French Doors lead singer Emily Ardern. Photo / Supplied
French Doors lead singer Emily Ardern. Photo / Supplied
Western Bay performers took out the top placings and all but one award at the Smokefreerockquest Bay of Plenty regional final on Saturday night.
Last year Otumoetai College band French Doors just missed out on the top spot, but this year they made it to number one.
The five-piece group - who describe their music style as "alt-rock groove" - have been together for three years.
Their frontwoman, 15-year-old Emily Ardern, said their success was mostly down to how well they worked together.
The band are made up of Grace Finnigan on keyboard, Jahvis Stantiall on guitar and backing vocals, Ardern on lead vocals, Flynn McLaughlin on drums, and Sloane McNamara on bass.
French Doors members Grace Finnigan, Jahvis Stantiall, Emily Ardern, Flynn McLaughlin and Sloane McNamara. Photo / Supplied
Ardern said they had practised every weekday and played regular gigs for stage experience in the leadup to the competition.
"We are really proud of ourselves, it's awesome to see our hard work paid off."
She said the next step for the band was to film and submit a video with four original songs to try to earn the opportunity to compete in the national Rockquest final.
They were hoping to film at Vinyl Destination in the Tauranga CBD, a business Ardern thanked for its "huge" support for the band.
Second place in the band category went to Blackout from Tauranga Boys College, whose members are Andre Moffat on vocals, Tane Livingston on bass, Blake Thomas and Aiden Mogford on guitar, and Levi Watts on drums.
Waihi's Bree Rose, aka Brianna Rackman, was the top solo/duo act. Photo / Supplied
Meanwhile, Waihī solo performer Bree Rose - aka Brianna Rackman - came back from a disappointing result last year to win the top prize in the solo/duo category.
The 15-year-old, who has been writing songs since she was 10 and won the category when she was 13 - said the difference this year was confidence.
"I just had fun with the song. I was proud of myself," said Brianna, who performs most weekends at Waihī restaurants and bars.
She said she hoped to make a career out of her talents - which included playing guitar and piano as well as singing - and said the ultimate goal was to be a performer and travel the world.
Second place went to Fletcher Oxford from Tauranga Boys College.
The four acts will win musical gear from sponsor NZ Rockshops and have the opportunity to gain selection for the national final in Auckland in September.
Smokefreerockquest Bay of Plenty regional winners
Best band 1st: French Doors, Otumoetai College 2nd: Blackout, Tauranga Boys College 3rd: The Good Stuff, Bethlehem College
Solo/Duo 1st Bree Rose, Katikati College 2nd: Fletcher Oxford, Tauranga Boys College
Other awards ZM People's Choice: Three Quarters Late, Bethlehem College Smokefree Best Vocal: Shae Northfield, Tauranga Girls College MAINZ Musicianship: Jack Hendy of The Good Stuff, Bethlehem College Best Song: French Doors, Otumoetai College Fatboy Style Award: Cian Alison of Vanguard, Trident High School and St Joseph's Catholic School.
