The Finalists for the 2015 APRA Silver Scroll Award Have Been Announced

The country’s 10,000 odd APRA members have spoken and the top five contenders in the running for this year’s Silver Scroll Award have been revealed.

Presented by royalty collection agency APRA, the award is New Zealand's most prestigious songwriting award, recognising creative excellence in the craft of songwriting, regardless of sales figures and chart success. Since its inception in 1965, the Scroll has passed through the hands of the country’s songwriting elite: Ray Columbus, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Don McGlashan, Neil Finn, Chris Knox and many more.

Whittled down from a list of 20, the top five songs in line for the 2015 APRA Silver Scroll Award are:

‘Multi Love’, written by Ruban and Kody Nielson, performed by Portland-based psych-pop band Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

‘Dark Child’, written by Marlon Williams and Tim Moore, performed by Lytlellton country crooner Marlon Williams.

‘Yellow Flicker Beat’, written by Ella Yelich O’Connor and Joel Little, performed by Lorde.

‘Water Underground’, written and performed by Anthonie Tonnon.

‘Get Out Alive’, written and performed by Mel Parsons.

Lorde is no stranger to the podium, having taken out the award for ‘Royals’ in 2013 alongside co-writer Joel Little. It will be Ruban Nielson's fifth time as a finalist, having previously been nominated three times for his intelligent songwriting ability.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at Vector Arena on September 17.

Awards also given out on the night include the APRA Maioha Award for contemporary Maori Music, the SOUNZ Contemporary Award for contemporary classical music, Best Original Music in a Feature Film, Best Original Music in a Series, and awards for the most performed works internationally and within New Zealand.

As a part of the Silver Scroll Awards' 50th anniversary celebrations, iconic New Zealand songwriter Bill Sevisi will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame and the “lost scroll” of 1981 will be presented. Finalists chosen for the overlooked prize include were chosen by an anonymous panel. They are: The Swingers for 'Counting The Beat’, Blam Blam Blam for ‘No Depression In New Zealand’, Split Enz for ‘One Step Ahead’, The Screaming Meemees for ‘See Me Go’ and The Clean for ‘Tally Ho’.