Music Awards: Broadcasting the best

Dai Henwood host of the 2009 NZ Music Awards. Photo / Janna Dixon

DAI HENWOOD
C4

What are your New Zealand music highlights of 2009?
'All On Our Own' by Midnight Youth. It has become my shower song. I used to lather up to 'Beautiful Day' but now I have the Youth in the shower. Does that sound right?

The success of Smashproof. Everyone seems to be getting into the song 'Brother'.

The new album from Fat Freddy's Drop. As a band they make me happy and having fresh tunes from them makes me happier!

What can we expect from 2010?
Who knows? New Zealand music is so strong right now. Bands like Kids of 88 came out of the woodwork and hit the charts straight away. I reckon more hip-hop/electro crossover.

What's your favourite music awards memory?
Hosting my first music awards and opening them with a dance performed by myself and heaps of cheerleaders.

Essential album of 2009?
The Black Seeds Solid Ground.


SHARYN WAKEFIELD
The Edge

What are your New Zealand music highlights of 2009?
Seeing Luger Boa play live at an all ages show and watching the looks on the kids' faces – you could tell they were getting a musical education. Going on The Edge Summer Jam national tour and seeing that the New Zealad bands were the only bands not using back up tracks or miming any parts of their songs. And Homegrown selling out!

What can we expect from 2010?
New Zealand music to get bigger, better, more creative and different styles!

Looking at the music scene at the moment, so many bands are getting out of their comfort zones and trying new things. It's pretty exciting!

What's your favourite music awards memory?
Tiki last year with the kapa haka group and visual effects. It was really airy and, yep I'm gonna be girly, it was beautiful. Also I met Grandpa from Outrageous Fortune in the media room. I stuttered the entire time though.

Essential album of 2009?
Opensouls Standing in the Rain. Tyra Hammond's voice is incredible, perfect summer album, everything about it is amazing.


GLENN 'WAMMO' WILLIAMS
Kiwi FM

What are your New Zealand music highlights of 2009?
Module's soundtrack to video game Shatter (essential track: 'Kinetic Harvest'), Sam Hunt's collaboration with The Clean's David Kilgour, and a soundscape from Rhian Sheehan that appeals to cinematic minds the world over.

What can we expect from 2010?
More NZ recording artists will be looking for innovative opportunities to market their music online and overseas. Many will work closely with other creative sectors such as film, games and online video to produce works move away from the old model of releasing an album and crossing fingers. Many more musicians will seek to turn their online communities into effective sources of income and music sales overall will continue to increase. Bailter Space will reform and tour internationally.

What's your favourite music awards memory?
One of my favourite moments was out the back of the 2007 awards chatting to the lads from The Mint Chicks after their massive wins. There were well deserved grins and a fantastic atmosphere created by the indie chaps making it good on the national stage.

Essential album of 2009?
Hello-Fi by James Duncan. Crafted by the man who normally spends his time playing in Dimmer and SJD, this is a wee noodly pop gem.


JONO PRYOR
C4

What are your New Zealand music highlights of 2009?
Fly My Pretties, the overseas success of many Kiwi artists this year and Shihad's 21st birthday.

What can we expect from 2010?
I hear Hayley Westenra will be dipping her toes into death metal.

What's your favourite music awards memory?
Been to the last four or so and definitely last year was a ripper, a great night's entertainment. Plus they had tasty spring rolls.

Essential album of 2009?
Just One Fix Blood Horizon.


PHIL BOSTWICK
C4
What are your New Zealand music highlights of 2009?
Smashproof's no. 1 record, being on set for Anika Moa's kissing video and the new EP from Kidz in Space.

What can we expect from 2010?
These people/bands will become (more) world famous: Liam Finn, Gin, Mint Chicks, Kidz in Space, Computers Want Me Dead, James Duncan and Popstrangers.

What's your favourite music awards memory?
It's a toss up between seeing Paul Holmes in a full white suit flanked by Nicky Watson and Aja Rock, and Anthony Starr presenting an award after consuming a few too many.

Essential album of 2009?
Chant Darling Lawrence Arabia.