Dunedin band the DFenders have booked themselves a table at the 2008 New Zealand Music Awards.
Finalists for the awards, otherwise known as the Tuis, were announced on Wednesday night, with the Dunedin quartet finishing in the top five of the people's choice section.
That meant some urgent conversations among band members yesterday as they sought the best deal for flights from Dunedin to Auckland to attend the finals bash at the Vector Arena on October 8.
Decided on the basis of fans voting via the Internet or mobile phone texts, the award shortlist also includes Nesian Mystik, the Parachute Band, Antiform and Horseman Family.
With the exception of Auckland hip-hop outfit Nesian Mystik, all could be regarded as smaller independent bands, DFenders keyboard player Adon Moskal said yesterday.
"We are so enthusiastic about it and so happy to be there among those other bands. It is down to the fans.
"Without them, we wouldn't be anywhere," said Moskal, who formed the band in 2005 with bass player and singer Luke Herlihy.
Guitarist Mike Carter and drummer Matt Taine complete the line-up.
The DFenders' members, all students at the University of Otago, will find themselves in good company at the awards: former Salmonella Dub frontman Tiki Taane is a finalist in six categories;
Liam Finn picks up four spots, while Flight of the Conchords, Shihad and the Phoenix Foundation grab three, and Scribe and Anika Moa two.
