HOLLIE SMITH & MARA TK: Band Of Brothers Vol 1

Released on August 1, ‘Band Of Brothers, Vol: 1’ is the first in a series of musical projects spearheaded by Hollie Smith with the mind to experiment with different artists and aspects of production and collaboration.

In Volume 1 she joins acclaimed beat maker, vocalist and multi- instrumentalist Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle) as the two journey through soul, psychedelia and electronica.

This collaboration with Mara TK is the first ‘volume’ in this project which kind of happened by accident says Hollie “I have always been a huge fan of Electric Wire Hustle and after talking to Mara about helping me co-produce another idea, it developed and made more sense for us to establish a whole new project – which is what we did. We both wanted to do this before we both made our way offshore and made a 6 week deadline to write, record and finish it… we did it.” The two musicians worked very closely within this process under the 6 week time constraint with long hours and ‘forced’ creativity. It meant finding a new discipline within the bounds of writing music, however the results and depth of the album suggests their extreme productivity as a duo.

This is an opportunity to hear a different side of Hollie’s songwriting ability. More effected, more experimental and at times her commanding vocal removes itself to a mere ghostly voice in the distance.  Switching from a live band aesthetic to a project which is predominantly electronic shows a bold contrast and departure from her solo releases Long Player and Humour and the Misfortune of Others.

While her voice is unmistakable, the injection of Mara TK’s future soul and modern beats drives these songs on a wilder tangent than we are used to with Smith’s previous releases. The two musician’s styles weave around each other to create a psychedelic soul amalgamation which sooths and sweeps through filters, effects and futuristic synths and sounds.