It\u2019s Smith and her piano, stripping her music to its bare bones.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really personal and I get to connect with everyone on a more intimate basis.\u201d<\/p>\n
But now, she said, it\u2019s time to get back into the studio \u2013 \u201cto let go of the bones and actually start making a body\u201d.<\/p>\n
Smith asks her audience for feedback during her shows, inviting them to participate in the creation process.<\/p>\n
Renowned New Zealand musician Hollie Smith wraps The Bones Tour before focusing on a new record. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the songs won\u2019t make it to the final record. This might be the last time these songs are ever played, especially with the T\u014dtara Street show.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what the tour focused on: seeing what resonates with people.<\/p>\n
Smith said there were four or five songs that never miss.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery single time, they had really positive feedback and emotive responses. Regardless of what I do with those songs, I know they\u2019re good.\u201d<\/p>\n
They are the ones in green on the set list written on her wall, including Day Too Late, Perfect Storm and Point of View.<\/p>\n
Hollie Smith’s set list for The Bones Tour. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n
Further down the line, Smith might create a live album. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d prefer to be doing that over recording.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said live shows had been difficult since Covid. The pandemic changed the entertainment industry and creative sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing has really come back,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve only had a handful of gigs this year, whereas I used to have dozens and dozens of shows a year. There\u2019s just no events, no award ceremonies, no Christmas parties, no corporate events.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s another reason why The Bones Tour kept extending: because it was little venues, just me in the car by myself driving from north of Whang\u0101rei to Bluff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lately, Smith has taken on a mentorship role.<\/p>\n
She has been teaching classes at Wintec in Hamilton, alongside mentoring Mount Maunganui College students and young musicians, two of whom are Rotorua\u2019s Nikau Grace<\/a> and Tauranga\u2019s Sophie-Maude<\/a>, her supporting acts for the Totara Street gig.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice being able to give them a platform, a bit of stage time, and to hopefully introduce them to some new people.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s actually kind of daunting having them on before me. I\u2019m nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith said social media poses a significant challenge for up-and-coming musicians, distorting their expectations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reality is the hard work you\u2019re doing and what you\u2019re seeing on social media isn\u2019t all it\u2019s cracked up to be.\u201d<\/p>\nNew Zealand singer-songwriter Hollie Smith surrounds herself with creativity at her home studio in Ot\u016bmoetai. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n