Who: Hollie Smith first burst on to the New Zealand music scene with her smoky, sultry rendition of 2006 single Bathe In the River, written by Don McGlashan (he won the APRA Silver Scroll for his effort).
The following year, she released debut album Long Player, which earned her four 2007 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. Last year, Smith released second album Humour and the Misfortune of Others.
About the album: The first in a series of collaborative projects spearheaded by Smith, Band of Brothers, Vol 1 finds the Wellington soul diva in laid-back, understated mode. Assisted by beat-maker and multi-instrumentalist Mara TK, of Electric Wire Hustle, it reveals a more experimental side to the songwriter, perhaps prompted by a tight recording time-frame. Highlight: Promised Land Hotel.
For those who like: Sade.
