New Zealand's next singer-songwriter sensation is Harry Parsons from Waikato who took out the new category for solo or duos at this year's Smokefreerockquest National final last night.
The Cambridge High School student went solo this year and moved from punk and metal to folk or alternative songs. Harry has been surrounded by music all his life as his father is a professional musician.
The top six bands and top two soloists played last night to judges and a capacity crowd at the Epsom Girls Grammar School Raye Freedman Arts Centre.
More than 2,000 young musicians competed from Invercargill to Whangarei.
The solo winner's prizes include $3,000 worth of gear from NZ Rockshops; recording and music video grant from NZ on Air; inclusion on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc; and radio promotional support.
