By Dylan Moran
The finalists for the 2011 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards have been announced and they are music to the ears of The Naked and Famous.
The breakout year is continuing for Auckland indie rock band who have picked up seven award nominations, going one better than Dane Rumble and Gin Wigmore who were each nominated for six awards in 2010.
The Naked and Famous have also won two technical awards, which were also announced today. Beastwars won the third technical award for best album cover.
This year's awards give the band their chance to make up for last year’s awards disappointment, when they were passed over as critic's choice in favour of Street Chant – who are this year up for one award.
The Naked and Famous are joined at the top by Brooke Fraser and Ladi6 who are each nominated in five categories.
Three years after receiving the Australian Recording Industry Association hall of fame award, iconic New Zealand band Dragon will receive the Legacy award, a reflection of their impact on the NZ industry even though this never translated into commercial success, with the band only breaking into the top 10 on the NZ charts with two singles.
As in NZ Music Award tradition, the Legacy award winners will get to hear one of their songs performed live by another NZ band, and be inducted into the NZ music hall of fame. Supergroove have been announced as the band to cover a Dragon song, but which single will is being kept under wraps.
His off-stage antics now sorted, Tiki Taane will be pleased with his three nominations and Six60, who released their debut album Rise Up 2.0 last year, are also in the running for three awards. Joining the bunch of acts with three nominations are David Dallas, Kids of 88 and Avalanche City.
Dallas has the chance to win the Best Urban/Hip Hop album for The Rose Tint, after taking out the same award in 2010 with his debut album Something Awesome.
Australian Idol winner Stan Walker is also in for two gongs, including Best Male Solo Artist and People’s Choice.
The 46th New Zealand Music Awards will be held at Auckland’s Vector Arena on November 3rd.
Full list of nominees:
Russian Standard Vodka Album of The Year
The Naked and Famous – Passive Me Aggressive You
Ladi6 – The Liberation Of…
Brooke Fraser – Flags
Avalanche City – Our New Life Above the Ground
David Dallas – The Rose Tint
Vodafone Single of The Year
The Naked and Famous – 'Young Blood'
Avalanche City – 'Love Love Love'
Ladi6 – 'Like Water'
Brooke Fraser – 'Something in the Water'
Six60 – 'Rise Up 2.0'
FOUR Best Group
The Naked and Famous – Passive Me Aggressive You
Shihad – Ignite
Kids of 88 – Sugarpills
Best Male Solo Artist
Tiki Taane – In the World of Light
David Dallas – The Rose Tint
Stan Walker – From The Inside Out
Best Female Solo Artist
Brooke Fraser – Flags
Ladi6 – The Liberation Of…
Julia Deans – Modern Fables
Pacific Blue Breakthrough Artist of The Year
The Naked and Famous – Passive Me Aggressive You
Six60 – Rise Up 2.0
Avalanche City – Our New Life Above the Ground
PPNZ Best Rock Album
Shihad – Ignite
Caro Knife Fight – Cairo Knife Fight
Beastwars – Beastwars
The Edge Best Pop Album
Brooke Fraser – Flags
Kids of 88 – Sugarpills
Julia Deans – Modern Fables
Best Alternative Album
The Naked and Famous – Passive Me Aggressive You
Street Chant – Means
Die! Die! Die! – Form
Serato Best Urban / Hip Hop Album
Ladi6 – The Liberation Of…
David Dallas – The Rose Tint
PNC – Man on Wire
Best Roots Album
TrinityRoots – Music is Choice
House of Shem – Island Vibration
Katchafire – On the Road Again
NZ On Air Best Music Video
Special Problems – 'Punching In A Dream' (The Naked and Famous)
Special Problems – 'Broken Machine' (Zowie)
Faye McNeil – 'Like Water' (Ladi6)
Best Electronica Album
Tiki Taane – In the World of Light
State of Mind – Nil By Ear
Concord Dawn – The Enemy Within
Best Maori Album
Tiki Taane – In the World of Light
Miss Black – Black Light
Wai – Ora
Best Gospel / Christian Album
Parachute Band – Love Without Measure
The Ember Days – Finger Painting EP
Juliagrace – Beautiful Survivor
Best Classical Album
John Psathas – Helix
Flight – Flight
New Zealand String Quartet – Notes from a Journey
Vodafone People’s Choice Award
Ladi6
Brooke Fraser
Six60
Stan Walker
The Naked and Famous
New Zealand Herald Legacy Award
Dragon
2011 Gravity Coffee Critics’ Choice
Kimbra
Popstrangers
The Unfaithful Ways
WINNERS OF
TECHNICAL AWARDS:
Best Album
Cover: Nick Keller for Beastwars (Beastwars)
MAINZ Best
Engineer: Thom Powers, Aaron Short & Olly Harmer
for Passive Me Aggressive You (The Naked and
Famous)
MAINZ Best
Producer: Thom Powers and Aaron Short for Passive Me Aggressive You (The Naked and Famous)
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