Two bands from Ōtūmoetai College were among the final 10 to perform in the Smokefree Rockquest finals, promising a bright future for Tauranga music.

“It is a big deal,” said Ōtūmoetai College music teacher Matt Bodman.

“That’s 10 bands out of 900 from across the country.”

While the bands did not place, simply being at the September 21 finals in Auckland was a fantastic accomplishment, Bodman said.

“The big message I tried to put to them was that you’ve already won by being in the top 10.”

The college produced various sounds with one band: Bebe and Aisha, an acoustic singer-songwriter duo, and Bloody Overalls, a psychedelic, punk, metal band.

Bands were required to write their songs and melodies, but more than just a banger of a song was needed to make the final of the Smokefree Rockquest, Bodman said.

“It’s a package thing.”

Alisha and Bebe perform at the Smokefree Rockquest finals. Photo / Supplied

“You could write a brilliant song, but if your stagecraft is lacking and your ability to connect to the audience is lacking, you might not go through to the next phase.”

The two groups were given mentoring time from the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) commissioned DJs from mainstream radio stations.

“They were filming. There was photography. They were given a day in a recording studio,” Bodman said.

Aisha and Bebe are now in a recording studio with Dave Baxter, also known as Avalanche City, who is about to begin a tour with Luke Thompson.

Thompson is a New Zealand singer and songwriting veteran who toured with artists such as Toto, Passenger, and the Paper Kites.

At the finals in Auckland, Aisha and Bebe, along with Bloody Overalls, were supported by friends, families and enthusiastic music teachers.

“The support here seems to be huge.”

“I love that we’ve got your back. If this is what you want to do, man, we’re here to help you.”

Tauranga is lucky to have spaces such as the Jam Factory, where Kurt Sommerville from Papamoa College set up gigs for the kids to practice performing.

“It is a good place for them to cut their teeth,” Bodman said.

– SunLive