WOMAD

Hollie Smith

From New Zealand

Hollie Smith is the name on everyone's lips. Staking her reputation on the strength of standout collaborations with the likes of Trinity Roots, Fat Freddy's Drop, Don McGlashan and One Million Dollars, she has turned heads with her deep, rich & soulful singing & songwriting, which has drawn praise from all who have had the pleasure of hearing her perform.Hollie's wide range of musical influences combine elements of soul, jazz, reggae and R&B in a distinctive manner that vividly illustrates her considerable talents. In 1999, as a 16-year-old, Hollie released her debut album “Light From a Distant Shore” after winning Best Female Vocalist at the National Youth Jazz Festival of New Zealand.This first release was within the Celtic genre and 2005 saw the release of Hollie Smith EP, showing off her own compositions which left behind the celtic for roots and soul.Hollie has appeared on numerous other albums including One Million Dollars – Energy State (2003); Nick Gaffaney – Born From the Breaking Waves (2004); Trinity Roots – Home, Land and Sea (2004); Recloose – Hiatus on the Horizon (2005); Fat Freddy's Drop – Based on a True Story (2005); The Return of Fly My Pretties (2006); Concord Dawn – Chaos by Design (2006), Solaa – Steps in Time (2006).In 2006, Bathe In The River, a song written by Don McGlashan for the film No. 2 and featuring Hollie Smith on vocals went to number one in the New Zealand charts and subsequently won the 2006 APRA Silver Scroll Award.Whatever style she embraces, Hollie creates an intriguing mix of sensual, melodic & earthy songs filled with depth, passion and power.