Songwriters prepare to unroll the Silver Scroll

By RUSSELL BAILLIE Entertainment editor

It's a very big few days in New Zealand music with the World Series showcases at the St James, which could do for our purveyors of rock what fashion week did for our exporters of frock.

Tonight, though, it's across the road to the Civic for the annual APRA (Australasian Performing RightAssociation) Silver Scroll - the award awarded by New Zealand songwriters for the year's best song.

Last year's award was overshadowed by APRA naming the top 30 New Zealand songs of all time. The scroll was won by Neil Finn for Turn and Run, a track off his album One Nil.

The previous year's award went to Chris Knox for My Only Friend.

Those victories might indicate that this award, which is judged on merit and not commercial success, is a gold watch for rock veterans for songs hardly anyone but their most devoted fans have heard.

However, the 1999 winner was hip-hop star King Kapisi (for Reverse Resistance), and there's a big hip-hop quotient this year.

Here's a quick guide to tonight's finalists:

* Misty Frequencies by Che Fu (written by Che and Godfrey de Grut): A Stevie Wonder-ish ode to the power of radiowaves.

For: It's an effective love song to music without getting all Barry Manilow about it.

Against: It's a little long in the tooth (a 2002 single off a 2001 album).

* Life Will Be The Same by betchadupa (written by Liam Finn and Chris Garland): Dreamy strum-along guitar pop of falsetto vocals and sweet harmonies.

For: Neatly mixes its plaintive intimate mood with adventurous guitar playing.

Against: It takes just over five minutes to say not very much.

* It's On by Nesian Mystik (written by Donald McNulty, David Atai, Feleti Strickson-Pua, Te Awanui Reeder, Junior Rikiau): One of the biggest selling local singles this year, the debut single by the young central Auckland outfit is a vibrant mix of Pasifikan hip-hop, R&B pop hooks and rampantly funky Spanish guitar.

For: Its infectious happy-go-lucky mood combined with its ensemble vocals which are two parts tongue-tripping rap to one part smooth pop croon.

Against: What exactly is the "It" that is "On"?

* Fallen Angels by Deceptikonz (written by Marak Sagapolutele, David Puniani, Demetrius, Savielo/Daniel Maoate/ Pete Wadams): Gospel-backed tag-team rap by South Auckland crew contemplating a long list of big questions about life, the universe and everything.

For: The most hip-hop of this year's hip-hop entries.

Against: A bit morbid.

* Maybe Tomorrow by Goldenhorse (Geoffrey Maddock/Kristen Morelle): Breezy guitar pop of a pastoral mood which reminds of early 90s English band The Sundays.

For: It features the only female lead vocal among the nominees.

Against: The band, nominated last year too for American Wife, have better songs on their newly released debut album Riverhead.