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Following her recent support slots for Bob Dylan, New Zealand songstress Hollie Smith is doing her first headlining theatre tour.
The girl with the golden voice behind Bathe In the River has had a big year so far. Not only did she release her debut album, Long Player, which went straight to No. 1 and has sold more than 15,000 copies, but most notably she also signed to the famous Blue Note label.
She is about to record two new songs in Philadelphia with acclaimed producer James Poyser who has worked with hip-hop stars Common and the Roots, and singer Erykah Badu in the past. She then goes on tour through Australia, the US, Canada, and Europe.
The New Zealand tour, with support from SJD, starts in Auckland at the St James Theatre on October 20 and the Clarence St Theatre in Hamilton on October 22. For the full list of dates go to holliesmith.co.nz.
Also on a local tip, and coming rocking and snorting straight out of the 60s is the Wild Things gig, a celebration of the wilder side of 1960s New Zealand rock'n'roll.
On November 17 at Auckland's Monte Cristo Room, bands like the Underdogs and the Breakaways, along with music icons Ray Columbus and Billy Kristian, will show that the 60s wasn't just about the Chicks and polite young Peter Sinclair. Oh no, the 60s were dangerous and rock'n'roll was all about feedback, fuzz-boxes and sonic liberation.
For more information and the full list of rock'n'roll rebels playing at the Monte Cristo Room, 51-53 Nelson St, go to www.myspace.com/wildthings07.
But wait. There's more. Ravishing Rufus Wainwright performs in New Zealand for the first time on February 4. Wainwright, who is apparently excellent live, is touring in support of his latest album Release the Stars and plays at the Studio on K Rd.
Another interesting local collaboration is the Cook Strait Social Club, made up of Julia Deans from Melbourne-based Kiwi band Fur Patrol, Samuel Flynn Scott from the Phoenix Foundation and Barry Saunders from the Warratahs.
The trio play 21 shows around New Zealand including at Auckland's Bacco Room on September 21 and the Leigh Sawmill on September 22.
Also, Bryan Ferry and Joan Armatrading have added another Auckland date and play the Logan Campbell Centre on December 3 and 4. And Brit pomp rockers Muse have confirmed they will play Auckland's Trusts Stadium on November 23 and Westpac Arena in Christchurch on November 25.
