NZ Music Awards finalists

Len Brown, down with hiphoppers since forever. Just don't ask him about Ice Cube and that time he tried to get him banned from South Auckland. Photo by DJ Substance, with Homebrew

Full list of finalists over here, at The Corner. Kimbra up for six awards, and five each for Six60 and Homebrew. Kimbra was also announced today as a finalist at the ARIAs (Aust music awards). She's up for best female artist on BOTH sides of the Tasman.

Best hiphop/urban album finalists are Homebrew, Adeaze, and Savage. Best roots album finalists are Hollie Smith (and Mara TK), Tomorrow's People, and the Black Seeds.

Big news here is Toy Love get the Legacy Award. And the Neilson bros fight it out in the best alternative album, along with Ladyhawke. Oh, and Special Problems got all three nominations for best music video, so they are in with a shot.

Flying Nun announced on Twitter that "us and Real Groovy are getting together some releases for November, including a Toy Love 2xLP." Info here. Out Nov 3.

"To celebrate, Flying Nun and Real Groovy Records are proud to announce the upcoming double LP,Toy Love. Pressed on unique split coloured vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, the 28 track compilation features all the band’s singles’ (A & B sides), a selection of demos recorded in 1979, a live track and even a radio jingle.

Plus, following on from their limited edition Toy Love – Live At The Gluepot LP released earlier in the year, Real Groovy Records have put together a Toy Love DVD Collection with 17 clips from 1979 and 1980 – as well as a yet to be released new clip for ‘Swimming Pool’. And, if that wasn’t enough, there will be a few more items of toy lust soon to be announced."

The 2LP set sounds like it might be a vinyl version of the Toy Love - Cuts release, which included their one and only album brilliantly remastered by Dale Cotton, plus rarities galore. 

From The Corner "The award ceremony takes place November 1 at Vector Arena while the Critics Choice showcase will be held on Wednesday October 17 at the Kings Arms and will be between Watercolours, Loui The ZU and Beach Pigs.

Technical Awards Winners (announced this evening)
Best Album Cover to Angela Keoghan for Dearly Departed (Bannerman)
MAINZ Best Engineer to Kody Nielson for Belle (Bic Runga)
MAINZ Best Producer to Neil Baldock for Me & Moon (Lydia Cole)

An aside: The SST let slip yesterday that Bic Runga and partner Kody Nielson are having a baby.

ADDED: Chris Knox reprised his previous appearance with Rackets last weekend, joining them onstage at the Kings Arms, covering Squeeze. Hat tip to Alan Holt for the link.