Hollie Smith
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Hollie Smith may not be a name Australian music fans know well, but the award-winning, genre-defying soul songstress hopes to change that, and quickly, announcing a seven-stop debut tour schedule that's bound to be a breath of fresh air in the local live music-go-round.
Smith has already toured Europe and North America following the initial release of her first full-length collection, Long Player. The album has gone on to multi-platinum success in her home country and was made available to Australian fans in April of this year. On tour, the accomplished performer has received enormously positive reviews, winning over tough audiences with her intimate sets of delicious soul hooks and inspiring lyricism.
The tour opens in Cronulla on September 10 before moving onto Manly (11th), Katoomba (12th), Newtown (14th), Brisbane (18th), Coolum (19th), and finally onto Melbourne on the 21st. Smith is accompanied by her three-piece band comprising Tyson Smith, Crete Haami and Darren Mathiassen - each of whom have developed fantastic reputations on the road and in the studio.
An engagingly intense musician, Smith first drew plaudits for her work within Wellington's eclectic roots-based collaborative scene - a scene that literally swallowed New Zealand whole at its creative zenith. With her cache of cameos growing and her eerie collections of one-off performances promising big things, she was swiftly thrust into mainstream recognition on the massive hit Bathe in the River, written by Don McGlashan.
Her voice - deeply penetrating and achingly powerful - has that unique ability to draw in the surrounding air and replace it with something much more sensual, and those exquisite pipes have been compared to some of the best-loved vocal chords in music history. Smith opened for none other than Bob Dylan on his recent New Zealand tour and now Australians have the opportunity to see her live.
The ever-humble Smith is eager to get the show on the road.
"Playing at the Byron Bay Blues Festival in March was awesome and the actual tour has been such a long time coming. Both the band and I have been hugely keen to hop over the Tasman and give our neighbours a taste of what we have to offer!" she says.
"We have had a wonderful response to our shows at home and throughout Europe and the US, and with the album now available in Australia, well, being able to perform those songs and others live is always a massive privilege and we'll be sure to bring our A game."
Details for Hollie Smith's first-ever Australian tour can be found at www.holliesmith.co.nz, with tickets available through OZTIX, MOSHTIX and from selected tour venues.
Be sure to get in early and reserve your seat for a show that will definitely knock you off your feet.
