Pop star Kimbra has taken home the Critics' Choice Prize for 2011. Photo / Supplied
Pop star Kimbra has taken home the Critics' Choice Prize for 2011. Photo / Supplied
Rising Kiwi pop star Kimbra better clear off some space on her mantlepiece - she's just won her first award.
The 21-year-old Hamilton-born, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter took home the Critics' Choice Prize - an award given to up-and-coming acts that judges believe are destined for greatness.
She beat three-piece Flying Nunrockers Popstrangers and Christchurch-based alt-country act The Unfaithful Ways after a live show at the Kings Arms in Auckland last night.
Each of the bands played 20-minute sets, with 13 judges in the crowd choosing a winner on the night. Kimbra's set was rapturously received, with fans filming and taking photos from the front row.
Receiving the award was an amazing achievement, Kimbra said in a statement.
"It's wonderful to be acknowledged here in my homeland by critics and music industry insiders. I've put a lot of hard work into my music and winning the Critics' Choice Prize means the world to me."
Her prizes include a $10,000 recording and music video grant, a $2000 gift voucher courtesy of The NZ Rockshop and mentoring from industry experts.
Kimbra recently released her major label debut Vows to rave reviews, thanks to intelligent and super-catchy singles like Settle Down and Cameo.
Reviewer Lydia Jenkin said Kimbra was an engaging live presence and this had come across on Vows.
"She's a striking 21-year-old but she's also a delight to watch, full of theatrics, drama, and spiky, angular dance moves, and this translates to the album."
"It sounds cheesy but I do think music has called me to it and I feel like I have a responsibility to go forth and pursue it ... do something with it," she said.
The Critics' Choice Prize is a prelude to the New Zealand Music Awards on November 3. Last year's award was won by Auckland grunge-rockers Street Chant.
Check out nzherald.co.nz's live stream of the Critics Choice Awards below:
