Girls rule Rockquest

Regal in Black from Napier girls high school. Smoke free Rock quest, Hawkes Bay final at the Municipal theatre in Napier. 23rd May 2015 Hawke's Bay Today Photography by Paul Taylor

All girl rock band Regal in Black had the 'stand out factor' that helped them take the honours at this year's Hawke's Bay Smokefreerockquest final at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Saturday.

Lead vocalist Saskia Stevenson says the band just got together this year, but they have all played in bands before, with two band members having also competed before in Smokefreerockquest.

"Our sound is influenced by bands like Nirvana and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and our songs are about individuality and being yourself," she said.

"I think just being an all girl rock band made us stand out, plus we have quite a high skill level and we had given each other lots of tips to make our overall sound better."

The other members of the Napier Girls' High School band are guitarist Isabelle Potbury, bass player Zoe Bower, and drummer Jesse Schroder-Smale.

Second placed band was Critical Theory, a five piece band with an alternative sound, from Napier Boys' High School. The members are Joe Cornes, Oliver Cook, Liam Meehan, Sam Purdy, and Ben Cornes.

Mia Söhnge from Taradale High School was placed first in the solo/duo section. She won last year with her brother Jono, who has now left school, and has placed first or second every year since year 9.

Mia says her sound is 'chilled acoustic pop', and her songs are about her experiences, thoughts and the people she loves.

Mia also won her the APRA Lyric Writers's Award on Saturday night.

"I think I stood out because I connected with my songs and with the audience," she says.

"It's my biggest dream to make a career out of music."

Smokefreerockquest Founder and director Glenn Common says there are more entrants than ever before reaching the high standard required from national finalists.

"This means that real dedication is required to achieve the 'stand out quality' that the judges will be looking for," he said.

Notable hall of famers from the Rockquests 26 year history include; Kimbra, Opshop, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Minuit, Kids of 88, the Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Kora, Midnight Youth, Stereogram , The Black Seeds, Grayson Gilmore, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga and The Naked and Famous.

The full list of awards made on Saturday night was:
Band 1st place: Regal in Black, Napier Girls' High School
Band 2nd place: Critical Theory, Napier Boys' High School
Solo/Duo 1st place: Mia Söhnge, Taradale High School
Solo/Duo 2nd place: Teia Drysdale, Napier Girls' High School
Band 3rd place: SynC, Flaxmere College
APRA Lyric Award: Mia Söhnge, Taradale High School
Lowdown Best Song: SynC, Flaxmere College
Smokefree Award For Women's Musicianship: Jesse Schroder-Smale, the drummer from Regal in Black
MAINZ musicianship award with the opportunity to win a $4000 MAINZ scholarship: Ben Cornes, the bass player from Critical Theory, Napier Boys' High School
People's Choice voted by text: Madimac, Napier Girls' High School