Music is truly an international language for Christchurch-based singer-songwriter Hera, who is making big musical waves in her home country of Iceland.
Hera has just been judged best female singer in the 2002 Icelandic Music Awards.
The 19-year-old, who moved to Christchurch eight years ago with her family, said winning the award,
announced last week, came as a "complete surprise".
"I was also nominated in the Icelandic Best Hope category, which is for a new artist, so I thought I might have a chance with that, but to win this is amazing - it's easily the biggest thing I could ever win in Iceland."
Previous winners of the award have included Bjork.
Back home in Christchurch for a break, Hera says she listened in to the awards ceremony over the internet.
"That was amazing. They're going to send me a picture of the award - I haven't even seen it yet - and I'll collect it when I go there."
The award follows the success of Hera's album Not Your Type. The album - a compilation of her two previous self-released CDs plus some new songs - has been in the top 20 of the Icelandic music charts since it was released there late last year, and reached No 1 last week.
Hera says she will be heading back to Iceland soon to follow up her success, with possibilities the album will be released in other countries.
Hera is a regular performer in Christchurch.
"I see myself as an Icelandic Kiwi. I've got connections with both parts of the world. I think that maybe comes through in my music."
- NZPA
