Anthonie Tonnon Awarded Taite Music Prize 2022

Injecting some much-needed glitz and glamour back into our independent music community, still haunted by the spectre of the past two years' stop / start pandemic restrictions, the Taite Music Prize presentation ceremony returned to Tāmaki Makaurau's Q Theatre last night. Presented by Independent Music NZ (IMNZ) and named in tribute to the work of legendary Aotearoa music journalist Dylan Taite, this year's ceremony was again hosted with considerable panache by Sarah Thomson (NZ On Air), with the thirteenth annual main prize going to Whanganui songwriter and public transport activist Anthonie Tonnon, for his album Leave Love Out Of This (Slow Time Records). While there was no concluding live musical performance this year, Tonnon's eloquent acceptance speech was an inspiration, joined on stage by close collaborator Jonathan Pearce (The Beths).

Opened with a two song performance by Reb Fountain and band, winners on the night also included Jazmine Mary, who took away the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award for their debut album The Licking of a Tangerine, the Independent Spirit Award was granted to the absolutely iconic Karyn Hay ONZM for her contribution to music awareness in Aotearoa since the '80s, The Independent Music NZ Classic Record award was presented to producer Alan Jansson for 1994's massively influential PROUD - An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation, and Tony Stamp (RNZ Music's The Sampler, Song Crush) won the inaugural NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism (finalists also included UTR's 2021 editorial team Chris Cudby and Annabel Kean) — alongside a judge’s special commendation of Alison Mau’s work for Stuff covering NZ music industry practices and sexual harm prevention.

"This has been a special celebration this evening in so many ways, and I wish all of the winners my hearty congratulations. What a privilege to present this event on behalf of our membership and the wider music community. Top work everyone!" — Dylan Pellett, General Manager Independent Music New Zealand

Watch Sports Team's magical video for Anthonie Tonnon's on-point 'Entertainment', from Leave Love Out Of This...