Kimbra
Kimbra
Kimbra Lee Johnson, known mononymously as Kimbra, is a New Zealand recording artist who mixes pop with classic R&B, jazz and rock musical elements. Her musical influences range from Prince and soul singer Minnie Riperton, to Björk and Jeff Buckley. Her debut album, Vows, was released in Australia in 2011. Singles from the album include "Settle Down", "Cameo Lover", "Good Intent" and "Two Way Street"...
NationalityNew Zealander
ProfessionPop Singer
Date of Birth27 March 1990
CityHamilton, New Zealand
All my album artwork is body painting.
My process is to be by myself when I record. It's quite an emotional performance to pull off when someone else is in the room. I prefer to go away and have my own time with it, bring it in later.
America is definitely something I'm pretty excited about.
I'm turning 22, so I want to start getting into work that reflects where I'm at in life now.
There's a vulnerability in music but you've also got to protect your sacred place and have a place you can still retire to that no one else knows about. So that's a thing I just try to balance.
Just try to keep the heart turned outward, as well as having moments inward.
Obviously I don't really go to church any more - no time.
I do like the idea of pulling in different producers to get new perspectives. That's what I did with Vows and I feel it just gives variety and makes for a more exciting journey for the listener.
I haven't stopped writing which is good. I'm scared to stop completely otherwise it might lead to stagnancy.
I feel far more connected to the whole band if I can somehow physically respond... with my body.
Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.
It feels like it's just starting in America and the UK. It's great to have a loyal fanbase in Australia and New Zealand. People in America say how polished our band are, but that didn't happen overnight; that came from doing all this touring back home.
I moved from New Zealand to Melbourne when I was 17. I'd planned to go to university to study French, but I was offered a contract to write and record an album that was too good to pass up. Looking back now I think that was pretty young but, at the time, I was ready to have an adventure.
Contemplation: I read a lot of books on philosophy and religion, and try to keep always growing in that part of my life, because without having a spiritual grounding, I think you can get really swayed by the winds of all the praise or the criticism; it's all very, kind of, up and down. Try to stay up and focused.