Three melodious choirboys have thrashed their way to success in their alternative pop band Puzzle Puppets, winning the Otago Regional Smokefreerockquest.
Otago Boys' High School rhythm guitarist Connor Blackie, bass guitarist Callum Fisher and drummer Nick Alexander will go into the next round of the competition along with the region's solo/duo section winner, Sequoia Cunningham, of Logan Park High School.
Following the competition at King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre on Saturday night, Nick said the band had been together for eight months and played several gigs around Dunedin, but credited their experience in the school choir more for their success.
''We're all in the school choir. We sang in three-part harmony and I think that helped us stand out on the night, and we also had good energy on stage.''
Sequoia said she had studied classical singing for five years and had been writing her own songs for about the same length of time.
She found it hard to describe her own music.
''I'm not sure what it would be. Maybe a modern take on folk,'' she said.
''My songs are about people and feelings; cliche things really.''
Second-placed band the Criminally Insane, from Taieri College, and second-placed solo/duo St Hilda's Collegiate pupil Ihlara McIndoe, will also go through to the next round of the competition.
Rockquest founder and director Glenn Common said the four acts won musical gear and the opportunity to gain selection for the national final in Auckland on September 28.
''They now send in videos of their original music that will be judged in August as we lead up to the national final.
''This process demands creativity and musical ability, as well as learning to work together as a group and developing the organisation skills they'll need if they're going to make it on the Kiwi music scene,'' he said.
Other award winners on Saturday night were:
• Women's musicianship and third-placed band: Nova (Queen's High School)
• Lyric award: Danica and Karli of Girlz Remorse
• Best song: Perpetual Button (Kavanagh College)
• Musicianship award: Damin McCabe (King's High School)
• People's choice: Loose Endz (South Otago High School)
