2012 Taite Music Prize
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| 2012 Taite Music Prize | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | The best NZ album released in 2011 |
| Sponsored by | PPNZ Music Licensing |
| Date | 20 April, 2012 |
| Venue | Q Theatre, Auckland |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Eligibility | New Zealand albums released in 2011 |
| Acts | Ladi6 & Julien Dyne (DJ) |
| Reward | $10,000 |
| Winner | Unknown Mortal Orchestra (album), by Unknown Mortal Orchestra |
| Website | indies.co.nz |
The third annual Taite Music Prize was presented on 20 April at a ceremony in Auckland, organised by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ). The winner of the main award was Unknown Mortal Orchestra for their self-titled debut album.
The ceremony and its main award share the "Taite Music Prize" name. This award recognises New Zealand's best album of the previous year (2011), based on artistic merit, creativity, innovation and excellence. Commercial performance is specifically excluded.[1] The winner, Unknown Mortal Orchestra by Unknown Mortal Orchestra, was selected by a panel of ten judges.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra was a new project for former Mint Chick Ruban Nielson, and the winning album was its first. Now based in Portland, Oregon, he accepted the award via video and said he felt very appreciated. The prize included $10,000 from PPNZ Music Licensing, which he expected to spend on health insurance and making a new album.[2][3]
Judging panel member Hugh Sundae said the album was "exciting and fucking awesome".[4]
Nominations and finalists
After an open call for nominations that ran from December 2011, a record total of 87 albums were entered. This list went to a vote of all IMNZ members (plus 20 other industry experts), which found seven finalists who were announced in early March. In the award's third year, David Dallas became the first two-time finalist.[1][5]
| Artist | Album | Label | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bats | Free All the Monsters | Flying Nun Records | Nominated |
| Beastwars | Beastwars | Destroy Records | Nominated |
| David Dallas | The Rose Tint | Dirty Records | Nominated |
| Andrew Keoghan | Arctic Tales Divide | Brave Beluga Records | Nominated |
| She's So Rad | In Circles | Round Trip Mars | Nominated |
| Tiny Ruins | Some Were Meant For The Sea | Spunk Records | Nominated |
| Unknown Mortal Orchestra | Unknown Mortal Orchestra | Seeing Records | Won |
