We're livestreaming the 2020 Taite Music Prize live right here from 6.30pm tonight! Aldous Harding, L.A.B., and Troy Kingi are among the finalists, and Shona Laing will be receiving the Classic Album award.
The ten finalists for this year’s Taite Music Prize were selected by a panel of judges from a list of 54 nominations submitted by record labels:
- Aldous Harding - Designer (Flying Nun Records/4AD)
- Beastwars - IV (Destroy Records)
- JessB - New Views (JessB/The Orchard)
- L.A.B. - L.A.B. III (Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa)
- Lawrence Arabia - Lawrence Arabia’s Singles Club (Honorary Bedouin Records)
- Louis Baker - Open (Louis Baker Music/Ditto Music)
- Mermaidens - Look Me In The Eye (Flying Nun Records)
- Miss June - Bad Luck Party (Miss June/Frenchkiss Records/The Orchard)
- Tiny Ruins - Olympic Girls (Ursa Minor)
- Troy Kingi - Holy Colony Burning Acres (Triple A Records)
Named after the late Dylan Taite – one of New Zealand’s most respected music journalists, the Taite Music Prize recognises outstanding creativity for an album or EP.
Previous winners include Tom Scott of Avantdale Bowling Club, Lorde, Aldous Harding, and Ladi6
Alongside the main prize, three additional awards will be presented at the ceremony:
- The Classic Record Award, which acknowledges records that have helped define New Zealand music. This year's recipient is Shona Laing for her 1987 album South
- The newly created Independent Spirit Award, which recognises an individual who’s helped Kiwi musicians succeed
- The Best Independent Debut Award, which celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2,000 cash prize with thanks to Auckland Live.
The finalists for Best Independent Debut are:
- Tom Ludvigson & Trevor Reekie - Roto (Jazzscore)
- Repulsive Woman - Relief (Independent)
- Mousey - Lemon Law (Independent)
Watch the ceremony live on RNZ Music's Facebook page at 6.30pm on Tuesday, May 5.
Listen to the 2020 Taite Music Prize finalist Spotify playlist.
