Hollie Smith is one of New Zealand ‘s most predominant and celebrated musicians. After working with numerous bands including Trinity Roots, Fat Freddys Drop and Detroit dance legend Recloose, she was approached by NZ royalty Don Mcglashan to perform on a movie soundtrack single Bathe in The River that topped the NZ charts and became one of the biggest and iconic singles in NZ history.
Hollie heads to Australia this November to perform as part of the Australasian World Music Expo in Melbourne as well as an intimate show in Sydney.
You’ve had quite a lot of success in New Zealand through your three studio albums and work with other musicians. However your last album was released in 2011. What have you been up to since?
I started working on a project with two other very amazing renown new zealand females, Anika Moa & Boh Runga to do a writing and touring collaboration. Naming ourselves ‘AnikaBoh&Hollie’.. very creative.
We wrote together over a few months & road tested the material on the very well known ‘Church Tour’ – A huge & amazing national tour of 20 or so historical churches ( go figure ) around the country. It has always had prestigious NZ names such as ‘Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Greg Johnson’ – We then went into the studio to record the tracks, releasing an album in Feb called ‘peace of mind’ following that we went on the road on one of the biggest NZ tours ‘The Winery Tour’. guess where we played?. I liked the wine bit.
Also did a quick trip to the UK to do some writing with a few different people.
If you have been working on new music, what can you tell us about it?
Trying to! Its coming slowly – working on another full ‘Hollie Smith’ record so back in the front seat, trying to remember how to drive.
Had been coming up with a few ideas so now Im just working on piecing them together and settle on, I guess what you could call a ‘theme’ for the album – musically speaking.
Talking to a couple of producers & then hopefully will be underway.
And when can we expect its release?
Well I am behind schedule currently – was aiming for March but I need to write more so optimistically mid year… realistically 2016.
We last saw you in late 2012 when you starred in an online video campaign supporting gay marriage, which has since been successful. What was it like to finally see the law changed in New Zealand?
A good day for Love. Ive been lucky to of been brought up to respect everyones right for happiness, fairness and freedom of choice. It made me happy to know that our legal system made a small part of this possible for many.
You’ve worked with Trinity Roots, Fat Freddys Drop and Recloose in the past. How has collaborating with these musicians impacted on you as a musician and your latest work?
I think every single musician I have met or played with or seen has some way influenced my mind and the way I think so therefore makes a difference to the way I write.
You’re playing in Melbourne on the 15th of November as part of AWME. What can we expect from your live set?
HA – not sure, havent done it before. This is a new line of musicians and we are gonna try some new material too. I am super excited to play at AWME & really looking forward to a new environment & sound & songs. think its gonna be pretty neat.
What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
I stole almost all of them when CD’s came along – got all sorts from The Doors to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Fresh Cream, Stevie Wonder, Humble Pie, Weather Report, Minnie Ripperton… it was a good score.
What New Zealand artist would you most like to collaborate with and why?
Good Question.. Im really not sure- new artist called Louis Baker that is amazing, such an amazing talent.
What’s on the cards for the rest of the year and early 2014?
Writing, Writing Writing.. Album Album Album… repeat if ness.
What releases do you have available and where can we get them? [Feel free to include links, dates, album titles etc.]
All of my albums should be available on iTunes, you can follow most things of mine for upcoming releases or gig information on my FB page ‘Hollie Smith Official Page’ or on twitter Holliejsmith.
Hollie Smith Tour Dates:
Thursday 14th November @ Venue 505, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW
Friday 15 November @ The Hi-Fi, 125 Swanston Street, Melbourne – Apart of AWME
7.30pm til late
Price: $32 + BF – Bookings: 1300 843 4434 or www.thehifi.com.au
Listen to ‘Child Standing’
