Meanwhile, Home Brew, the wry yet socially conscious West Auckland trio led by Tom Scott, and roots rock reggae and drum 'n' bass act Six60, both have five nominations off the back of their respective self-titled debut albums.
Six60 could cement their place as "the people's band" at this year's awards with sales of their album now in excess of 45,000 (not bad in this day and age); they are also up for the People's Choice gong.
The other finalists in the best album category are local supergroup The Adults, made up of Jon Toogood, Shayne Carter, Julia Deans and producer Tiki Taane and featuring guests such as Ladi6 and Anika Moa; and former Mint Chick Kody Nielson's new band Opossom for Electric Hawaii.
Three former golden girls of the awards, Gin Wigmore, Bic Runga and Ladyhawke, were overlooked in the coveted best album category. And though Wigmore got four other nods, including best female artist, best pop album and the People's Choice award, she could feel hard done by. Her sophomore album, Gravel and Wine, was critically acclaimed, debuted at No. 1 and has sold more than 30,000 copies.
Meanwhile, Runga is only up for best pop album for her fourth album Belle (which Kody Nielson also won best producer for in the Technical Awards section), and Ladyhawke, the big winner in 2009 with six Tuis, has just two nominations for her second album Anxiety.
Elsewhere there will be a family showdown in the alternative category with Kody Nielson's Opossom battling it out with his brother Ruban's band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, along with Ladyhawke.
Though none of the best rock album nominees made it into the album of the year list, it will be a hotly contested category with the third album from the now disbanded Checks, Deadly Summer Sway, taking on reformed Wellington rabble rousers Head Like a Hole's Blood Will Out and Clap Clap Riot's long-awaited debut Counting Spins.
In the best music video category it is a clean sweep for Auckland-based visual gurus Special Problems who made the videos for all three finalists: David Dallas - Take a Picture, The Naked and Famous - The Sun, and Zowie - My Calculator.
Also announced yesterday were the three finalists for the Critics' Choice Prize, with MC, producer and songwriter Loui the ZU up against Teacups member Chelsea Jade Metcalf's solo project Watercolours and Auckland band Beach Pigs.
ON THE NIGHT
The New Zealand Music Awards ceremony on November 1 at Vector Arena will once again be presented by comedian Ben Boyce and TV host Shannon Ryan.
On the night, as well as the winners of the various categories being announced, the awards for highest-selling single and album, radio airplay record of the year, and international achievement will be presented.
Kimbra, Gin Wigmore, The Black Seeds, Annah Mac, Six60, and Home Brew will be playing live and there will be a special tribute to Legacy Award recipients Toy Love.
The awards will be screened on Four at 8.30pm on November 1, preceded by a red carpet special hosted by comedian and writer Guy Williams and Four's pop culture chick Sharyn Wakefield.
Tickets cost $25 from Ticketmaster.co.nz.
THE FINALISTS
Album of the Year
Home Brew - Home Brew
Kimbra - Vows
Opossom - Electric Hawaii
Six60 - Six60
The Adults - The Adults
Vodafone Single of the Year
Annah Mac - Girl in Stilettos
Gin Wigmore - Black Sheep
Kimbra - Warrior
Six60 - Don't Forget Your Roots
The Adults - Nothing to Lose
Four Best Group
Home Brew - Home Brew
Opossom - Electric Hawaii
Six60 - Six60
Best Male Solo Artist
Bulletproof - Dub Me Crazy
Seth Haapu - Seth Haapu
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Best Female Solo Artist
Gin Wigmore - Gravel and Wine
Kimbra - Vows
Ladyhawke - Anxiety
Westpac Hotpoints Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Annah Mac - Little Stranger
Home Brew - Home Brew
Kimbra - Vows
Rockshop Best Rock Album
The Checks - Deadly Summer Sway
Clap Clap Riot - Counting Spins
Head Like a Hole - Blood Will Out
The Edge Best Pop Album
Bic Runga - Belle
Gin Wigmore - Gravel and Wine
Kimbra - Vows
Best Alternative Album
Ladyhawke - Anxiety
Opossom - Electric Hawaii
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Best Urban/Hip-Hop Album
Adeaze - Rise and Shine
Home Brew - Home Brew
Savage - Mayhem and Miracles
Best Roots Album
Hollie Smith and Mara TK - Band of Brothers Vol.1
The Black Seeds - Dust and Dirt
Tomorrow People - One
Best Electronica Album
Bulletproof - Dub Me Crazy
Concord Dawn - Air Chrysalis
Six60 - Six60
NZ On Air Best Music Video
Special Problems - Take a Picture (David Dallas)
Special Problems - The Sun (The Naked and Famous)
Special Problems - My Calculator (Zowie)
Best Maori Album
Ria Hall - Ria Hall
Upper Hutt Posse - Declaration of Resistance
Whirimako Black and Richard Nunns - Te More
Best Gospel/Christian Album
Parachute Band - Matins:Vespers
Rapture Ruckus - Open Your Eyes
The Ember Days - Emergency
Kbb Music Best Classical Album
Anthony Ritchie and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - A Bugle Will Do
Christopher Blake - Angel at Ahipara
Eve de Castro-Robinson - Releasing the Angel
Vodafone People's Choice Award
Gin Wigmore
Kimbra
Home Brew
Six60
Stan Walker
New Zealand Herald Legacy Award
Toy Love
* For more on the New Zealand Music Awards, including an in-depth report on Toy Love's Legacy Award, check out tomorrow's edition of TimeOut.
- TimeOut
