Stan Walker is a double-finalist at this year’s Silver Scrolls.
His song I Am — featured in the Ava DuVernay film Origin — is up for the top songwriting prize, while his song Māori Ki Te Ao is a top three contender for the APRA Maioha Award.
Walker is one of five APRA Silver Scroll Award finalists announced today, selected from a shortlist of 20 songs, announced back in July.
Finalists include Georgia Lines for The Letter, Anna Coddington for Kātuahere, Skilaa for Jenny Greenteeth, and Mermaidens for I Like To Be Alone.
Walker is also a top three contender for the APRA Maioha Award, which recognises contemporary Māori music and songwriters telling Te Ao Māori stories.
His song Māori Ki Te Ao is a celebration of his Tūhoe identity.
The other finalists for this award are TAWAZ for He Aho and Jordyn with a Why for He Rei Niho.
The APRA Silver Scroll winners, determined by the votes of New Zealand APRA members — who are also songwriters, producers and performers — will be announced at an awards ceremony at St James Theatre in Wellington on 8 October.
2024 APRA Silver Scroll Award Kaitito Top Five:
- I Am written by Stan Walker*, Vince Harder, Donny Te Kanapu Anasta, and Michael Fatkin**, performed by Stan Walker (*Sony Music Publishing, **Universal Music Publishing)
- I Like To Be Alone written by Augusta Daisy Chalmers Larkin, Lily Paris West, and Abraham Hollingsworth, performed by Mermaidens
- Jenny Greenteeth written by Chelsea Prastiti, Michael Howell, Tom Dennison, and Adam Tobeck, performed by Skilaa
- Kātuarehe written by Anna Coddington, Noema Te Hau, Ruth Smith, Kawiti Waetford, performed by Anna Coddington
- The Letter written by Georgia Lines, Whakaio Taahi*, and Patrick Manning, performed by Georgia Lines (*Concord Music Publishing).
APRA Maioha Award Tohu Maioha Top Three:
- He Aho written by Tawaroa Kawana performed by TAWAZ
- He Rei Niho written by Jordyn Rapana, Ruth Smith, Dan Martin, and Kawiti Waetford, performed by Jordyn with a Why
- Māori Ki Te Ao written by Stan Walker*, Donny Te Kanapu Anasta, Matthew Sadgrove, Rio Panapa, Hugh Lake, and Fasika Ayallew, performed by Stan Walker (*Sony Music Publishing).
By Jogai Bhatt of rnz.co.nz
