A Nelson band has taken out New Zealand's high school music award for the second year in a row, at the Smokefree Rockquest final in Hamilton last night.
New Vinyl, a quirky three-piece with a folk jazz sound and an unusual combination of instruments, won $10,000 worth of instruments and a recording grant worth more than $10,000 among other prizes.
The Nelson College year 12 and 13 members of New Vinyl are Ed Palmer (double bass), Alex Farrell-Davey (guitar and vocals) and Allister Meffan (accordion and trumpet).
Farrell-Davey said he believed the band's originality, as well as "practice, practice, practice", had helped them win.
"When we heard the other finalists we didn't think we'd win - they were so talented, but we are really stoked," he said.
Rockquest founder and director Pete Rainey said it was almost an embarrassment of riches to have a Nelson band win again, after last year's success for The Peasants from Nelson's Garin College.
"We can be really proud that Nelson kids are getting great support from their teachers and from this event," he said.
"Glenn (Common, co-founder and director) and I can just enjoy Nelson's success - although the event is organised from Nelson, we are completely outside the judging process."
One of the judges, Jeff Newton of NZ on Air, said New Vinyl gave a mature performance with solid vocals and melodies.
Second place went to Auckland pianist and singer Indi - 18-year-old Indira Force from ACG Senior College.
Acoustic duo Luke and Amberly from Kamo High School, Whangarei, took third place along with the best song award.
NZN