Recorded Music NZ and Massey University will celebrate the behind-the-sound heroes of Aotearoa’s music industry at the re-branded 2020 AMA Artisan Awards in November.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding a live audience event, the 2020 Artisan Awards will be pre-recorded at Massey University’s School of Music and Creative Media Production in Wellington, where finalists across five categories will be recognised and celebrated for their contributions to the Kiwi music scene. 

The 2020 Artisan Award finalists are:

Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa | Massey University Best Producer:

• Brad Kora for his work with L.A.B on ‘L.A.B III’
• Josh Fountain for his work with artists Benee, Maala and Paige
• Chaii & Frank Keys for their collaboration on Chaii’s EP ‘Lightswitch’

Te Kaipukaha Toa | Best Engineer:

• Lee Prebble for his work on Ria Hall’s Manawa Wera, 
• Lee Prebble plus Ara Adams-Tamatea for L.A.B’s third album.
• Simon Gooding for Reb Fountain’s self-titled album.

Te Puoro Ataata Toa | NZ On Air Best Music Video:

• Anahera Parata for SWIDT’s  Bunga,
• Connor Pritchard for Troy Kingi’s All Your Ships Have Sailed
• Callum Devlin & Annabel Kean for The Beths’ I’m Not Getting Excited

Te Toi Ataata Pukaemi Toa | Best Album Artwork:

• Karin Canzek for Reb Fountain’s self-titled album
• Lily Paris West for Mermaiden’s ‘Look Me In The Eye’
• Mike Braid for ‘The Brightest Flame’ by Jeremy Redmore

Alongside the four Tui being awarded on the night, the Music Managers Forum (MMF) NZ will be presenting the Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year, finalists for which are:

• Dan Woolston, for his work with Montell2099, Melodownz, Sachi, SmokeyGotBeatz & Trey Bond
• Nicole Thomas & Paula Yeoman for their work with Theia, Chores, Paige, Abby Wolfe, & Neko
• Paul McKessar for his work with Benee.

Andre Ktori, Head of School, School of Music and Creative Media Production at Massey University says: “We are pleased to support the Aotearoa Music Awards and showcasing the phenomenal mahi of the unsung heroes, the Artisans.”

The 2020 Artisan Awards are being pre-recorded at Massey University’s recording studios in Wellington and will be broadcast on Three at 11pm on November 13.