Humour and the Misfortune of Others

Time had crept by since Hollie Smith's voice was last seen wandering through the minds of her adoring New Zealand public. Those who had cherished 'Long Player' but wanted more had started to ask where in the world she was hiding. Hollie Smith had been hiding, but also biding her time and searching for the inspiration to begin crafting the songs that would say the things that were floating around inside her head and her heart. Creating a new album would make up her next musical voyage, and she felt ready to do that.

'Humour and the Misfortune of Others' is a 12-song journey into the realms of soul, funk, blues, psychedelia and even country, all led by a young woman's voice that careens between delicate beauty to spine tingling power. It is an album Hollie is proud of, one that will stand the test of time, and one that shows she has grown as a composer and an artist since the release of her critically acclaimed debut album 'Long Player'. 'Humour and the Misfortune of Others' explores different musical sounds and styles throughout it's twelve tracks and reiterate's Hollie Smith's love for creating soulful music laden with groove.

Hollie made her first real inroads and impression with the New Zealand audience after the release of her soulful self titled EP in 2005, and captured us further with her heart wrenching lead vocal on the Don McGlashan-penned 2006 chart hit "Bathe in the River". The anticipation had built dramatically by the time Hollie's full length album, 'Long Player' was released in May 2007 and it's success showed how much of a fan base wanted more with the album selling double platinum. International interest in Hollie and 'Long Player' was huge and before long she was signed by legendary American R&B/blues label Blue Note and around this time spent a number of weeks touring through Australia and Europe. Due to unforeseen circumstances to do with a global EMI Records (owners of Blue Note) buy out, Hollie's 'Long Player' was never released outside of New Zealand or Australia. it was a huge blow for Hollie to not only lose the release through Blue Note, but to enter into complications with a global music giant on an album she considered 'her baby' and the result of years of toil. What followed was Hollie's quietest musical period since she was a teenager. Although 'Long Player' received unanimous praise, several New Zealand music awards, and had sold over 30,000 copies in New Zealand alone, Hollie was still disillusioned by the music industry and the way the international release of 'Long PLayer' had been treated. It was almost two years since she had the means and desire to begin writing again. But when she did, it began to pour from her and the result are a collection of uplifting and heartfelt songs which talk of love, loss and hope.

'Humour and the Misfortune of Others' is Hollie Smith's greatest musical offering yet, and show's one of this country's finest musical talents returning to a public eagerly awaiting any song, album or live show they can get their hands on.