Auckland, NZ — Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) is proud to announce the winner of the prestigious 2024 Taite Music Prize at an exclusive ceremony held at the Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau. The event celebrated outstanding New Zealand albums released in the previous calendar year and showcased exceptional local talent across genres.
Pippa Ryan-Kidd of IMNZ set the tone of the night with an inspiring opening speech, “IMNZ are always immensely proud to produce an Award Ceremony that reflects creativity and puts artistic talent at the very core of the event. We hope that awarding musicians for creativity and artistic merit encourages them to be innovative and progressive in their music. This is important for the evolution of music as an art form and for the growth and diversity of the industry as a whole.”
Tonight’s big winner, Vera Ellen, was awarded the main prize for her album, Ideal Home Noise, released via Flying Nun Records. Vera Ellen receives a $12,500 cash prize, courtesy of founding partner Recorded Music NZ. The award was presented by 2023 winner Princess Chelsea and Nick Atkinson, musician (Supergroove, Hopetoun Brown) and Independent Artist Representative from Recorded Music NZ.
Following the critical success of her 2021 album It’s Your Birthday, Vera’s latest work Ideal Home Noise digs deep into personal introspection, balancing comedic elements with darker themes through contrasting musical styles. Recorded at Wellington’s The Surgery, the album was produced by multi-instrumentalist Ben Lemi.
Download Photo Gallery From Event Here
Additional Honours of the Evening:
- Jujulipps took home the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut for her EP, Get That Shot, reflecting her dynamic style and introspective lyrics. Her debut captures the challenges and triumphs of navigating the music industry, featuring a mix of influences from Leikeli47 to Nicki Minaj. In Jujulipps’ acceptance speech, she reflected on her transformative choice to redirect her life path, expressing, “This has been such a crazy journey ever since a decided to put myself into music I’ve had zero regrets.”
- The Independent Spirit Award was bestowed upon Teremoana Rapley MNZM, recognising her longstanding contributions to music and advocacy for Pacific artists. Brown Boy Magik effusively praised his mentor while presenting her award, stating “She’s inspired a whole generation of artists,shes built worlds, her music is a testament to pacifica storytelling.”
- Cushla Dillon and Andrew Moore were recognised with the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award for their documentary on the legendary rock band King Loser, highlighting the band’s unique story and impact on the local music scene. “NZ On Air is proud to be the sponsor of the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award and sends a huge congratulations to this year’s winners, Cushla Dillon and Andrew Moore,” says Teresa Patterson, NZ On Air Head of Music “Their music documentary, King Loser, plays a part – alongside more mainstream day-to-day music journalism – in helping to tell the many and varied stories within our music industry.”
- Look Blue Go Purple received the Independent Music NZ Classic Record award for their 1991 compilation album. Jan Hellriegel of Songbroker Music Publishing, who presented the award, remarked, “Good music is timeless and Look Blue Go Purple has never been more in demand for synch licensing. From US fashion houses and online Skate Magazines to local documentaries and films. There is something to be said about the authenticity and energy this wonderful band created like a classic car it’s become more valued with age. I am proud to represent LBGP as their Publisher and delighted that they are receiving this award.”
Event Highlights:
The ceremony featured performances by previous Taite Music Prize winners, including Princess Chelsea and Lawrence Arabia, who joined forces with other artists to celebrate the achievements of the night. The event, attended by over 300 IMNZ members, industry professionals, and media, was a vibrant showcase of New Zealand’s rich musical heritage.
Judging Panel:
The 2024 Taite Music Prize panel was comprised of esteemed members of the music media and industry, dedicated to a transparent and fair selection process based entirely on artistic merit. The judges were:
- Charlotte Ryan – RNZ
- Damon Newton – Auckland Live
- Dianne Swann – Artist, IMNZ Board
- Jana Te Nahu Owen – RNZ, Artist
- Kiran Dass – Freelance Journalist
- Madeleine Chapman – The Spinoff
- Matthew Crawley – Artist, Radio host, Promoter
- Pennie Black – Concord Music Publishing, IMNZ Board
- Karl Puschmann – Freelance Journalist
- Rachel Ashby – 95bFM, NZ Music Commission
- Russell Baillie – NZ Listener
- Taylor MacGregor – IMNZ Board, Save Our Venues
- Wairere Iti – NZ Music Commission, Māori Music Industry Coalition
The Taite Music Prize, named after the legendary music journalist Dylan Taite, is presented annually by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) and supported by partners including Recorded Music NZ, NZ On Air, and Q Theatre. It aims to highlight the best in local music based on artistic excellence.
Editors Notes:
Finalists for the 2024 Taite Music Prize were:
Dick Move, Ebony Lamb. Erny Belle, Home Brew, Mermaidens, Shepherds Reign, Tiny Ruins, Tom Lark, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Vera Ellen
Listen on Spotify HERE.
Finalists for the 2024 Auckland Live Best Independent Debut were:
D.C. Maxwell, Jujulipps, Soft Plastics
Listen on Spotify HERE.
The eponym for the awards is the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand’s most respected TV music journalists. He became known for his Liverpudlian wry wit and his unabashed chutzpah-love of music. Dylan’s unique style captured some rare interviews over the decades. Interviews with The Sex Pistols, Deep Purple, and the career-defining Bob Marley are still referenced today.
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The Taite Music Prize
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air / The Taite Family
Award Partners: Auckland Live
Event Partners: Q Theatre
Supporting Partners: FUGA / Panhead Breweries / NZ Music Commission / APRA AMCOS / Media Arts Lawyers / Commotion Ltd. / McCarthy Design / Merlin / Oceania / ToneDeaf / College Hill / Spyglass / Loop
Media Partners: RNZ Music / 95bFM
Charity Partners: MusicHelps
Previous winners of The Taite Prize:
2010 – Lawrence Arabia – Chant Darling (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 – Ladi6 – The Liberation Of (What? Music)
2012 – Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)
2013 – SJD – Elastic Wasteland (Round Trip Mars)
2014 – Lorde – Pure Heroine (Universal Music NZ)
2015 – Jakob – Sines (Shoot The Freak)
2016 – Silicon – Personal Computer (Weird World/Domino Recordings)
2017 – Street Chant – Hauora (Arch Hill Recordings)
2018 – Aldous Harding – Party (Flying Nun Records / 4AD)
2019 – Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club (Years Gone By)
2020 – Troy Kingi – Holy Colony Burning Acres (Triple A Records)
2021 – Reb Fountain – Reb Fountain (Flying Nun Records)
2022 – Anthonie Tonnon – Leave Love Out Of This (Slow Time Records)
2023 – Princess Chelsea – Everything Is Going To Be Alright (Lil Chief Records)
2024 – Vera Ellen – Ideal Home Noise (Flying Nun Records)
Winners of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record:
2013 – Gordons – Gordons (Flying Nun)
2014 – Various Artists – AK79 (Ripper Records)
2015 – Herbs – What’s Be Happen? (Warrior Records)
2016 – Upper Hutt Posse – E Tū (Jayrem Records)
2017 – The Clean – Boodle Boodle Boodle (Flying Nun)
2018 – Headless Chickens – Stunt Clown (Flying Nun)
2019 – Moana and the Moahunters – Tahi (Southside)
2020 – Shona Laing – South (Pagan Records)
2021 – Patea Māori Club – ‘Poi E’ (Maui Records)
2022 – Various Artists – PROUD – An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation
2023 – micronism – Inside a Quiet Mind (Kog Transmissions)
2024 – Look Blue Go Purple – Compilation (Flying Nun Records)
Winners of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut:
2017 – Merk – Swordfish (self released)
2018 – The Miltones – The Miltones (Self-released)
2019 – Alien Weaponry – Tū (Self-released)
2020 – Repulsive Woman – Relief (Independent)
2021 – Na Noise – Waiting For You (1:12 Records)
2022 – Jazmine Mary – The Licking of a Tangerine (Self-released)
2023 – TE KAAHU – Te Kaahu O Rangi (Theia Music Ltd)
2024 – Jujulips – Get That Shot (Bigpop Records)
Recipients of the Independent Spirit Award:
2019 – Bernie Griffin
2020 – Murray Cammick
2021 – Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest
2022 – Karyn Hay
2023 – Paul Huggins
2024 – Teremoana Raply MNZM
NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award:
2022 – Tony Stamp – RNZ Music
2023 – Namnita Kumar & Nadia Freeman – Eastern Sound Stories Podcast – Eastern Sound Collective & Radio Active.FM
2024 – Cushla Dillon & Andrew Moore – Directors – King Loser Documentary
http://www.audioculture.co.nz/
https://www.nzonscreen.com/
Interview – Darcy Clay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RIP from ONE and TV3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Interview – Bob Marley Doco – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Interview – Go West (1980) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Interview – Deep Purple – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
NZ Herald Obituary – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
NZ ON SCREEN LINKS:
https://www.nzonscreen.com/
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