2014 Taite Music Prize round up
/By Poppy Tohill
The purpose of the Taite Music Prize is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000 to be spent as they wish. Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country's most highly respected music journalists, Wednesday saw the fifth year of this award.
This years finalists, were scaled down from a lengthy list of nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country. Judged by all current IMNZ (Independent Music New Zealand) members alongside an invited group comprising of record label representatives, music journalists and radio staff, each nominated album is critically judged on it's artistic merit, creativity, innovation and excellence in its entirety.
This years final nominees were:
Unknown Mortal Orchestra with their album- II, Beastwars with ‘Blood Becomes Rain,' Sheep Dog & Wolfwith ‘Egospect,' The Phoenix Foundation with ‘Fandango', David Dallas with ‘Falling Into Place,'@Peacewith ‘Girl Songs,' Jonathan Bree with ‘The Primrose Path' and of course Lorde with ‘Pure Heroine.'
Jumping straight into the award ceremony, the night began with speeches from presenter Charlotte Ryanand (The Terrorways) who presented Ak79 with the award for ‘Independent Music NZ Classic Record'accepted by Bryan Staff the head of Ripper Records.
Then it was Sean James Donnelly better known as SJD, winner of the Taite Prize Award last year who brought some jokes to the floor getting the audience laughing.
Then without further a do- New Zealand's favourite pop star, Lorde, was announced the winner of the Taite Music Award for 2014, with her album ‘Pure Heroine.'
The Taite award was accepted on Ella's behalf by her manager, Scott Maclachlan. However, instead of accepting the $10,000 prize money for herself, a video recorded message from Lorde (Ella Yelich-O'Connor) announced that: "I think everyone's probably sick of me winning stuff at the moment, and I think there are people who are more in need of the funds and the exposure than I am right now, so if you'll accept it.. the prize money has been split between this years nominees."
This incredible gesture was followed by a wonderful closing performance by last year's Taite winner SJD, to draw the night to an end.
You can watch the full video of Lorde's message below