Lawrence Arabia Takes Out First Tait Music Prize

In a ceremony held last night Lawrence Arabia aka James Milne was announced the winner of the first ever Tait Music Prize for his album Chant Darling.

The award is named after music journalist Dylan Tait and will be awarded annually from now on, the prize being $10,000 cash for the artist to spend as they wish.

Lawrence Arabia was one of 5 finalists chosen from a list of artists nominated by IMNZ members and was judged the winner by a panel of 10: Sam Wicks (Real Groove), Jim Pinckney (Round Trip Mars), Dean Cameron (1157 Records), David Farrier (TV3), Kirsten Johnstone (Radio NZ), Ross Flahive (The Edge), Scott Maclachlan (Universal Music), Francesca Rudkin (Freelance music journalist), Bernie Griffin (Flaming Pearl) and John Taite (Dylan’s son).

The other nominees were:

• The Checks – Alice by the Moon
• David Dallas – Something Awesome
• Kerretta – Vilayer
• Shapeshifter – The System is a Vampire

This is Jame's second major award relating to the album, the first being the Silver Scroll Award he received last year for "Apple Pie Bed".  He and band are currently based in the UK and are US bound soon.