The return of Hollie Smith.

It’s incredibly tragic what record labels have turned into these days.  Unable to keep up with the massive change in consumer habits for acquiring music via the internet, the last 15 years have turned multi-billion companies into hypersensitive budget-conscious messes where there appears to be no room for any shred of artist integrity.  Sell, and sell by the millions – or major labels don’t want you.

Hollie Smith’s “Long Player” seemed like a perfect fit for the legendary Blue Note offshoot Manhattan recordings.  It was a jazz-infused, bluesy piece of work marinated in Smith’s soulful and husky tones, but once again, it appears the mighty dollar and mass-appeal suits got in the way.  Read more details at Peter’s excellent Dub dot dash or a full interview here (NZ Herald).  Thanks to Bob Daktari for the link.

The video for Hollie’s new single, “Mamma”, can be viewed at MoFresh, and her sophomore album “Humour and the misfortune of others” is released on March 15, 2010.