The finalists are: 5432 written and performed by Mel Parsons; Blue Dreams written and performed by Holly Arrowsmith; Borrow My Boots written and performed by Tami Neilson, Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild, featuring Grace Bowers.
Parsons won the MLT Songwriting Award last year with Hardest Thing.
She returned to Gore with her nominated song, an expression of love and quiet hope above gnawing self-doubt.
Having toured with Crowded House last year, her latest album Sabotage saw her a finalist for the Taite Music Prize and Aotearoa Music Award finalist for Album of the Year and Best Folk Artist.
Last year’s Apra Best Country Song Award winner for Desert Dove, Arrowsmith returns as a finalist with the title track from the album Blue Dreams.
She is a leader in New Zealand’s contemporary folk, alt-country and Americana movement, a finalist for the Taite Music Prize and for the upcoming Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Folk Artist.
Blue Dreams delves into life as a first-time parent.
Neilson is no stranger to awards, having won this award five times since 2014, alongside multiple Aotearoa Music Awards, an Apra Silver Scroll and chart-topping success.
Fresh off the back of a tour with Willie Nelson, her next studio album Neon Cowgirl will be released on July 11, followed by US tour supports for Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.
Borrow My Boots was co-written long-distance with US country stars Ashley McBryce and Shelly Fairchild after Neilson’s experiences of being lifted up and encouraged by her musical peers in the US.
Apra head of New Zealand operations Anthony Healey said the songs spoke with honesty, power and heart.
— APL
