Queen of Soul comes to Horowhenua

Media Release: Tuesday 8 May 2018

Music fans in Horowhenua are in for a treat as New Zealand’s Queen of Soul, Hollie Smith, takes centre stage at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō on Friday 18 May.

Horowhenua District Council Cultural and Community Centre Manager, Hendrix Warren, said Council is delighted to give music lovers in Horowhenua the opportunity to hear Ms Smith live.

“Hollie Smith is one of New Zealand’s most prominent and iconic musicians, and is known for her incredible live performances and powerhouse vocals,” he said.

Mr Warren said Ms Smith has a reputation for creating music with integrity and passion, and is respected as a prolific and hardworking singer and songwriter.

Ms Smith has performed live at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival and Australia’s Queenscliff Festival, as well as numerous successful New Zealand tours. She has opened for top international artists, including Bob Dylan, Coldplay and Simply Red.

Her 2007 debut album, Long Player, went straight to number one on the New Zealand charts and reached multi-platinum status. It was followed by sold-out tours and acclamation at the New Zealand Music Awards, where Ms Smith carried away the awards for Best Producer, Best Female Solo Artist, and Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Her second album, Humour and the Misfortune of Others, released in 2010, also reached number one and achieved gold status. It was followed in 2011 by her third album, Band of Brothers Vol. 1, a collaboration with Mara TK from Electric Wire Hustle.

Ms Smith’s latest solo album, Water or Gold, was released in 2016, entering the New Zealand charts at number one and remaining in the top ten for three weeks. The album gained two New Zealand Music Awards nominations for Best Album and Best Female Solo Artist.

In addition to her career as a solo artist, Ms Smith has worked successfully with numerous bands, including Trinity Roots, Fat Freddy’s Drop, and Detroit dance legend Recloose, as well as working with top New Zealand songwriter Don McGlashan on a chart-topping movie soundtrack single, ‘Bathe in the River’.

Singer/songwriter Karleigh O’Connor features as the opening act on the night. Ms O’Connor is a former Waiopehu College student and will bring her acoustic flavour and heartfelt music to warm the crowd.

The Hollie Smith Duo performs at 8pm on Friday 18 May. Tickets are available from Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō or online from Eventbrite, and cost $40 pre-booked or $50 at the door on the night.

ENDS

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