Former Salmonella Dub front-man Tiki Taane has dominated the finalist list for the 2008 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

Tiki Taane is a finalist in six categories, Liam Finn has picked up four spots while Flight of the Conchords, Shihad and The Phoenix Foundation grab three, and Scribe and Anika Moa two. The winners of the Technical Awards were also announced on Wednesday.Former Salmonella Dub front-man Tiki Taane has dominated the finalist list for the 2008 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

Tiki Taane is a finalist in six categories, Liam Finn has picked up four spots while Flight of the Conchords, Shihad and The Phoenix Foundation grab three, and Scribe and Anika Moa two. The winners of the Technical Awards were also announced on Wednesday.Tuis were presented for:

Best Album Cover to Barny Bewick of Indium Design for Keep Me On Your Side (Goodnight Nurse)

Best Engineer to Lee Prebble of The Surgery for Happy Ending (The Phoenix Foundation)

Best Producer to Lee Prebble of The Surgery for Happy Ending (The Phoenix Foundation)

"It's important that we acknowledge the team of people instrumental in recording the music, packaging it and getting it out to music fans," Smith says. "Lee Prebble has been a valuable contributor to New Zealand music for some time now, and Barny Berwick's cover artwork is a real standout."

The finalists were announced today at a function at Auckland's Langham Hotel. The winning artists are set to be honoured at the biggest-ever event in the awards' 43-year history when the red carpet is rolled out at Vector Arena, Auckland on October 8.

The prestigious Nokia Album of the Year category includes Anika Moa (In Swings the Tide), Flight of the Conchords (Flight of the Conchords), Liam Finn (I'll be Lightning), Scribe (Rhymebook), and Tiki Taane (Past, Present and Future).

Tiki Taane and Liam Finn are also finalists in the Vodafone Single of the Year category for their singles 'Always on my Mind' and ´Gather to the Chapel' respectively. Opshop ('One Day'), Shihad ('One will Hear the Other') and The Phoenix Foundation ('Bright Grey') round off the category finalists.

Also announced today was the recipient of the second The New Zealand Herald Legacy Award - Straitjacket Fits. The legendary Dunedin band will be officially honoured at the main awards ceremony and will also be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Awards spokesperson Campbell Smith says the finalists list reflects the continuing quality and diversity of New Zealand music.

"It is great to see a wide mix of established and newer artists named as finalists, once again recognising the depth and breadth of New Zealand music talent across the full range of genres."

Smith says the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards' move to Vector Arena reflects the growth in New Zealand music and results in the biggest-ever Tuis presentation. The bigger space provides room for thousands more music fans, a designated mosh pit, and a huge stage - all making for a greater spectacle.

"One of the biggest advantages of this move is that we will be able to accommodate so many more fans than we have been able to previously. And that is what this event is about - celebrating New Zealand music and involving everyone who has contributed to its success including the fans," Smith says.

Nokia Album of the Year
Anika Moa - In Swings the Tide
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
Scribe - Rhymebook
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Vodafone Single of the Year
Liam Finn - Gather To The Chapel
Opshop - One Day
Shihad - One Will Hear The Other
The Phoenix Foundation - Bright Grey
Tiki Taane - Always On My Mind

Steinlager Pure Best Group
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Shihad - Beautiful Machine
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending

Vodafone People's Choice Award
Antiform
Horsemen Family
Parachute Band
Nesian Mystik
The DFenders

Best Male Solo Artist
Liam Finn - I'll be Lightning
SJD - Songs From A Dictaphone
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Mazda Best Female Solo Artist
Aaradhna - Sweet Soul Music
Anika Moa - In Swings The Tide
Annabel Fay - Annabel Fay

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Cut Off Your Hands - Blue On Blue
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

C4 Best Music Video
Carey Carter - Tangaroa (Tiki Taane)
Ian Hart - Her Hairagami Set (The Brunettes)
Joe Lonie - Gather To The Chapel (Liam Finn)

PPNZ Best Rock Album
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
Shihad - Beautiful Machine
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending

Best Urban/Hip Hop Album
Mareko - White Sunday 2:The Book Of Mark
Scribe - Rhymebook
Young Sid - The Truth

Best Aotearoa Roots Album
Katchafire - Say What You're Thinking
Kora - Kora
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Best Dance/Electronica Album
Magik Johnson - You Are Sound
Recloose - Perfect Timing
Shapeshifter - Live

Best Maori Album
Moana & the Tribe - Wha
Ruia - 12:24 Tekau Ma Rua, Rua Tekau Ma Wha
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Best Gospel/Christian Album
All Left Out - The Conquest
Parachute Band - Roadmaps and Revelations
The Ember Days - Your Eyes Light Up

Best Classical Album
Gillian Whitehead - Puhake ki te rangi
Michael Houstoun - Inland
NZTrio - Bright Tide Moving Between

No finalists are announced for the 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 presented at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards ceremony at Auckland's Vector Arena on Wednesday October 8.

More information

Tickets: $47 including booking fee from ticketek.

Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards

03/09/08