One of New Zealand's best loved singer-songwriters, Hollie Smith, is to perform a one-off, intimate show at the Tauranga Art Gallery on Saturday.
Hollie, who has lived in Mount Maunganui since 2013, is on a national tour to celebrate her new single Lady Dee.
With her unique soulful voice, the singer started performing with Trinity Roots and Fat Freddy's Drop at a young age.
She became New Zealand's Queen of Soul thanks to Don McGlashan, who wrote the single Bathe in the River released by Mt Raskil Preservation Society and sung by Hollie. It appeared on the soundtrack for the New Zealand film No. 2 and topped the charts for 22 weeks in 2006.
Since then, Hollie has released three albums and won a number of New Zealand Music Awards including Best Female Solo Artist, Best Aotearoa Roots Album and Best Producer.
Her highly-anticipated new album is set to be released next year.!In 2014, Hollie was invited to headline a stage at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Amidst sold-out national tours, international tours, collaborations with the cream of New Zealand music, opening for major international acts (Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Simply Red) and performing at the Blue Note and Montreal Jazz Festivals, Hollie remains focused on staying grounded.
"Hollie is extremely busy with recording and rehearsing at the moment, and she has a very full promo schedule as well with her Australian tour dates coming up," says the Gallery's event coordinator Kalou Koefoed.
"It is really great that she will be here at the Gallery on Saturday and we expect a big crowd. It will be a very special atmosphere," she says.
Opening for Hollie Smith on Saturday night are Phil & Tilley, an English acoustic folk duo from Waihi Beach.
Phil Howell and Alex Tilley bring an energetic and unique sound to their performances with guitars and stand up bass. They do fantastic harmonies and bring an interesting mix of originals and covers.
the fine print
What: Hollie Smith
When: Saturday, November 21 at 8pm
Where: Tauranga Art Gallery
Tickets: Pre-sale $40. Door sales (if any) $45.