Kamo High band A08 wins Northland Smokefreerockquest final

Kamo High School band A08 took out first place at this year's Northland Smokefreerockquest final. Photos: Georgia Parker

Kamo High School band A08 have come first at this year's Northland Smokefreerockquest final.

The groovy-pop group were surprised to win at Forum North on Friday night, despite winning the Northland regional final last year.

Josh Burns (drums) puts their success down how dedicated they are to working as a group, which includes an hour-long practice every school day.

"We listen and we respond both instrumentally and vocally to each other, and that makes us tight and brings us together as one," Burns said.

"We also had a good fan base turn out tonight, and they were great. We really want to connect with them."

The other members of A08 are Olivia Sutherland and Maea Shepherd on vocals, Shayla Thomas on keyboard, Adam Roycroft on lead guitar and Regan Edwards on bass.

Second place in the band category went to two-piece Rillet from Broadwood Area School and Te Kura Taumata o Panguru. The rock group is made up of cousins Allen Karena on drums, and John-Alec Grbich on bass. Grbich also won the MAINZ Musicianship award on the night.

Duo Rillet from Broadwood Area School and Te Kura Taumata o Panguru, came second in the Smokefreerockquest regional final.

The two acts win musical gear from associate sponsors NZ Rockshops, and join solo-duo winners for Huia Shortland from Te Kapehu Whetu-Teina, and No Credit (Giorgia Davies and Israel Reid) from Kerikeri High School in the opportunity to gain selection for the national final in September.

Smokefreerockquest founder and director Glenn Common said there were more bands than ever before reaching the high standard required from national finalists.

"This means that real dedication is required to achieve the 'stand-out quality' that the judges will be looking for," he said.

"They have to capture 15 minutes of their original material on video for selection as national finalists. It's a process that demands creativity and musical ability, being able to work together as a group and having good organisational skills. What separates them out is perseverance – industry success seldom happens overnight."

Common encouraged those who didn't make it through to stick with their music.

Reflecks, from Kerikeri High school, came third in Friday's Northland Smokefreerockquest regional final.

Northland winners

Band 1: A08, Kamo High; Band 2: Rillet, Broadwood Area School Te Kura Taumata o Panguru; Band 3: Reflecks, Kerikeri High school.

Solo/Duo 1: Huia Shortland from Te Kapehu Whetu – Teina; Solo/Duo 2: No Credit (Giorgia Davies and Israel Reid), Kerikeri High.

Smokefree Tangata Beats Award: Harmonies Divergent, Bay of Islands College; ZM People's Choice: Soup of the Day, Rodney College; Smokefree Best Vocals: Live Wire, Mahurangi College; MAINZ Musicianship: John-Alec Grbich of Rillet, Broadwood AS; Best Song: The Violet Violets, Bream Bay College; Fatboy Style Award: Ke Lo Ke, Whangārei GHS, Pompallier Catholic School; APRA Lyric Writers' Award: Maea Sherpard of A08, Kamo High.