Double nod for Don of songwriting

Don McGlashan has already won a Silver Scroll, in 1994 for 'Anchor Me'.

If you were betting on the winner of this year's APRA Silver Scroll - effectively the New Zealand song-of-the-year award - then Don McGlashan would seem to be a hot favourite.

And not just because he has figured in the awards before, after winning for Anchor Me in 1994. It's because he's nominated twice this year.

He's up for Miracle Sun, a track from Warm Hand, his debut solo album.

He's also there for Bathe In The River, the song he wrong to order for the soundtrack of film No. 2 and which - after being recorded with Hollie Smith on scorching lead vocals - has taken up permanent residence in the national singles charts since its release six months ago.

McGlashan isn't the first Silver Scroll double nominee. Dave Dobbyn was nominated twice in 1995 - though he didn't win for either, possibly because of a split in votes.

McGlashan could suffer a similar split, though the songs' diverse style and delivery might set them apart for the secret panel of Silver Scroll judges who assess nominated songs on musical and lyrical worth, rather than commercial performance.

This year's list features last year's winners, band of brothers Evermore, for their hit Running. Also nominated are singer-songwriter Anika Moa for Stolen Hill, and James Milne, leader of band the Reduction Agents, for his track The Pool.

The nominees were a "moody" bunch, said Ant Healey, APRA's director of NZ operations in yesterday's nomination announcement.

"From The Pool, with its quirky lyrics about impossible love, to Bathe in the River, which promises an escape from suffering, to the angular and evocative Stolen Hill and the reflective and nostalgic Miracle Sun. Even Running, with its uplifting, stonking chorus, has an angsty quality, anticipating loss and disillusionment."

In other words, it captures the feeling of the morning after if you don't win.

Also being presented at the Auckland Town Hall on September 20 will be the Sounz Contemporary Award, recognising creative excellence by a New Zealand classical composer and the Apra Maioha Award, presented for the best Maori waiata of the year.

The Silver Scroll nods come seven days before next week's announcement of the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards.