Flight of the Conchords swoop on the Tuis

October 8, 2008


The 2008 Tuis have been handed out tonight (Oct. 8) at the biggest-ever production in the 43-year history of the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.


Flight of the Conchords and Opshop have cleaned up at the star-studded event at Auckland’s Vector Arena with each group bagging four Tuis.


Flight of the Conchords has taken out the coveted Nokia Album of the Year with the duo’s debut self-titled album. The record also netted the superstar duo the Steinlager Pure Best Group and the Kiwi FM Breakthrough Artist of the Year awards.


Popular favourite Opshop is back in force for 2008 adding four more Tuis to its bulging trophy cabinet.  Opshop knocked back strong competition from Tiki Taane and Shihad to win the prestigious Vodafone Single of the Year for the super hit One Day.


Opshop also won Highest Selling NZ Single (One Day), Highest Selling NZ Album (Second Hand Planet), and NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year (Maybe). 


International Achievement Awards were presented to Savage and Flight of the Conchords. 


Savage’s single Swing has been a huge hit on the US Singles chart with sales topping half a million and the track has been remixed by international hip-hop superstar Soulja Boy.  Meanwhile, Flight of the Conchords’ debut album and popular HBO show has seen the comedy duo receive a Grammy, the highest ever place for a New Zealand artist album on the US Album chart (#3) and numerous Emmy nominations.


Firm favourite Tiki Taane was nominated for a formidable eight Tui awards and was a popular winner of the Best Aotearoa Roots Album.


Straitjacket Fits has been honoured for its contribution to New Zealand Music, receiving the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award and being inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.  The band was at the forefront of the second wave of the Dunedin sound in the late ‘80s that propelled it to international stardom.


Star-studded super group The Fast Women – Julia Deans (Fur Patrol), Anika Moa, Lani Purkis, (Elemeno P) and Greta Anderson (Superette) – paid homage to  Straitjacket Fits.  The all-girl band, who came together especially for this performance, delighted a packed Vector Arena with a rendition of the popular Straitjacket Fits’ hit She Speeds.


Tuis also went to:

  • The Vodafone People’s Choice Award, voted by New Zealand music fans: Parachute Band
  • Best Male Solo Artist:  Liam Finn for I’ll Be Lightning
  • Mazda Best Female Solo Artist:  Anika Moa for In Swings The Tide
  • C4 Best Music Video:  Ian Hart for Her Hairagami Set (The Brunettes).
  • PPNZ Best Rock Album:  Shihad for Beautiful Machine
  • Best Urban / Hip Hop Album:  Scribe for Rhymebook
  • Best Dance / Electronica Album:  Recloose for Perfect Timing
  • Best Maori Album: Ruia for 12:21 Tekau Ma Rua, Rua Tekau Ma Wha
  • Best Gospel / Christian Album:  All Left Out for The Conquest
  • Best Classical Album:  Michael Houstoun for Inland.


New Zealand Music Awards spokesperson Campbell Smith says the awards again reflect the outstanding quality and variety of New Zealand Music in 2007 and 2008.


“There was some outstanding music made and released in New Zealand over the period and what is most pleasing is the variety. We are making great music across all genres - and even more encouraging is the fact our music is being heard around the world. If you look at our list of winners this year you’ll see many of them have earned considerable international recognition. 


“We’re also thrilled to honour Straitjacket Fits with The New Zealand Herald Legacy Award and NZ Music Hall of Fame induction.  We wouldn’t be celebrating such a diverse array of New Zealand music without the musical heritage that icons such as Straitjacket Fits created.”


Edited highlights of the 2008 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards screen tonight (October 8) on C4 from 8.30pm and on TV3 on Saturday at 10.30pm.


For more about the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards go to www.vnzma.co.nz

 

Issued for the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand by Pead PR

 

 

Contacts:

Campbell Smith, RIANZ. Tel: 0-9-360 5085; campbell@rianz.org.nz

Kel Grindle, Pead PR, Tel: 0-9-918 5534; Mob: 021-334-447, kelly@peadpr.co.nz


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