Spacific News #94: Hollie Smith

News on international touring artists Hollie Smith, The Black Seeds, Shapeshifter, Tiki Taane, I am Giant and The Mutton Birds.

THE VANDELLA :: HOLLIE SMITH :: 27/07/12

One of the finest singer songwriters in NZ, possessing a voice of great
range, depth and power, Hollie Smith burst onto the music scene back in
2006, courtesy of her contribution to the film No.2, 'Bathe in The
River'. The song topped the NZ charts and has became one of the biggest
selling and most iconic singles in NZ history.

Before then she had worked with numerous bands including Trinity Roots,
Fat Freddy's Drop and Detroit dance legend Recloose, and she showed her
diversity on her debut album 'Long Player', which went straight to number
1 on the charts as well as winning her several NZ music awards. Her
follow up album 'Humour and the Misfortune of Others' also hit number 1,
receiving rave reviews and numerous award nominations, followed by sold
out tours.

Hollie has just released her third album, which shows another side to her
style, being written and performed with MaraTK from Electric Wire Hustle.
'Band Of Brothers' is the first volume in what she hopes to be a series
of collaborative projects which 'experiment with sound, style & process.'

Supporting her on the night is local legend Jayson Norris.

Tickets are £7.50 +b/f from Ticketweb.co.uk (08444 771 000)

From: 7pm
Where: 15-19 Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush, W12 8QQ
Nearest tube: Goldhawk Road
Venue website: www.thevandella.com/

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ELECTRIC BRIXTON :: THE BLACK SEEDS :: 11/08/12

Having sold out April's gig at the Electric Ballroom, the Seeds are
heading to south London for round two, playing in the venue that used to
be known as The Fridge.

This will be their final London show for the year, and is part of their
second run through Europe to promote their brand new record "Dust and
Dirt". Self recorded and produced in their own studio, situated in a
condemned building in Wellington, the album sees The Black Seeds drawing
on a wider range of musical influences, from Radiohead to Alton Ellis.
The first release to come out on the band's own label Proville Records,
it follows their critically acclaimed LP's 'Into The Dojo' (2007) and
'Solid Ground' (2008), and charted at No.1 back in NZ as well as topping
reggae charts on iTunes and Amazon worldwide.

Support for the night will be local act Prince Fatty and the Horseman.
More info on them at www.princefatty.com/

Advance tickets are £14 +b/f from SeeTickets.com (0871 220 0260) or via
http://tinyurl.com/seedsbrixton.

From: 6.30pm
Where: Town Hall Parade, London SW2 1RJ
Nearest tube: Brixton
Venue website: www.electricbrixton.com

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ELECTRIC BALLROOM :: SHAPESHIFTER :: 15/08/12

Fresh from last year's legendary festival appearances at Glastonbury and
The Big Chill plus two sold out shows at Shepherd's Bush Empire,
Shapeshifter bring their explosive heavy soul to Camden's Electric
Ballroom.

Heralded as one of the most high-energy live acts around, Shapeshifter
are renowned for their very own heavy soul: a stadium-sized sound which
adds layers of drum & bass, jazz, funk, rock and electronica to solid
bass culture foundations, capable of morphing from rolling drum & bass to
pummelling guitar-driven jams to horizon-shifting electronic soundscapes.
This genre-defying amalgamation of influences continues to draw from new
source material and inspiration as Shapeshifter evolves, motivating
dancefloors worldwide and delivering audiences to the bleeding edge of
musical possibility.

Advance tickets are £17.50 +b/f from Ticketscript via
http://tinyurl.com/nzsballroom.

From: 7pm
Where: 184 Camden High Street, London, NW1 8QP
Nearest tubes: Camden Town
Venue website: www.electric-ballroom.co.uk/

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XOYO :: TIKI TAANE :: 30/08/12

Originally known for his high-energy antics and performances as the
frontman for Salmonella Dub, Tiki Taane has gone on to carve out a solid
career for himself as a solo artist. His debut album 'Past, Present,
Future' featured the smash hit 'Always on My Mind' and has now achieved
double platinum sales. The follow up 'In the World of Light' came out
early last year, entering the charts at No.1.

Tiki will be performing his acoustic set, to be followed by a DJ + MC set
with DJ Sambora from NZ Shapeshifter.

Advance tickets are £14 +b/f via Ticketweb.co.uk (08444 771 000) or via
http://tinyurl.com/tikilondon

From: 7.30pm
Where: 32-37 Cowper Street, London, EC2A 4AP
Nearest tubes: Old Street
Venue website: www.xoyo.co.uk

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THE GARAGE :: I AM GIANT :: 13/09/12

Just confirmed, a release party for the first European single by this
London-based quartet, comprised of English vocalist Ed Martin, sticks-man
Shelton Woolright (formerly of multi-platinum selling band Blindspott),
bassist Paul Matthews (Tadpole) and guitar-slinger Andrew Kerr.

Advance tickets are £8 +b/f via Ticketweb.co.uk (08444 771 000)

From: 7pm
Where: 20-22 Highbury Corner, London, N5 1RD.
Nearest tube: Highbury & Islington
Venue website: www.thegarage.co.uk

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THE MUTTON BIRDS :: O2 EMPIRE :: 27/10/12

Possibly the last Mutton Birds concert ever!

Tickets are on sale via Ticketweb.co.uk (08444 771 000) or from
http://tinyurl.com/themuttonbirds.

From: 7pm
At: Shepherd's Bush Green, W12
Nearest tube: Shepherd's Bush or Goldhawk Rd
Venue website: o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk