Overview
The best New Zealand song of the past year has been named. At an awards ceremony held at Vector Arena, the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award was presented to multi-talented songwriting brothers Ruban and Kody Nielson for the track ‘Multi-Love’.
The song performed by Portland-based band Unknown Mortal Orchestra is a masterclass in psychedelic-pop, exploring the lifestyle of a polyamorous relationship. The pair took home the award ahead of other finalists Marlon Williams, Anthonie Tonnon, Lorde and Mel Parsons.
Presented by royalty collection agency APRA, the Silver Scroll is New Zealand’s most prestigious songwriting award, recognising creative excellence in the craft of songwriting, regardless of sales figures and chart success. Since 1965 it has given two thumbs up (and a bag full of cash) to songwriters including Ray Columbus, Neil Finn, Don McGlashan, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Chris Knox, Brooke Fraser and The Naked and Famous.
Other awards presented include the “lost scroll” of 1981, which went to The Swingers for the classic Kiwi pub tune ‘Counting the Beat’, the Maioha Award for contemporary Maori music, won by Stan Walker, Vince Harder and Troy Kingi, and the SOUNZ Contemporary Award for contemporary classical music which went to composer Chris Watson. Renowned steel guitarist and iconic local songwriter Bill Sevisi was also inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
See the full list of winners below.
- 2015 APRA Silver Scroll Award – won by Ruban Nielson and Kody Nielson for ‘Multi-Love’
- 1981 APRA Silver Scroll Award – won by Phil Judd, Wayne Stevens and Mark Hough for ‘Counting the Beat’
- APRA Maioha Award – won by Stan Walker, Vince Harder and Troy Kingi for ‘Aotearoa’
- SOUNZ Contemporary Award - won by Chris Watson for ‘sing songs self’
- APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film – won by Grayson Gilmour for Consent
- APRA Best Original Music in a Series – won by Tom McLeod for Girl vs. Boy (Season 3)
- Most Performed New Zealand Work Internationally – won by Ella Yelich-O’Connor and Joel Little for ‘Royals’
- Most Performed New Zealand Work in New Zealand – won by Marlon Gerbes, Matiu Walters and Priese Board for ‘Special’
- New Zealand Music Hall of Fame inductee – Bill Sevesi