (Lydia Cole)

2012 CRITICS’ CHOICE PRIZE LINE-UP:

• Beach Pigs
• Loui the Zu
• Watercolours

Media Release: VNZMA