Nelson band Little Oceans has received another boost with a NZ On Air recording and video grant worth $10,000.

The group won it for their song Illuminated.

Last December they won a Wildcard grant, also worth $10,000, for their song Focus Harder. The two songs will now be promoted on a playlist to radio stations throughout the country.

The Wildcard grant was based on popular vote, but the latest has come from a selection panel of people in the New Zealand music industry.

Guitarist Josh Edmonds said it was exciting to think the band was gaining recognition from both the general public and those within the industry.

"There is a strict selection process for being eligible for grants; we have to show we have the fan base, the dedication to our music, the song appeal, the commercial potential, and so on before we even get considered."

With $20,000 now to spend on recording and videoing the songs, the band is looking forward to spending time in the prestigious York Street Studios in Auckland next week.

The band was also in Auckland last month, recording and filming six new tracks by invitation at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios. With those tracks soon to be released on YouTube, Edmonds said the band was gathering "real momentum".

Little Oceans was one of 14 acts out of 215 hopefuls to receive an NZ On Air grant this month.

The three band members - Edmonds, his brother Sam, and vocalist Matt Johnston - grew up together in Moenui, in the Marlborough Sounds, and formed the band Recommended By Your Mom while students at Picton's Queen Charlotte College. Their first album, Now We Are, was released worldwide in 2011 by Doit Records.

Little Oceans will open for Make Believe in a concert in Auckland next week, and perform at the Mussel Festival in Havelock on March 16.

- © Fairfax NZ News