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Thirst 2005 is going to be an exciting competition with some of New Zealand's best known DJ / producers signing up as well as some fresh emerging local talent.

Competition organiser & judge Gareth Farry of Sugarlicks Records says the calibre of the entrants’ tracks has improved with increased production values and more concentration on songwriting and arrangement. “There has been a shift towards the various sounds of break-beat both up and down tempo with a number of musicians looking at incorporating more of a live element into their 15 minute performances.”

He was pleased to see that a number of established names had entered including Damon Schwalger, who is better known as The Nomad and already has five studio albums to his name, Ryan Beehre, one half of the production duo behind Minuit, Simon Beeston who has performed in international clubs including the Berlin techno club Tresor and Isaac Aesili who is a multi-talented musician and producer.

Heineken Brand Manager Liz Parker says the high calibre of competitors is a mark of the increasing maturity and credibility of the Thirst competition. “It’s fantastic that we have such a great line-up of competitors. From a competition point of view it should increase New Zealand’s chances in the international Thirst competition and for people who come along to the watch the regional finals it will make for a great night out,” she says.

The successful regional finalists will now progress to the second stage of judging which will see them perform a 15 minute set, where they will play their original track, which has been pressed to dubplate.

The regional finals will be a must see for clubbers keen to find out who is NZ’s freshest DJ / producer talent. The Thirst Auckland regional final kicks off first at 4:20 on April 8th followed by the Wellington event on April 9th at Sandwiches. Thirst Christchurch will be at Mansion on April 15th and the Queenstown finals are on April 16th at Subculture.

This year’s judging criteria sees the track being judged on originality, arrangement and potential to reach a global audience, while the set is judged on mixing skills, flair and personality as well as the ability to interact with the crowd. The judges are also looking for that little bit extra – and that’s open to interpretation. Lyrics, instruments and live elements are some sure fire ways to impress.

THIRST 2005 NZ REGIONAL FINALISTS:

Auckland
(person’s name – track name)

Brett Solomon – Solly’s Groove
Isaac Aesili – Soulution
Jamie Newman – Soul Hustler
Lara van Osenbruggen – Mango Manuva
Paul Ebling – Synchronise
Scott Leto – U Wanna
Simon Beeston – Dirt Buster

Wellington
(person’s name – track name)

Damo Crook – Psychus Revoluta
Damon Schwalger – Walk with Me
Michael Kircher – Outside In
Pete Busby – India
Olly Brunton – Karakia Tawhito
Anwar Goulouh – Freaky

Christchurch
(person’s name – track name)

Ryan Beehre – Need U
Damien Bimier – Dangerzone
Julian van Uden – Hit Squad
Gareth Fletcher – An Ideal Day
Tristan Roake – That’s Right
Eneti Waretini – Tight (Like Dreadlocks)
Hideto Kobayashi – Little Emma

Queenstown
(person’s name – track name)

Simon Holden – Breaking on Eastern Shores
Clint Hepi – Rip it Up
Nick de Friez – Earth Attacks (head nod mix)
Bevan Blackie – Exodus
Tom Jensen – Oligopoly

REGIONAL FINALS SHOW INFORMATION:

(Dates and artists performing in addition to the finalists)

Auckland, Friday 8th April
4:20 – Javed Haider (2003 Thirst Winner), Manuel Bundy & Rob Salmon

Wellington, Saturday 9th April
Sandwiches – Matt Harris (2004 Thirst Winner), & Jason Harding

Christchurch, Friday 15th April
Mansion – Partido (Kurt Dyer), Spooky (Luke Thompson) & G-Muva

Queenstown, Saturday 16th April
Subculture – Downtown Brown, B-Rokk, Turbo hag, d-jade