Ben Mollison, 16, will be performing at the 2015 Smokefree Rockquest national finals along with Mount Maunganui College band Joe's Van. Photo / George Novak
A young musician whose music is inspired by the stories he hears and the people he meets is following in the footsteps of the country's best, heading to the national finals for the 2015 Smokefree Rockquest.
Ben Mollison submitted an entry for the national competition for the first time this year and on Friday was named as one of nine national finalists. The talented 16-year-old from Bethlehem College will be joined by Mount Maunganui College band Joe's Van, who have made the national finals for a second time.
The two Bay acts will take on the other seven finalists - two soloists and five bands chosen from 700 entries - at the nationals in September.
Ben said it was unbelievable to be chosen. "I'm very, very stoked ... I couldn't believe it."
He entered a mix of songs that he had written over the past two years, inspired by people and situations around him, and performed them on guitar and harmonica.
"I often write about things that inspire me. Stories on the news, art, music I like. I wrote about a homeless guy once because I just met him on the street and just felt I needed to write about it."
Another time a poster of music legend John Lennon sparked a fresh song in his mind.
He described his music as folk but said he appreciated all types of music, including playing in the school's jazz band.
Joe's Van is three best friends making a name for themselves doing what they love.
Lead singer and bass player Jake Nichols said it was their nine years of playing together that set them apart from other bands. "We've been best friends for so long and it's always just been there.
"That has shaped our sound. It's that brotherliness. We feed off each other on stage as well."
Their style was a mix of a lot of genres, put together to create their own sound Jake called "alternative surf".
It was hugely exciting to be named in the top six bands in their last year of school, he said.
"We've gone in other years just to have fun ... But this year if we place or win it could mean the possibility of a career in the future. We don't have that 'we can try again next year' thought any more".
Smokefree Rockquest
National final: Raye Freedman Centre at Epsom Girls' Grammar, Friday, September 11, 7pm.
Prize packages for bands and the solo/duo winners include $22,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $20,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package, a "Decent Exposure" campaign on FOUR, a photo shoot with Thievery Studio, a branding package from Imaginary Friends and the Unleashed Travel ambassador award - a seven-day trip to Fiji.