Kimbra

the bell talks to Kimbra about all things music and her debut record Vows, 

It’s not often that a musician’s sound or even style strikes you as entirely unique. These days’ popular artists are the products of major record labels, prepackaged against a tried and tested method. Think about it, Lady Gaga is merely a reincarnation of Madonna with the added interest of raw meat.

Thankfully there are some musicians that seem to bridge the divide between the old and new to come remarkably close to that elusive trait known as originality. One of those rare talents is Kimbra whose debut record Vows is a stunningly beautiful blend of pop, jazz and soul. If this isn't enough, her pure vocals seem to flawlessly carry each song and leave the listener with something to remember.

We love how your arrangements don’t seem to subscribe to any one genre. Are there any secrets behind your breathtaking originality?

I think the key for me has been listening to as much music and as wide a range as possible. That way you are constantly learning and being influenced by different approaches to music. At high school I started listening to a lot of experimental bands, and started gravitating towards interesting chord progressions or time signatures and that all starts to influence your songwriting over time. I also just try to stay truthful not over think the whole thing too much! I’ve always loved this quote by CS Lewis on the topic of originality: 'Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring two pence how often is has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.'

After three years of hard work Vows is now on the brink of release, what was the best thing about the entire process?

All that I learned from the people I worked with. I now understand the process of music production and feel confident arranging songs on my own – these skills have been so crucial to my growth. Although it has been a long process, I needed that time to actually solidify my sound and grow with the music. The collaborations are always the most revelatory – when someone helps bring something to the surface that you never knew existed.

Given the album title is there a continuing theme or line that ties the songs together?

When I listened back to all the songs of the album, I found the idea of making and breaking promises a very strong theme throughout a lot of the songs. The word ‘vow’ can be related relationships but it can also be relevant in a spiritual sense or just in the way we make promises to ourselves and decide what we will commit to throughout our lives. It felt like an appropriate title to introduce a very strong thread throughout the album.

How does it feel knowing that people all across the world are loving and listening to your music (Turkey included!)?

It’s really encouraging and humbling. You never know where a song will end up when you write it and to hear that someone on the other side of the world from a completely different culture has connected and resonated with your music will always be a wonderful feeling. It’s such a gift to be able to communicate to people on a global scale (as music can) so I feel very lucky to be a part of that.

Internationally your videos for Settle Down and Cameo Lover have also turned heads. Do you look forward to the creativity involved in producing a film clip?

It’s actually really refreshing for me to be able to get my head out of the music space and into the visual side of things! All the videos thus far have been a real collaborative process with my director Guy Franklin and it is really exciting to be a part of that element which is so crucial to the music. I see it as another extension of the world and experience of this album for people, so it’s really fun being involved in the concepts and of course picking the fun outfits!

Just for fun, if you could take to the stage with any artists (alive or dead) who would they be? 

That’s a toughie! But I would kill to sneak a moment in the spotlight with Prince. 

 Kimbra's Vows will be released early September just before embarking on a national tour to promote the new record - of course all the details on the gig guide.