Cameo Cover

Though one would forgive Kimbra Johnson for sounding a little less than fresh after another monumentally hectic year, the New Zealand born Melburnian is remarkably animated and eager to begin her Australian summer festival season. With international attention showing no signs of abating following the American release of her debut album Vows and the continued triumphs of her Gotye duet in mind, the pop princess reflects on the events of 2012.

“Oh golly, I don't know where to start! Well since Big Day Out which was in January, we've played over 100 shows around the world; we've toured the United States three times this year and twice around parts of Europe…” Johnson says, not to mention an Australian tour and a slot at Coachella. “I mean it was such an iconic festival and I got up to sing that song with Gotye and I didn't even hear myself singing it was just such a – [it was] like we were The Beatles or something, everyone was just screaming so loud! I've never been in that kind of situation, it was amazing. But you know, probably the biggest moment for us was this last tour we did of the States. It was the first time headlining our own shows and to have so many people come along, you know selling out two nights at Webster Hall in New York, selling out two nights in LA, and all throughout America – it was just like, I dunno, that was a big moment for us.

“Some of the highlights for me have just been like meeting idols of mine and people that I've dreamed of meeting with or collaborating with that's starting to look like possibilities. Like I was joined by Ben Weinman in New York who's the guitarist of The Dillinger Escape Plan – they're this metal band that I used to listen to in high school,” Johnson giggles, “and you know, I never would have dreamed that he would be joining me onstage for like a guitar solo but we got to do that. And meeting people like Mike Patton and St. Vincent… It's just really special because they've been an influence on your own music and then to know that they're also fans and would like to work with you at some point is quite an honour.”

Whilst Johnson's follow up to Vows is one of the most hotly anticipated records of 2013, the 22-year-old feels no burden of expectation, instead taking time to enjoy her creative exploration and the opportunities of her status.

“It's one of those things where if you start to let the pressure get to you, it just starts stunting the creative process. I mean I've had some really great advice from people in the industry which I feel very lucky for – most recently it's [been] Mike Patton, getting to know him a bit more. I met him in San Francisco through Dan the Automator, a producer that I've started working with as well, and he said the same kind of thing – that these moments where you do hit a jackpot in terms of a song that is successful, you never see it coming and it's never something that you really work at and kind of feel immediately. It's often you're just doing what you've always done and suddenly it just resonates you know, and so the moment that you start forcing or pushing these things it can kind of become contrived. Just that freedom of walking into a studio and being like, let's just go where my heart is leading me and go where I feel excited you know, and the result from that is work that has conviction because you feel what you're doing and you're not too kind of concerned with where it's going to end up or how it's going to feature on this or that – it's just about the instinctive spontaneity of going with that feeling. It's easier said than done, there are moments when it's difficult to keep that child-like approach to music, but I'm definitely doing my best,” Johnson admits.

With label-mate Patton established as a go-to guy for advice on artistic integrity, their conversation turned to Lovage. Released in 2001, Music To Make To Your Old Lady By is the sole release of the Dan the Automator-produced studio project featuring a seriously hot exchange of vocals between Patton and Jennifer Charles on a base of late-night trip hop beats.

“…He's thinking about making another one next year and he kind of quietly asked me if I'd be interested perhaps to be a part of it at some point and I was like, 'ummmm, yep!'” she says excitedly of the possibility. “You know I guess I'll see what happens. He kinda, he put it out there and he was like, 'You know, we don't know what's happening yet but if you were up for it we are looking for female vocals and stuff'. So I mean, exactly, I'm a huge fan of all his albums, and Mr Bungle, and it would be such a buzz to work with someone like that.”

As 2012 closes with the news of two Grammy nominations for Somebody That I Used To Know, Johnson is flattered to have also been honoured at the highest level with best female artist wins at both the Australian Recording Industry Awards and the New Zealand Music Awards.

“It's amazing; it's just a really nice way to finish up the year for me you know in a more sentimental sense, just to have that acknowledgement of the hard work. Like I said we've worked really hard this year and when it's been honoured by both New Zealand and Australia, that means a lot to me especially as Australia was the place where that album kind of came to life and New Zealand of course was where everything started and so both countries have played a really strong role in everything, and to kind of have that affirmation from people in the industry or whatever, you know to sort of say like, 'Yeah we think the album has connected and done something good for music right now' – yeah it's just a nice way to end it all off and know that you've done something right…” she laughs.

“I've been excited to get back to Australia and do festivals – they have quite a distinct energy to them, the Australian festivals compared to American ones – so yeah it will be really fun. And I'm just looking forward to bringing some of the new songs to Australia as well – not new new songs, but as in ones that were on the American album which we've never played in Australia. So it will be quite a different set for people who've seen us before which yeah, will be fun for everyone.”

Kimbra will be playing the following dates:

Monday 31 December - Summadayze, Rymill Park, Adelaide SA
Tuesday 1 January - Summadayze, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne VIC
Sunday 6 January - Summadayze, Patersons Stadium, Subiaco WA