Music News

Aldous Harding Wins 2019 APRA Silver Scroll Award

C.C. / Thursday 3rd October, 2019 10:10AM

Lyttelton songwriter Aldous Harding took away took away 2019's coveted APRA Silver Scroll Award for her beguiling single 'The Barrel', from the artist's third studio album Designer, which released to global acclaim in April. Speculation was fierce around who would win the prestigious prize this year, with Harding in the running alongside finalists Tiny Ruins, The Beths, Benee and Avantdale Bowling Club – Harding also sung on Marlon Williams' 2018's Silver Scroll winning song 'Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore'. Currently playing shows in the US with fellow finalists Tiny Ruins, Harding accepted the award via projected video feed in the cavernous surrounds of Tāmaki Makaurau's Spark Arena. Madeleine Sami (Sami Sisters) handled MC duties for the evening with considerable aplomb (and hilarious adlibs) and following tradition, 2019's Musical Director Nathan Haines curated a selection of local artists (often featuring Haines on a variety of instruments) reimagining each finalist's song live at the awards ceremony.

Highlights from the evening included Ria Hall's timely speech for the Maioha Award challenging attendees to address diversity failure in Aotearoa's music industry, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hitting the stage to present the main award accompanied by a cranking Alien Weaponry soundtrack, an absolutely gorgeous star-studded cover of 'Blue Smoke' by 2019 New Zealand Music Hall Of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa inductees Ruru Karaitiana, Pixie Williams and Jim Carter, and a surprise concluding performance of BLERTA's 'Dance All Around The World', featuring original vocalist Corban Simpson. Check out the full list of awards presented here, and experience RNZ's superb footage of the night's performances and more below...

APRA Silver Scroll: Hannah Topp aka Aldous Harding – The Barrel

APRA Maioha Award: Tyna Keelan, Angelique Te Rauna and Matauranga Te Rauna – Ka Ao

SOUNZ Contemporary Award: Michael Norris – Sama Violin Concerto

APRA Best Original Music in a Series: Karl Steven – The Bad Seed

APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film: Mike Newport – Mega Time Squad

Hall of Fame: Ruru Karaitiana, Pixie Williams, and Jim Carter

Watch Aldous Harding's acceptance speech for the 2019 APRA Silver Scroll Award, presented by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern...

Lisa Tomlins, Kirsten Te Rito and band performed 'Blue Smoke' by 2019 New Zealand Music Hall Of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa inductees Ruru Karaitiana, Pixie Williams and Jim Carter...