Kimbra
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Kimbra | |
|---|---|
 Kimbra on stage at the 2011 Moomba Festival. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kimbra Johnson |
| Origin | Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Genres | Soul, alternative, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter, Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Forum 5, Warner Bros. Records |
| Website | Kimbra's official MySpace |
Kimbra Johnson (born 27 March 1990), known mononymously as Kimbra, is a New Zealand singer/songwriter from Hamilton, New Zealand. She is currently based in Melbourne, Australia. Kimbra's debut album 'Vows' is due for release on September 2, 2011 in Australia and New Zealand on Warner Bros Records.
Biography
Early years
Kimbra Johnson was born in Hamilton, New Zealand and remained there for the majority of her childhood. She attended Hillcrest High School, rising to prominence as a musician after competing in the national schools' competition Rockquest for three years running, where she was awarded 2nd place in 2004 at age 14.
Her upbringing wasn't particularly influenced by music, but at the age of 10 Kimbra began writing songs. Johnson's father Ken was the head doctor at the University of Waikato's student health center and her mother, Chris, was a nurse. Ken bought Kimbra a guitar when she was 12 years old, and "after a few years of lessons, she was on stage, performing with her guitar tutor (she was never taught to sing)".[1]
Career beginnings
Early public performances by Johnson included singing at the Waikato Times Gold Cup race meeting in 2000 as a ten year-old, and the national anthem at age twelve before 27,000 people at the Auckland vs Waikato NPC rugby final.
After winning the Juice TV award for best breakthrough music video for her second single "Simply on My Lips" in 2007, Kimbra, then aged seventeen, came to the attention of ex-Independiente Records boss Mark Richardson and his newly-formed management company/independent label Forum 5 in Melbourne, whom she signed with and relocated to Australia to begin work on her debut record.
Her first single "Settle Down" and the provocative music video directed by Guy Franklin. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton featured the track on his website citing "If you like Nina Simone, Florence & The Machine and/or Bjork, then we think you will enjoy Kimbra - her music reminds us of all those fierce ladies!" [2]
On June 7, 2011 Kimbra signed to Warner Bros. Records New Zealand for ANZ as well as a worldwide deal for all other territories with Warner Bros. Records in the US .[3]
Her debut album Vows is currently set for release on August 29th in New Zealand and September 2nd in Australia.
Musical style and performance
Kimbra's musical style harbours "smoky soul, flights of dazzling invention and intricate layers of deeply felt emotion". Comparisons have been drawn with Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse and Björk. Her songs are heavily thematic and laced with "quirky" jazz chords. Kimbra's music pertains beyond the "four chord cliché but still mantains [sic] strong hooks and catchy melodies that are sometimes unpredictable but satisfying".[4]
Discography
Singles
- "Deep for You" (2005) Recorded @ York St. Studios[5]
- "Simply on My Lips" (2007) Recorded @ The Labs Studios[6]
- "Settle Down" (2010) Recorded @ Sing Sing Studios Melbourne
- "Cameo Lover" (2011) Recorded @ Sing Sing Studios Melbourne [7]
- "Good Intent" (2011) Recorded @ Sing Sing Studios Melbourne
As a featured artist:
- Miami Horror's "I Look to You" (2010)[8]
- Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" (2011)[9]
Albums
References
- ^ Woulfe, C. (2010, October 31). Unchained Melodies. Sunday Star Times, pp16–18.
- ^ http://perezhilton.com/2010-08-20-watch-listen-like-ice
- ^ http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Kimbra-Signs-Worldwide-Deal-With-Warner-Bros-Records-1524021.htm
- ^ http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/2038.html
- ^ http://www.amplifier.co.nz/track/28565/deep-for-you.html
- ^ http://www.amplifier.co.nz/track/28564/simply-on-my-lips.html
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/cameo-lover-single/id429572914
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/i-look-to-you-feat-kimbra/id382896188
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/somebody-that-i-used-to-know/id448315985
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNH-2QFEsfY&feature=player_detailpage#t=95s