Local music scene in good hands
Kaegan Palmer of Pocket Watchers in action at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Photo: Doug Menzies
Young Taupō musicians are celebrating after winning both the band and solo categories at the Rotorua Regional Smokefreerockquest final.
By Dan Hutchinson
Young Taupō musicians are celebrating after winning both the band and solo categories at the Rotorua Regional Smokefreerockquest final.
Pocket Watchers from Taupō-nui-a-Tia-College took out first place in the Band section at this year’s Rotorua regional Smokefreerockquest final at Sir Howard Morrison Centre on Friday night.
Tauhara College student Mikayla Edwards took out first place in the solo-duo category.
Mikayla says her song ‘Seventeen’ was about a boy who she had a mutual attraction to at the age of 14, but they were not allowed to date until she was 17.
The 16-year-old is still waiting, but she made a song in the meantime, and it was that heartfelt number that won her the title.
Her music teacher Michaela Pointon was the last Tauhara student to win the coveted solo title, 10 years ago and the pair were over the Moon on Monday morning, when Taupō & Tūrangi News caught up with them.
“I actually started writing the song when I was about 14, and then I only really finished it last year. So, it was quite a work in progress, but I eventually finished it.”
As well as vocals and song writing, she also plays guitar, a little bit of piano and the ukulele, although she’s not sure that counts.
She said it was the biggest live performance of her young career, with about 200 people in the audience.
Mikayla Edwards.
“I sing most Sundays at church, and I've done a couple, like gigs every so often, but that was my first time doing solo Rockquest.”
She hopes to make a career out of music and hasn’t really considered anything else.
Pocket Watchers saxophonist and vocalist Leroy Walker said it was a great event.
“Everyone was so cool and amazing. We thought everyone today deserved a great chance at it, I wish them all the best of luck in their futures. It’s just a great event.”
All four Smokefreerockquest place winners now have the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 15 national finalists to play off at the national finals in September.