Since the early 90s, the awards have been known as the Tuis because the trophy design was inspired by the songbird. I had mistakenly thought for many years it was a tribute to Prince Tui Teka. But no, we live in a country where everything is named after a bird or a plant. Even 800g bits of gold-plated aluminium given to our finest music talents
But the Tui name has been round for some time now. It's confusing. Mention "Tui" to anyone and the automatic response is "yeah, right."
So, clearly it's time for a name change. So yes, let's name them the Lordes. Some might say doing that is just a cruel reminder to every nominated New Zealand musician who hasn't become a global phenomenon. But it sure is extra incentive to do something about that - that winning a Lorde is just the start, not an end in itself. Unless you're Lorde. And if Lorde is too, well, New Years Honours List, how about "Ella"? No?
Lydia Jenkin
I like Lorde. I like Pure Heroine. And I think she deserves a few awards tonight, because she's done something that most people in the industry will tell you was by no means easy peasy lemon squeezy: she made an album that appealed to the mainstream and the cool kids.
But there's also a whole swathe of other music released this year that I feel was just as good, and I'm sure Lorde herself would agree that she ain't the only one who knows how to make some damn fine music in this country.
We shouldn't forget all the rockers and roots artists, classical and electronica, just because someone won a Grammy.
Tiny Ruins writes miraculously touching tunes, which have had her performing more than 80 shows in the past four months. Ladi6 and David Dallas both continue to push the boundaries of genre, fusing hip-hop and electronic worlds with their own soulful vocals.
Sol3 Mio have charmed the pants off just about every household in the country, and acts like Liam Finn and The Naked and Famous, continue to prove that we often led the world in innovative indie pop long before Lorde arrived on the scene.
Not to mention all the wonderful folk, country, and jazz artists, whose awards have already been given out, but should really be included at main event.
Our music scene would be a sad place without the diversity of artists who devote themselves to tantalising our earholes, and if you've ever had the good fortune to have a concert from a tui, whose own song is tantalisingly diverse, you'll understand why nicknaming our NZ Music Awards the "Tuis" was a good idea in the first place.
- TimeOut
