Kimbra
Kimbra | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Kimbra Lee Johnson |
Born | Hamilton, New Zealand | 27 March 1990
Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2000–present |
Labels |
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Website | kimbramusic |
Kimbra Lee Johnson (born 27 March 1990), known
Kimbra's debut album, Vows, was released in Australia in 2011. Singles from the album include "Settle Down", "Cameo Lover" (which won an Australian Recording Industry Association Award), "Good Intent" and "Two Way Street". A reworked version of the album was released in Europe and the United States in 2012. It featured several new songs, including "Come into My Head", "Warrior" (on which Kimbra was joined by musicians Mark Foster from Foster the People and DJ A-Trak), and a cover of Nina Simone's "Plain Gold Ring". Vows reached the top 5 in New Zealand and Australia. In May 2012, the album was released in North America, debuting at number 14 on the Billboard 200, her highest-charting album.
Early life
Kimbra Lee Johnson
Career
Early public performances by Kimbra included singing at the
2010–2013: Vows and awards success
In June 2010, Kimbra's first single on Forum 5, "Settle Down", was released. She had started writing the track four years earlier – it was finished with François Tétaz.[10][11] The music video was directed by Guy Franklin. Perez Hilton featured the track on his website citing "[i]f you like Nina Simone, Florence & the Machine and/or Björk, then we think you will enjoy Kimbra – her music reminds us of all those fierce ladies!"[12] On 10 December, the Australian 'indietronica' group Miami Horror released their single, "I Look to You" featuring Kimbra's vocals.[13] Kimbra also stars in its music video, which features wide-angle and kaleidoscope shots of her in face paint and dresses walking through golden fields.[14] Early in 2011, Kimbra's song "
On 29 August 2011, Kimbra's debut album, Vows, was released in New Zealand and 2 September in Australia. In its first week of release it charted at No. 3 in New Zealand, No. 5 in Australia and No. 14 in the US. In its second week, it rose to No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Australian producer '
On 19 January 2012, "
On 10 February 2013, Kimbra and Gotye won the Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance awards at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards Show for "Somebody That I Used to Know". This achievement made her only the third New Zealand singer to win a Grammy Award in history.[29] Kimbra was also featured with the R&B singer John Legend in the song Made to Love, published in the album Love in the Future. The single was released on 11 June 2013 and the album was released on 30 August 2013.[30] On 15 September 2013, Kimbra performed for Rock in Rio Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[31] Kimbra was also involved in a non-profit charity organisation called So They Can. Kimbra became the ambassador of So They Can within the year of 2013.[32]
2014–present: The Golden Echo, Primal Heart, and A Reckoning
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (August 2015) |
After the Grammy Awards, Kimbra relocated to LA to work on her second studio album, known as The Golden Echo, taking up residence on a farm. People who collaborated on The Golden Echo include Rich Costey, Daniel Johns, Taylor Graves, Matt Bellamy, Thundercat, Mark Foster, Bilal (Singing on the No. 8 track 'Everlovin' Ya'), John Legend, John Robinson and also Kimbra's bandmates, Timon Martin and Benjamin Davey. During the making of the second album, Kimbra was invited to play at a concert in Adelaide and was invited to perform at WOMAD 2014, also debuting a new song titled "Nobody But You". On 19 May 2014, Kimbra released the lead single from The Golden Echo called "90s Music" to largely positive reviews. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard called the song "captivating" when he previewed it in May 2014. The official music video was not long released after the audio, debuting on YouTube on 3 June 2014. The song did not chart in New Zealand or Australia. 'Miracle' was released as the second single on 24 July 2014. It was her first song to chart on Billboard, peaking at No. 37 on the Japan Hot 100. The song has received mainly positive reviews from critics, with many complimenting the song's disco-influenced feel. Olivia Forman of Spin stated that the song has a "flawlessly fluctuating [...] beat" and additionally complimented Kimbra's vocals. The music video for 'Miracle' was released onto YouTube on 19 August 2014, the official music video for the song was directed by Thom Kerr. The Golden Echo was released on 15 August 2014 (AU/NZ) and 19 August 2014 (US) charting Australian Albums (ARIA) at 5, New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) at 5 and US Billboard 200 at 43. The Golden Echo received generally positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the album obtained a normalised score of 70 out of 100, based on reviews from 16 selected mainstream critics. The release of the album was followed by a 12-show US tour with Empress of in November 2015.
In April 2015, Kimbra toured the US with a total of five shows. Kimbra is featured in a song by Bilal called 'Holding It Back' from his album In Another Life. On 15 July, Kimbra released the video for her third single from The Golden Echo called "Goldmine", which surpassed 110,000 views in a matter of a day. On 30 September 2016, Kimbra released a non-album single called "Sweet Relief".[33] On 18 September 2017, Kimbra and her record label sent a personalised email to fans who subscribed to the Warner Bros. mailing list, conveying information about her third studio-album and an upcoming single.[34] Kimbra is managed by guitarist Ben Weinman, founding member of metal band The Dillinger Escape Plan, since around 2017. He has also frequently contributed guitar to Kimbra's music.[35][36]
On 29 September 2017, she released the album's lead single, entitled "Everybody Knows", which was co-produced by Nelly Furtado and Goldfrapp affiliate John Congleton. "Top of the World" was released as the second single on 10 November 2017 and was later performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers. "Primal Heart" was initially planned to be released on 19 January 2018,[37] but was then pushed back to 20 April 2018. Kimbra explained the reasons for the push back and gave a song out for free to fans subscribed to her mailing list to make it up to them. The song is called "Hi Def Distance Romance".[38] A further three more singles were released before the album release, those being "Human" on 19 January 2018, "Version of Me" on 23 February 2018 and "Like They Do on the TV" on 30 March 2018.[39] A new version of "Version of Me" featuring Dawn Richard was released on 21 June 2018,[40][41] and a new version of "Top of the World" featuring Snoop Dogg was released on 20 July 2018.[42][43]
Kimbra made her acting debut in a big screen adaption of the musical-drama production Daffodils released on 21 March 2019. The singer stars alongside Kiwi lead actors Rose McIver, from iZombie and The Lovely Bones and George Mason, from Home and Away and Go Girls.[44] In March 2020, Kimbra released a course with online music school Soundfly on vocal creativity, arranging, and production.[45] In April 2020, she appeared as the lead expert and mentor on TVNZ 2's reboot of Popstars.[46] Kimbra embarked on a Sofar Sounds secret location venue tour of the United States in October and November 2021, previewing her upcoming fourth studio album.[47]
Kimbra's fourth album, A Reckoning, was released on 27 January 2023.[2]
Live band
- Jacob Bergson – keyboards (2018-present), musical director (2021–present)
- Vancil Cooper – drums (2021-present)
Previous members
- Fagan Wilcox – samples/synth/guitar/vocals (2009–2014)
- Ben Davey – keyboards/vocals (2010–2014)
- Stan Bicknell – drums (2009–2010)
- Joe Cope (2009)
- Stevie McQuinn – drums (2010–2016)
- Frank Abraham – bass/keyboards (2014–2016)
- Taylor Graves – keyboards/vocals (2014–2016)
- Timon Martin – guitar, backing vocals (2009–2018), keyboards (2016–2018)
- Spencer Zahn – bass, keyboards (2016–2021)
Artistry
Muzic.net.nz states that Kimbra's music delves beyond the "four chord cliché but still maintains strong hooks and catchy melodies that are sometimes unpredictable but satisfying".[48] In an interview with American Songwriter, she listed Daniel Johns, Prince, Rufus Wainwright, Guided by Voices, Imogen Heap, Mike Patton, Michael Jackson, Minnie Riperton and Stevie Wonder as her influences.[49] Her musical style is eclectic.[50]
Discography
- Vows(2011)
- The Golden Echo (2014)
- Primal Heart (2018)
- A Reckoning (2023)
Filmography
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | RocKwiz | Herself/Musical Guest | Season 9, Episode 6 |
2012 | Saturday Night Live | Season 37, Episode 19 | |
Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Season 10, Episode 19 - "John Krasinski/Eloise Mumford/Gotye"; Performed with Gotye[51] | ||
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Season 20, Episode - "Wanda Sykes/Rob Riggle/Kimbra"[52] | ||
Project Runway Australia | Herself/Audience Member | ||
2012–2013 | Last Call with Carson Daly | Herself/Musical Guest | 2 episodes: Season 12, Episode 12 - "Sam Rockwell/Jordan Roberts/Kimbra",[53] Episode 95 - "Deon Cole/Kimbra"[54] |
2013 | Rock in Rio | Herself/Performer | Episode 5.3 |
2014 | Late Show with David Letterman | Herself/Musical Guest | Season 22, Episode 45 - "Jennifer Lopez/Rob Riggle/Kimbra"[55] |
Sesame Street | Herself/Guest Star | ||
2016 | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |
Herself/Musical Guest | |
2018 | Late Night with Seth Meyers | Season 5, Episode 60 - "John Kasich/Darren Criss/Kimbra/Nikki Glaspie"[56] | |
2020 | Helpsters | Herself/Guest Star | Apple TV+ series |
Films
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | SXSW Flashback 2012 | Herself/Performer | |
2019 | Daffodils | Maisie |
Tours
- Vows Tour (2011)
- World Wide Tour – (with Gotye) (2012)
- Torches Tour with Foster the People, the Kooks, Tokyo Police Club, Mayer Hawthorne) (2012)
- Vows European Winter Tour (2012)
- Vows US Tour (2012)
- The Golden Electric Tour (with Janelle Monáe) (2014) – Cancelled
- The Golden Echo Tour (2014/2015)
- Primal Heart Tour (2017/2018)
- Primal Heart: Reimagined Tour (2018/2019)
- Album Preview Tour (2021)
- A Reckoning Tour (2023)
- Djesse Vol. 4 Tour (with Jacob Collier) (2024)
Awards and nominations
APRA Awards
The
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Kimbra | Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year[58] | Nominated |
"Somebody That I Used to Know" – Gotye featuring Kimbra | Most Played Australian Work[59] | Won | |
Song of the Year[60] | Won | ||
"Cameo Lover" – Kimbra | Song of the Year[61] | Nominated |
ARIA Awards
The ARIA Music Awards are presented annually from 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). In 2011, Kimbra won one award as a solo artist and two awards as a featured artist.[62] Gotye featuring Kimbra performed the single, "Somebody That I Used to Know", at the awards ceremony.[63][64]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | "Somebody That I Used to Know" – Gotye featuring Kimbra | Single of the Year | Won |
Highest Selling Single |
Nominated | ||
Best Pop Release | Won | ||
"Cameo Lover" – Kimbra | Best Female Artist | Won | |
"Cameo Lover" – Kimbra – Guy Franklin | Best Video | Nominated | |
"Somebody That I Used to Know" – Gotye featuring Kimbra - (director Natasha Pincus) | Won | ||
2012 | "Vows" – Kimbra | Best Female Artist | Won |
"Vows" – Kimbra | Best Pop Release | Nominated |
Billboard Music Award
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | "Somebody That I Used to Know" | Top Hot 100 Song | Won |
Top Digital Song | Nominated | ||
Top Radio Song | Won | ||
Top Streaming Song (Audio) | Won | ||
Top Rock Song | Won |
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are presented annually from 1959 by the
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 |
"Somebody That I Used to Know" | Record of the Year[65] | Won |
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | Won |
New Zealand Music Awards
The
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Kimbra | Critics' Choice Prize | Won |
2012[66] | Vows | Album of the Year | Won |
Best Pop Album | Won | ||
"Warrior" | Single of the Year | Nominated | |
Kimbra | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Won | |
Best Female Solo Artist | Won | ||
Peoples' Choice Award | Nominated | ||
International Achievement Award | Won | ||
2018 | Best Solo Artist | Nominated | |
Best Pop Artist | Won |
MTV Europe Music Award
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | "Somebody That I Used to Know" | Best Song | Nominated |
Kimbra | Best Australia & New Zealand Act
|
Nominated | |
2014 | Kimbra | Best New Zealand Act | Nominated |
2018 | Nominated |
MTV Video Music Award
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | "Somebody That I Used to Know" | Video of the Year | Nominated |
Best Editing | Nominated | ||
Most Share-Worthy Video | Nominated |
Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition
The
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011[68] | "Cameo Lover" | Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition | 1st |
Other awards
Year | Award | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Juice TV Awards | Breakthrough Video ("Simply on My Lips") | Won |
2011 | International Songwriting Competition[69] | Grand Prize | Won |
J Award[70]
|
Album of the Year (Vows) | Nominated | |
Music Video of the Year ("Somebody That I Used to Know") | Nominated | ||
2012 | Rolling Stone | One to Watch Award | Won |
2013 | mtvU Woodie Awards | Tag Team Woodie ("Warrior") | Won |
2019 | GAFFA-Prisen Awards | Best International Artist | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b c Collar, Matt. "Kimbra". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ a b Brandle, Lars (20 October 2022). "Kimbra Sets New Album, Signs With Inertia Music & PIAS: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ^ Kimbra (The build up) by Vincent Fantauzzo, 2012 Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW
- ^ Kimbra – "The build up" (Portrait by Vincent Fantauzzo for Archibald 2012), Youtube.
- ^ "Kimbra Announces New Album 'Primal Heart', Previews New Music in Email To Fans". Music Feeds. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the originalon 5 November 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Play It Strange Top 20 - 2004". Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ "Play It Strange: About Us". Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ Risk, Louise (10 June 2011). "Look at her now". Waikato Times. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ Jetstar Airways. Archived from the originalon 24 March 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "'Settle Down' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Watch & Listen: Like Ice!". PerezHilton.com. 20 August 2010. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "'I Look to You' (ft. Kimbra) – EP". iTunes Store. 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ "Miami Horror – 'I Look to You' (ft. Kimbra) (official HD)". 26 August 2010. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2012 – via YouTube.
- ^ [1] Archived 1 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 15 July 2011. Archived from the originalon 25 September 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
- ^ "Kimbra Signs Worldwide Deal With Warner Bros. Records". Marketwire.com. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ Jones, Nicholas (15 February 2012). "Kimbra Replacement After First Choice Cancelled Reveals Gotye". Tone Deaf. Tone Deaf Network. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ Nimmervoll, Ed. "Gotye". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ^ Bridget Jones (6 October 2011). "Kimbra wins Critics' Choice Award 2011". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "Kimbra wins Aussie music award". Television New Zealand. 28 November 2011.
- ^ "Kimbra, Friday August 9, The Forum Theatre | Beat Magazine". Beat.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ "Kimbra – Astor Theatre Perth – EnjoyPerth!". Enjoyperth.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ [2] Archived 19 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kimbra (26 January 2012). "Kimbra Wins A Rolling Stone Award". Kimbramusic.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
- ^ "Kimbra shares her joy". MediaWorks. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
- ^ "Calvin Klein Collection Hosts Special Dinner in Beijing With Performance By Kimbra at Long March Space | View photo – Yahoo News". Yahoo! News. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ "Thousands jam in the Summadayze sun". The Age. Melbourne.
- ^ "Kimbra". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ "John Legend Debuts EDM-Influenced Single 'Made To Love' Feat. Kimbra " Radio.com". News.radio.com. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ "Rock in Rio by: Portal Kimbra | Rock in Rio Brasil". Rockinrio.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ "Charity a hit for musos – music – entertainment". Stuff.co.nz. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ "Kimbra – "Sweet Relief"". Stereogum. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- Stuff. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ Dwyer, Kevin (25 January 2018). "Interview: Kimbra". Sound of Boston - Boston Music Blog. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ "Dillinger Escape Plan Writing New Music With Kimbra: 'She's The Real Deal'". Music Feeds. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ "My new album 'Primal Heart' will be out on Jan 19th – Kimbra Official Website Official Blog". Kimbra Official Website. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- BroadwayWorld Music. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- UPROXX. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ "Kimbra Joins Forces With DAWN for Dramatic 'Version of Me': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ Version of Me – Single by Kimbra & Dawn, 22 June 2018, retrieved 27 July 2018
- ^ "Kimbra + Snoop Dogg Drop Remix 'Top of the World'". UnderTheRadarNZ. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ "Top of the World (feat. Snoop Dogg) – Single by Kimbra". iTunes. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ "DAFFODILS". Daffodils. RAGLAN FILMS LIMITED. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "Online music education platform collaborates with Kimbra". www.technologydecisions.com.au. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ "Kiwi musician Kimbra on her new role on Popstars, finding love, and starting a family". NZ Herald. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ Hatfield, Amanda (16 September 2021). "Tour News: James Blake, Kimbra, Shamir, Boston Calling additions, No Vacation, more". Brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ "Kimbra – New Zealand Musicians & Bands". Muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ Schlansky, Evan (11 June 2012). "Kimbra". American Songwriter. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ Wood, Mikael (3 October 2012). "Kimbra brings 'Vows' to the Fonda Theatre". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ [3][dead link]
- ^ "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
- ^ "Last Call with Carson Daly: October 11, 2012: Sam Rockwell, Jordan Roberts, Kimbra". TV.com.
- ^ "Last Call with Carson Daly". TVGuide.com.
- ^ [4][dead link]
- ^ "Late Night With Seth Meyers | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
- Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Archived from the originalon 25 May 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Nominations > Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year – 2012". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Winners for the 2012 APRA Music Awards Announced". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "2012 Winners". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2012. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Nominations > Song of the Year – 2012". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "The Countdown Begins....Nominations Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ ARIA Awards 2011 at Allphones Arena begins with battle of the red carpet Archived 27 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine – news.com.au – Retrieved 28 November 2011.
- ^ Boy and Bear dominate ARIA awards – Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Retrieved 28 November 2011.
- ^ 3 News NZ. 10 December 2012. Archived from the originalon 13 April 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
- ^ "2012 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards Winners Announced " Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards". Nzmusicawards.co.nz. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "About the Vanda Young Global Song Writing Competition". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ "Past Winners". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition". Songwritingcompetition.com. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
- ^ Kimbra (26 September 2011). "Vows Nominated for a J Award". Kimbramusic.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
External links
- Official website
- Kimbra at IMDb