Twins shine bright at Smokefreerockquest

Otumoetai College Year 10 band French Doors won second place at the Smokefreerockquest regionals. Photo/supplied

A Whakatane band featuring two sets of twins won the Bay of Plenty regional final of the Smokefreerockquest last night.

Made Alive took out the event for the second year running, with Bleyne Heberley on drums, Jalen Heberley on guitar, Sophia Vandergulik singing, Christian Vandergulik on bass and Kauri Jackson on guitar and keyboard.

Bleyne said knowing what to expect helped the year 12 and 13 band prepare.

"There were some pretty good bands out there so it was still nerve-racking," he said.

"I think our rhythm section stood out with vocal harmonies and instrumentals, and our songs, which have messages about issues in the world today such as domestic violence and war."

Second place went to Otumoetai College band French Doors, featuring Emily Ardern on vocals, Flynn McLaughlin on drums, Grace Finnigan on keyboard, Sloane McNamara on bass and Jahvis Stantiall on lead guitar.

Both bands won musical gear and the opportunity to be considered for the national final.

They will have to prepare a 15-minute submission of their best material.

Solo-duo section first and second place winners Fletcher Oxford from Tauranga Boys' College and Samantha McCutchan from Taupo-nui-a-Tia College will also be able to submit for the finals.

Smokefreerockquest founder and director Pete Rainey said the Bay finalists would have to be well organised and work hard to make the most of the opportunity.

"They have to submit video footage of their original music that will be judged in August as we lead up to the national final," he said.

"This process not only demands musical ability and creativity, they also learn to work together as a group and to develop the organisation and promotional skills they'll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene."

The Smokefreerockquest national final will be held on Saturday, September 2 in Auckland.

BOP Smokefreerockquest regional award winners

Band
1st: Made Alive, Whakatane & Trident High Schools
2nd: French Doors, Otumoetai College
3rd: Bare Knuckled, Katikati &Rutherford Colleges

Solo/Duo
1st: Fletcher Oxford from Tauranga Boys' College
2nd: Samantha McCutchan from Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

Smokefree Pacifica Beats Award
Te Urewera, TKKM o Huiarau, Ruatahuna

APRA Lyric Award
Mackenzie Lines, Jovi, Bethlehem College Lowdown

Best Song
Anastasia, Western Heights High School

The Mainz Musicianship Award
Andrew Hannagan, guitarist, Bare Knuckled, Katikati College

Smokefree Vocals Award
Te Urewera, TKKM o Huiarau

People's Choice voted by text
Anastasia, Western Heights High School