It was their third success at the event having won it as The Crayz in 2013 and 2014 — but the first time they had made the national final.
This year the band restructured. Shaela Leach (vocals/guitar) joined Liushaan Ngaira (vocals/guitar), Guy Apouri (keyboard/vocals) and twins Logan (drums/vocals) and Cassidy Hohepa-O’Keefe (bass/vocals).
They will be performing their songs Natural and Mr Politician tomorrow night.
One and a Half Men are Campion College brothers Liam and Ronan Wallace. They are tutored by music teacher Anna-Marie Holmes.
The pair won the recorded music best solo/duo award at the regional event.
The winners of the group and solo/duo categories from each region go into a pool from which judges select national finalists based on video footage of their Pacifica Beats performance.
One and a Half Men were not one of the top two solo/duo acts selected but made to the final from winning the recorded music award.
Ineligible for overall prizeThey are ineligible for the overall prize but can win the best national solo or duo act category.
The brothers are newcomers to the event but have been singing together since Ronan, now 13, was able to talk.
“To make it to the finals the first year we try out is just mindblowing,” he says.
Pacifica Beats entrants must adhere to two of four cultural criteria.
At least 25 percent of lyrics must be in te reo or another Pacific language; a traditional instrument from New Zealand or the Pacific must be used; acts must incorporate traditional movement, dance or actions; and there must be use of lyrics, style or flavour that reflects Maori or Pacific culture.
This was no problem for the Wallace brothers. They have a strong tikanga Maori background, with te reo as their first language.
“We could not stop going on about it when we found out we were in,” said Ronan. “We did not go to bed until two in the morning. We are pumped, nervous and excited.”
They will perform their songs Whakatu Mai Ra and Nothing to Lose.
Ronan says they know the crowd is going to be a lot bigger than the small turnout at the regional event but they are ready.
“We see it as a massive opportunity and we are not going to waste a single breath letting it go to waste.
“Being the youngest in the final is nerve-racking. When I would mess up on stage I used to get in a mood, but I have found a way around that.”
Liam 17, says the final is going to be a night to remember.
“We cannot wait to get there, we are so excited. It will be cool having another Gisborne band there as well. We just want to say good luck to everyone competing, it is going to be amazing.”
The overall winners’ prize package features $3000 worth of music gear, a $10,000 song and video package from NZ On Air and performance spots at 2015 and 2016 Auckland summer festivals.
There is also musical equipment from up for grabs and a Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand scholarship for outstanding musicianship.
There are also cash awards for the best female, lyrics, vocals, youth performance, native reo and song.
The final will be streamed live from 7pm on www.smokefreepacificabeats.co.nz
