SJD Wins Taite Music Prize

SJD, aka Sean Donnelly, has taken out the 2013 Taite Music Prize for his sixth album Elastic Wasteland released at the end of last year via Round Trip Mars. Awarded last night at ceremony in Auckland, Christchurch band the Gordons were also honoured with the new 'Independent Music NZ Classic Record' award as announced last week with band member John Haverlson in attendance to accept the award.

Here are tracks from both of the award winning records...

SJD 'The Lizard Kin'

The Gordons 'Sometimes'

Press Release:

The Taite Music Prize: announcing this year’s winner & the inaugural Independent Music NZ Classic Record recipientThe winner of the fourth annual Taite Music Prize 2013 is SJD for his album ‘Elastic Wasteland’ released on Round Trip Mars.

Freerange critic and member of the judging panel Gary Steel had this to say about the win:

"I gave Elastic Wasteland a 5 out of 5 star review in Metro magazine last year, noting that despite his position as 'probably the most critically acclaimed songwriter of his generation... the charts are bereft of his music, the awards not yet accumulating on his mantelpiece, and many still seem indifferent to his luminescent art-pop.'

I'm thrilled to have been able to play a small part in honouring Sean Donnelly aka SJD with the only award that recognises originality and innovation in music over the generic qualities associated with popularity-based prizes.

I just hope his mantelpiece is made of stern stuff, because it's a heavy award in more ways than one."

Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country's most highly respected music journalists, this was the fourth year for the prestigious award. The Taite Music Prize's purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. SJD wins a cash prize of $10,000, to be spent as he wishes. The Taite Music Prize is organised by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ), and PPNZ Music Licensing kindly supplies the cash prize. The winner will also receive free recording time at Red Bull Studios and a year’s supply of Red Bull product.

The award winner was announced at an invitation-only event attended by around 300 people at Galatos Live in Auckland’s central city. Julia Deans and Street Chant, both finalists in previous Taite Music Prize events, performed live sets for the gathered guests. The event was live-streamed to the public via NZ Herald Online.

The panel to determine the finalists was made up of a broad section of music media/industry specialists. The finalist judges made their decision based entirely on the artistic merit on the album. Sales, genres, artist recognition or popularity are not contributing factors in their decision making process.

IMNZ Chairperson Ben Howe said, “We are very proud to see the continued growth of our local music community and an event like the Taite Music Prize continues to attract a large number of really fantastic albums for consideration – so I’d wish to celebrate all the artists. Only one can take home this magnificent trophy however!”

Also presented at the ceremony was the Independent Music NZ Classic Record, which is a new award that aims to acknowledge New Zealand’s rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and that also define who we are.

The inaugural award was also determined by the judging panel, and they gave the nod to the GORDONS – ‘GORDONS’ album as one of NZ’s classic records. The award was presented by Shayne Carter and accepted by band member John Halvorsen.

Talking about the first Independent Music NZ Classic Record recipient, finalist judge Grant Smithies said: “…this first Gordons record remains unsurpassed for its nasty beauty, its ice-cold pessimism and white-hot intensity.” – Grant Smithies, Soundtracks: 118 Great New Zealand Albums (2007)

The Taite Music Prize

Presented by:
Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Official Partners:
PPNZ Music Licensing / NZ On Air (NZOA) / the Taite Family
Supporting Partners:
NZ Music Commission / The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) / Native
Tongue Music Publishing / Jagermeister / Red Bull / MOA Beer
Media Partners:
NZ Herald Online / Kiwi FM

Previous Taite Music Prize winners are:
2010 - Lawrence Arabia ‘Chant Darling’ (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 - Ladi6 - The Liberation Of (Question? Music)
2012 - Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)