Rock stars in the making at Wakatipu High

Of 17 bands from across Central, the Queenstown secondary school came out on top, with two of its bands taking out first and second place, one of the junior bands winning ‘best song’, and solo artist Mala Januszkiewicz winning the solo/duet category.

First-placed band, Atomica, comprising Bethany Graf, 18, Ted Coutts and Alfie Cameron, both 17, and Haru Kuroe, 15, formed at the start of this year.

Bethany, the lead singer, who also wrote the two songs they played in the final, says while she was confident in their ability "I was surprised when we were read out as winners, as there were some incredible bands".

Blues revival band 4BLU — Hugh Hodgson, 18, Jan Vavera, Alex Scoles and Emanuel Cardeno, all 17 — was runner-up.

Winning bands from the Central Otago Rockquest final are (from left) Ten:37, Tyler Simpson, Mia Ralph, Issac Ralph and Luc Theron, all 14; 4BLU, comprising of Alex Scoles, Emanuel Cardenoo, Jan Vavera, all 17, and Hugh Hodgson, 18, and Atomica, comprising of Haru Kuroe, 15, Ted Coutts and Alfie Cameron, both 17, and Bethany Graf, 18. Absent is Mala Januszkiewicz, who won the solo/duet category. photo: Rhyva van Onselen

Ten:37, comprising Mia Ralph, Issac Ralph, Tyler Simpson, Luana Kirchoff Pereira and Luc Theron, all 14, won the award for best song, while Mala Januszkiewicz, 16, won the solo/duo category with her song Unconditional.

The bands have been invited to submit a three-song video which’ll be judged by a panel of industry professionals — ultimately, the top 10 acts will perform in the national finals.

Meantime Ted, the guitarist for Atomica, flies out to the United States tomorrow to take up a five-week scholarship programme at Berklee College of Music.

By Olivia Judd