The win enables year 12 students Anna Clinch and Heidi Slade, of Anna and Heidi, to be considered to face the country’s best musical talent at the national final in Auckland in September.
Placing second, Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School student Isla Sinclair, known as Lunar Fae, is also being considered to compete at the finals.
The top two solo or duo acts of the regional heat will now need to submit a video showing why they should be selected to perform for the national title.
“It was a surprise, we were both taken aback. When they announced second place we thought we were out,” said Heidi.
“I’ve done [rockquest] before, but you never know how it’s going to go or what the judges are into,” said Anna.
Anna and Heidi was brought to life during music class two years ago. It all clicked when they figured out that they “sound pretty good together.”
They like to consider themselves an indie rock band, but it was the lyrics, not the genre, that defined the duo’s sound.
Thanks to their families, they both grew up listening to an array of iconic artists - from Mazzy Star and the Boygenius trio to Fleetwood Mac, Blur, and Pink Floyd.
Being inspired by their lyrics, rather than the sound, is what influences the duo’s songwriting, and what they want to be known for.
Said Anna: “We always strive to do something different and out of our comfort zone. We don’t want people to look at a song title and know what kind of [sound] it will be.”
Of the acts that performed at The Aurora Centre on May 15, a further 24 bands from Canterbury schools will battle it out at the regional finals in June for a chance to perform at the national finals.
As regional winner of the Smokefree Tangata Beats award, “Haeata” of Haeata Community Campus is also being considered.
Founder and director Pete Rainey said while Smokefreerockquest is a competition, the environment is hugely supportive, with emphasis on participation.
“Between now and the regional final, the work participants will put in to prepare for the next stage is a big part of what makes Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats such valuable learning experiences,” he said.
“The solo-duo acts going into the video submission round, and the bands going into their regional final, will need to practise hard and make good use of networking opportunities and social media to promote themselves and their achievements.
“For a lot of students, these steps can be part of their NCEA assessments.”
At the Canterbury finals there will be awards for the top three bands, the Musicianship Award, ZM Best Song, Best Vocal, APRA Lyrics Award, and the People’s Choice.
Smokefreerockquest has national winners’ prize packages for bands and solo/duo winners that includes $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, $16,000 NZ On Air recording, a video and promo package, and a photo shoot and branding package from Imaginary Friends.
The Canterbury regional will take place at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre on June 4 and 5, from 7pm. Both events will take door sales for tickets.
The top 24 bands to play off at the Canterbury Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats regional finals next month:
Performing on June 4:
T3 – Cashmere High
JJ & the Stingers – Christ’s College
Burning Monk – Cashmere High School
Unknown – Christ’s College
Kenring – Middleton Grange
Bann’d From School – Christ’s College
The Degenerates – Kaiapoi High School and Burnside High School
Dear No One – Rangi Ruru Girls’ School
Ghosty Joes – Christ’s College
Portland – Cashmere High School
Haeata – Haeata Community Campus
By Tomorrow – Christ’s College
Performing on June 5:
Loud Division – Shirley Boys’ High School
Motion Project – Papanui High School
A Little Soul – St Andrew’s College and Christchurch Boys’ High School
High Voltage – St Andrew’s College
O Negative – Christchurch Boys’ High School and Shirley Boys’ High School
The Afterglows – St Andrew’s College
3D Howls – Burnside High School
Casper and the Frowny Face Club – St Andrew’s College
J15 – Avonside Girls’ High School
Red Weekend – Papanui High School
Black Wired – St Andrew’s College
Single Malt – Shirley Boys’ High School
- Tickets for the June 4 event can be found here.
