Smokefree Rockquest: Attic Sky say bye on a high

It may have been the last time Attic Sky can take part in a high school rock contest but the group have bowed out on a high note.

Attic Sky were announced in third place in the final of the Smokefree Rockquest 2011 at Claudelands Showgrounds in Hamilton at the weekend.

Speaking to The Daily Post, band bass player and vocalist Riley Brightwell said they were tired but ecstatic with their success this year.

The band has entered the contest three times and this was their second time reaching the final - this time walking away with $3000 worth of Rock Shop vouchers for taking third place.

"It's just awesome," he said.

"We are pretty tired ... we are going to spend up large at the Rock Shop and then spend some time relaxing for a day or so."

Sadly, this is the final year the band was able to enter the competition but they are hoping to stay together for the foreseeable future, Riley said.

"We're all school leavers this year. The plan is to stay together at this stage. Everything is just a bit shady at the moment," he said.

As for taking to the stage at Rockquest:

"It was such an amazing stage ... there were a few nerves but then the adrenalin kicked in and it was all good," he said.

They were vying against five other bands, A Bit Nigel from Taupo, Auckland's Get off The Grass and Massad, Wellington's The Velvet Regime and Nelson's The Peasants.

Last year's second place-getters, The Peasants were announced winners this year with judges saying the band had developed their performance and wowed them with their tight and mature sound.

Lead singer Georgia Knott was singled out for praise by New Zealand On Air repertoire executive Tania Dean who said her voice was different from any other New Zealand singer.

"It is powerful, emotional and dynamic - she actually left me speechless," she said.

The Peasants won a NZ On Air recording and music grant worth $10,000 a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit disc, $10,000 Rock Shop voucher along with recording time and radio promotional support.

Second place went to singer/songwriter Massad from Auckland's Sacred Heart College.