The finalists for the Taite Music Prize have been announced, and they're some of RNZ Music's favourite artists. The prize recognises outstanding creativity in an album or EP. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at Auckland's Civic Theatre on Tuesday, April 17.

Photo: Image: Supplied/RNZ

The Taite Music Prize recognises outstanding creativity in an album or EP. It's named for respected music journalist, the late Dylan Taite. The winning artist will receive a cash prize of $10,000 and recording time at Red Bull Studios in Auckland.

Skip to: More about this year's finalists.

The eight albums in contention for the 2018 Taite Music Prize are:

Nadia Reid - Preservation

Aldous Harding - Party

Grayson Gilmour - Otherness

Fazerdaze - Morningside

TEEKS -The Grapefruit Skies EP

Kane Strang - Two Hearts and No Brain

Mermaidens - Perfect Body

The Bads - Losing Heroes

The eight finalists were selected from a long-list of 92 nominations, which were submitted by independent and major record labels. The shortlist was decided by a group of Independent Music NZ members (the industry body that administers the prize), as well as 10 outside judges, including musicians, music journalists and music industry personnel.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at Auckland's Civic Theatre on Tuesday, April 17.

RNZ Music will be streaming the event live on April 17 from 7pm.

Alongside the main prize, two additional awards will be presented: the Classic Record Award and the Best Independent Debut Award, which celebrates new talent. Finalists include:

Kendall Elise - I Didn’t Stand A Chance

L.A.B. - L.A.B.

Strangely Arousing - Strangely Arousing

Daniel McClelland - Anxious Heart

The Miltones - The Miltones

Aldous Harding

Aldous Harding performs 'Party' live at RNZ:

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Fazerdaze

Fazerdaze performs live from her home studio/bedroom in Grey Lynn:

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Grayson Gilmour

We visit Grayson Gilmour at his studio in Wellington:

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Kane Strang

Kane Strang – ‘Two Hearts and No Brain’ live at the Roseneath Long Hall:

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Mermaidens

'Tastes Like It Sounds' - Mermaidens describe what their music would be like if it were food:

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Nadia Reid

NZ Live | Nadia Reid - 'Preservation':

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TEEKS

Teeks performs 'Wash Over Me' live:

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The Bads