Independent Music NZ have revealed that the finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2017. Now in its eighth year, the Taite Music Prize recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album.

Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand’s most respected music journalists, the prize-winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 to be spent as they wish, thanks to Taite Music Prize founding partner Recorded Music NZ; recording time at Red Bull Studios Auckland; and a year’s supply of Red Bull product.

This year’s eight finalists, from a lengthy list of 70 nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:

Aaradhna / Brown Girl (Universal Music NZ)

Hopetoun Brown / Look So Good (Melita Music)

Lawrence Arabia / Absolute Truth (Flying Nun Records)

LEISURE / LEISURE (THE LEISURE COLLECTIVE)

Lontalius / I’ll Forget 17 (POD/Inertia)

Pacific Heights / The Stillness (Warner Music)

Shayne P Carter / Offsider (Flying Nun Records)

Street Chant / Hauora (Arch Hill Recordings)

The eight albums in contention for the 2017 prize include fresh faces and familiar New Zealand musicians alike. Previous Taite Music Prize winner Lawrence Arabia returns as a finalist with Absolute Truth, and his label-mate Shayne P Carter enters with his acclaimed Offsider album. Brand new finalists include Lontalius, Hopetoun Brown and LEISURE – all with their debut albums.

2012 Taite Music Prize finalist Aaradhna is back with her fourth studio album Brown Girl, as are 2011 finalists Street Chant with their second record Hauora.

Independent Music New Zealand chairperson, Matthew Davis, says, “We are very proud to celebrate the extraordinary musical and artistic expression found in New Zealand, through the recognition of these great albums. This year's finalists (and the impressive list of nominees) for the Taite Music Prize show that creativity, diversity and imagination within the New Zealand recording sector is thriving."

Founding partner Recorded Music NZ’s chief executive, Damian Vaughan, says it’s been a pleasure to be closely involved with the event. “This year’s finalists are a true reflection of the best local recordings. I’d encourage everyone to listen to these truly outstanding albums and I wish all the finalists every success,” he says.

This year the Taite Music Prize will be announced at a presentation at The Civic’s Wintergarden in Auckland on Tuesday 18th April 2017. Alongside the main prize, two additional awards will be presented at the ceremony: the already established Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award and the newly created Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa, and including a $2,000 cash prize and a live performance slot at Auckland Live Summer in the Square 2017/2018 – Auckland’s biggest backyard summer party.

Taite Music Prize

Tuesday April 18th: The Wintergarden (at the Civic), Auckland

Previous Taite Music Prize winners:

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)

Previous Independent Music NZ Classic Record recipients:

2013 - Gordons – Gordons (Flying Nun)

2014 – Various Artists - AK79 (Ripper Records)

2015 - Herbs – What’s Be Happen? (Warrior Records)

2016 – Upper Hutt Posse – E T? (Jayrem Records)