Five teen musos are on cloud nine after making it through to the next round of Smokefree-rockquest.
Wakatipu High School trio Haven, consisting of Ryan Connaghan, Harrison Maguire and Jack Wilson, have made it through to the top-20 bands, while solo singers Greta Balfour and Tyrone Henderson have cracked the top-10 solo/duo category.
It’s back-to-back finals for Haven, who also made the top-20 last year.
Year 12 bassist and singer Ryan says the band’s success is “humbling”.
“We were over the moon,” he says of the moment they found out.
“It’s a big reputation thing, definitely. It gives you a lot more traction gig-wise, and media-wise.”
The alt-rock/indie band has had its current line-up for three years, he says.
“It’s a bit of a mix-up of sounds.”
The performers will be narrowed down again tomorrow afternoon, when the top nine overall are announced.
That will consist of three solo musicians or duos and six bands.
The national final will be held on September 14.
– DAISY HUDSON