Sign In / Register
Bream Bay College band Fork has won the band category at the Smokefree Rockquest National Final.
The Waipū-based group is made up of sisters Kacie Cookson (guitar and vocals) Phoebe Cookson (drums) and close friend Nerissa Barton (bass). They took out the title at Massey University’s Great Hall in Wellington on September 18, winning $10,000 in Rockshop gear and an NZ On Air package that covers the cost of creating a professionally recorded and released song and accompanying music video.
The self-proclaimed Fem Power Punk trio was one of eight bands competing for the prestigious title.
“We can hardly believe we made it to the national finals, let alone coming first,” Phoebe says.
“It has been one of our goals since we started the band to make it to the National Finals, so it felt completely unreal when it was announced that we had won. Every band that played that night was incredible, and we were genuinely shocked they chose us.
“The win means we can finally work on recording and getting our music out there. Music is our passion and we are so extremely grateful to be able to pursue it, and to have the backing and support from the Rockquest team.”
Event judge Reagan White says she was impressed with how each member’s individual performance contributed to the dynamic of the band.
“Fork really isn’t trying to sound like someone else. Not one of them was carrying it individually – they were all contributing equally,” she said.
Artist, musician and judge Sofia Machray agreed.
“I really felt like Fork was channelling something. It was so authentic. I kept focusing on each different band member, and they were all so strong. Each of them stood out in their own way.”
Phoebe says their father, who died from motor neurone disease three years ago, inspired the sisters’ love of loud rock and grunge. She says that shared love has compelled them to go “fully hard” with their music.
“Our dad has been a huge inspiration for Kacie and I. He passed away from motor neurone disease three years ago, our shared love of loud rock and grunge has compelled us to fully go hard with our music, something he would have loved.”
Fork’s win comes 10 years after fellow Waipū band Alien Weaponry won Rockquest in 2016. Fork is mentored by Niel de Jong, a music producer and sound engineer who is the father of two of Alien Weaponry’s founding members.
Fork formed three years ago and has played shows around Northland and Auckland. Along with their own shows, they have opened for bands including New Zealand’s Push Push and Brazil’s TEST.
Next, they will open for Seattle rock band Mudhoney at Double Whammy in Auckland next month – a dream come true for the trio.
“Mudhoney are one of our big influences, so it’s crazy to be sharing a stage with such an iconic band; my mind is blown,” Kacie says.
