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A sold-out Northcote Social Club witnessed something special on Saturday night. Kimbra, elegantly contrasted in red and black, tilted her head back, rocked on her heels and let her voice soar, enchanting all who were lucky enough to hear it. (Continued on below hyperlink) - Inpress Magazine
The momentum around Kiwi-bred, Melbourne-based singer Kimbra is growing. (Continued on below hyperlink) - The Age Newspaper
She's only done one single at the moment but I feel like Kimbra is a girl to keep an eye on. (Continued on hyperlink) - The Music Network Magazine
Before the leading lady took to the stage, Kimbra appeared to deliver a half hour of weird yet strangely lovable pop. Definitely not the average pop singer, it’s probably fair to say she was getting mixed reactions from the crowd – often pulling them in with quirky vocal techniques, but then sometimes losing them by getting a bit carried away. An eccentric cover of Gotye’s Hearts A Mess rounded things out for her – a version most wouldn’t have ever expected but one she managed to pull off well. - fasterlouder.com.au
We admit to not knowing very much about the Australian singer/songwriter who simply goes by the name Kimbra. We do know that the Melbourne performer is working on her debut album with producer/engineer Francois Tetaz and, most importantly, her jazzy, inventively structured smartpop songs such as "Two Way Street" and "Settle Down" (listen after the jump) have us going back for second (and third) listens... - directcurrentmusic.com
On the magical journey this time round was the gorgeous Melbourne songstress Kimbra.
Kimbra has a similar reaching vocal range to Blackman, so it seems only natural she’s on tour with her. Singing with a jazz-influenced style a la Bessie Smith or Nina Simone combined with contemporary influences such as Camille or Amy Winehouse she has a hugely interesting texture. - fasterlouder.com.au
Discography
First single 'Settle Down' released to radio/TV in mid 2010.
Second Single 'Cameo Lover' released to radio/TV Mar 2011
Third Single 'Good Intent' released July 2011
debut album 'Vows' released 02 September 2011 (Australia/New Zealand)
Rest of World early 2012
Photos
Bio
KIMBRA
Heard of her?
Maybe you know her independent hit singles Cameo Lover and Settle Down, which won her 1st place in the Pop Category of International Song writing Competition; or you’re one of the 1,000,000+ total views of her stylish videos on YouTube. The name may ring a bell from any one of her electric live shows: the beautiful sun-down slot at the Meredith Music Festival, or her sold-out performance at the Corner Hotel, and more recently opening for the APRA awards in Sydney. Perhaps you recognise Kimbra from her contributing vocals to Miami Horror’s I Look To You, or her upcoming collaboration with Gotye on his forthcoming sophomore Making Mirrors. Kimbra also been touted as one to watch from music media including The Music Network’s Top 10, Triple J’s Cream of The Crop, plus The Age, Herald Sun and Rolling Stone
The point is: if you don’t know Kimbra by name, you soon will.
But the story goes further back. Spending her early years gigging around her native New Zealand, it was only once Kimbra borrowed a small eight-track recorder from her school’s musical department that her song writing blossomed in earnest. This new tool opened up a new perspective, leading to a flurry of tracks that featured her signature layered vocals, including the inkling that became Settle Down. Discovered by Manager, Mark Richardson at the tender age of 17, who enabled her to relocated to Melbourne to follow her musical path.
Kimbra’s debut record Vows, three and-a-half years in the making, charts not only her growth and development musically over this time, but personally as well. Recorded and arranged at home as well as in various studios, it presents her unique worldview on life and love. Even at twenty-one years of age, Kimbra already possesses the maturity and musical sophistication of the mavericks she is so often compared to - from vocal legends Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley, to radicals the likes of Prince, and contemporary artists such as Björk and Janelle Monaé.
Kimbra self-produced Vows alongside Australian Urban export M-Phazes (Amerie, Pharoahe Monch) and the refined skills of François Tétaz (Bertie Blackman, Gotye); whose focus on imagery taught her to treat the album like a film. If Vows is a film then, what is it about?
Vows could be seen as an ambitiously eclectic journey of joyful triumph but also darker introspection. A smoky romance one scene, a film noir the next, in a dazzling, colourful display with a multifarious soundtrack to match; travelling its conceptual groove through a diverse mix of styles. Migrating confidently from triumphant neo-pop built on stacked harmonies and joyful hooks, to moodier, reflective moments that showcase her sophisticated vocals. A voice that centres the record as it slinks effortlessly from sly croon to emphatic wailing, layered through the record or left hanging vulnerably, warping and flexing in tone but consistently delivering the greatest character of expression: honesty.
Already complemented by a band of funky virtuosos, Kimbra is set to brighten up stages across the country with appearances at Splendour In The Grass and Parklife, as well as a headlining national tour in support of the album. Vows, released 2nd September 2011 through Warner Music both locally and internationally, establishes Kimbra as a significant talent. A fresh, exciting voice in today’s music industry.
SYNOPSIS
Her lead single, Settle Down, still remains the perfect introduction to Kimbra, taking out the top position in the Pop Catgeory of the International Song writing Competition. A rhythmic assembly of vocal textures, handclaps, jazzy flourishes, funk-indebted textures and a ballooning song structure which frames that voice with an escapist lyric about domesticity. “I wanna raise a child/won’t you raise a child with me?” cleverly questions the idea of “ laying your life on this illusive ideal of married life,” handily introducing the themes of Vows concerning promises and attachment.
Follow-up single Cameo Lover is “a call back to embrace love again” to someone who’s become disconnected and retreated into isolation. A colourful anthem to “open up your heart” against a chorus that explodes like confetti while showcasing a Motown-worthy sing-along of brassy energy and punchy vocal loops.
The shimmering Two Way Street follows, written after a stroll down Hollywood boulevard, and viewing it as a metaphor for love. The stuttered pianos and downward progression of the verse convey a lovelorn desire before the glittering chorus of starry-eyed keys are placated by a gorgeous string arrangement. Retaining an emotional core as its keen melodic hooks sink deep.
Old Flame, written during the same American sojourn, nostalgically rues the question of dousing those old fires that still burn internally. Its slow-burn matched by a lazily patient build of warm synths and unique drum sounds, it’s sparse palette inspired by Prince’s eighties balladry.
We’ve all heard the old justificatio
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