Street Chant Win Critics Choice Prize

Big congratulations to Street Chant who have won the first ever NZ Music Awards Critics Choice Prize! The award was decided and presented last night at the Kings Arm Tavern in Auckland after they played a killer live set along with two other shortlisted acts: Home Brew and The Naked and Famous. So unexpected was the win that singer/guitarist Emily Littler fell to the floor in front of us when their name was called out and proceeded to clutch her face Home Alone styles in complete disbelief before heading to the stage to accept their prize, which includes $5000 to spend at the Rock Shop and recording time at York Street Studios (complete prize details below) - good work guys!

Click HERE to watch part of their performance.

The Critics Choice Award was launched this year in association with the New Zealand Music Awards to celebrate upcoming talent in NZ. All artists are eligible as long as, at the time of nomination, they have not released an album, or been a finalist in the NZMAs before. Nominations are made by a panel of 13 judges who narrow it down to a shortlist of three to perform live before the judges who then vote to decide the winner.

The complete prize this year includes: recording time at York Street Studios, $5,000 worth of equipment from NZ Rockshop and mentoring from Dave McLaughlin from McLaughlin Law, Lynda Parsons from Entertainment Accounting, touring guru Brent Eccles and various members of the Music Managers Forum.