Three Up For MMF Manager Of Year

Three major names are up for the Music Managers Forum New Zealand’s Music Managers Awards May 11 at The Tuning Fork club.

Scott Maclachlan is best known for discovering Lorde and building her up to Grammy-winning status until their split last year. He was nominated for his work with platinum-selling opera trio Sol3 Mio, mysterious “supergroup” Leisure, classically trained pianist and singer Thomston and U.S. singer-songwriter Parson James through his Saiko Management.

UK-born Ashley Page’s clients include Lorde’s producer and collaborator Joel Little, siblings Broods who are signed to Capitol in the U.S., and Australian singer Jarryd James and songwriter Alex Hope. Page’s father Larry managed The Kinks and The Troggs in the 1960s. Alastair Burns is behind the rise of NZ-born Melbourne-based alt-country act Marlon Williams who kicks off a 20-date North American tour May 17 to June 11 after he wraps a 15-date European run April 21, and Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin who drew rave reviews at this year’s South By Southwest and embarks on her first UK shows in May.

Burns is also up for breakthrough manager, alongside singer-songwriter Mel Parsons who is also one of three in the self-managed artist category as well as a contender for best independent tour for two runs last year behind the release of her Drylands album. Nominated for best small venue are The San Fran in Wellington, The Tuning Fork, and The Wine Cellar in Auckland. The winner of best large venue will be decided from Auckland’s The Powerstation and The Studio and the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.