Kimbra New Zealand singer Date of Birth: 28.03.1990 Country: New Zealand

Biography of Kimbra

Kimbra, the New Zealand singer, was the musical discovery of 2011 in New Zealand. However, she quickly gained recognition beyond the country and soon became known worldwide as a talented performer. Kimbra Lee Johnson Zottola was born in 1990 in Hamilton, New Zealand, one of the country's largest cities. Her father, Ken Johnson, worked as the chief physician at the University of Waikato's Student Health Center, one of the most renowned universities in New Zealand. Kimbra attended Hillcrest High School, and although her surroundings had no connection to music, she began writing songs at the age of 10. At 12 years old, her father, recognizing her passion, gifted her a guitar and she started performing her own songs effortlessly and without any inhibitions. Kimbra's first music video was recorded for the children's show 'What Now,' and the song was titled 'Smile.' While still in school, she diligently worked to establish herself in the music scene. She auditioned multiple times for talent competitions until she finally participated in one and won a prize. Notably, when Kimbra was 12 years old, she had the opportunity to perform the national anthem at a university sports event, where she was heard by an audience of 27,000 people. In 2007, at the age of 17, she won the Juice TV music video contest with her video for 'Simply on My Lips,' which led to her first contract and a move to Australia. While working on material for her debut album, Kimbra began performing in Australia with her concert band. In 2010, she released her first single, 'Settle Down,' which immediately charted in New Zealand and gained attention online. It is known that the American blogger Perez Hilton spoke favorably about her, comparing the young New Zealander to Nina Simone, Bjork, and 'Florence and the Machine.' In early 2011, Kimbra's song 'Cameo Lover' made it to the shortlist of the '2011 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition.' Her collaboration with Australian-Belgian indie rock musician Gotye on the song 'Somebody That I Used to Know' became a major hit in Europe, reaching number one in more than 20 countries. However, some believe that after this joint project, Kimbra will struggle to step out of Gotye's shadow. Nevertheless, as time has shown, she continues to make successful strides on her own. Kimbra's debut album, 'Vows,' was released in August 2011 and quickly topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand. She was later named 'Best Female Artist' in Australia and received the 'Critics' Choice' award in her homeland of New Zealand. Kimbra's style is a mix of alt-pop, soul, and jazz. She is not afraid to take bold and experimental approaches, and her melodies are intricate, with unexpected vocal twists. Currently, her concert band includes bassist and sampler Fagan Wilcox, guitarist and vocalist Timon Martin, drummer Stevie McQuinn, and keyboardist and vocalist Ben Davey. Besides her undeniable vocal talent, Kimbra's colorful appearance sets her apart - she is a vibrant brunette who embraces unexpected styles and doesn't strive for a glamorous look, instead forging her own unique style.