Much like Madonna and Cher, Kimbra Lee Johnson is now known by her singular first name. This New Zealand singer has taken over the airwaves with the multi-platinum single "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye.
While she has toured with him and Foster the People as an opening act, she is now breaking out as a headliner playing her debut album, Vows, live.
Windy City Times caught up to her on the road before she arrived in concert at the Metro.
Windy City Times: Hi, Kimbra. Where in the world are you calling in from?
Kimbra: I am in Germany and tomorrow night I play Cologne.
WCT: I saw you open for Foster the People at the Congress Theater in Chicago. I liked that colorful hoodie you wore.
Kimbra: Oh, you liked that? Thank you.
WCT: I heard you went shopping at Beatnix on Halsted when you were in town opening for Gotye one time.
Kimbra: Really? I don't normally do that.
WCT: It is in Boystownour gayborhood.
Kimbra: I remember it now. There were lots of good thrifty items there.
WCT: Your first album is called Vows. You added bonus tracks for the U.S. release, I noticed.
Kimbra: Yes, that's right. We had about five or six new tracks. We had a lot of material to add in. I wanted to add stuff for the American audience because I wanted to keep it fresh. I was in a different place than when I first started making that record.
WCT: Did you think the song "Somebody I Used To Know" was going to be a huge monster hit?
Kimbra: I didn't see it coming to be honest. It defies so many pop formulas, structurally and sonically. It doesn't seem like what is on the charts at the moment so to see it creeping up with Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber was crazy to me! I knew it was a song that would connect with people with the intensity of it. I have been a fan of Gotye for such a long time. I don't think it was his intent for it to become that big so it was a surprise for both of us.
WCT: How did you connect with him to make the song?
Kimbra: I worked with a producer that he also worked with named Francois Tetaz. Francois introduced us. I was telling him that I loved his work. It was a few years later that I was asked to sing on the song.
WCT: Let's talk about some of songs. "Settle Down" seems like a stripped-down opening track.
Kimbra: It is a simple song with a lot of layers to it. I was only 16 at the time when I wrote it. I wanted something I could play live and get the landscape going. I was very inspired at the time and it was even simpler when I first wrote it. It was later produced with more guitars and even some hip-hop influence in it. We definitely added some glitter and drama to it.
WCT: My new favorite song is "Cameo Lover," and I have been watching the video.
Kimbra: Cool, thank you.
WCT: It sounds very retro.
Kimbra: Yeah, I wanted to go back to the '60s era. There are a lot of layers to it and it is fresh sounding.
WCT: Who influences you with your style and clothing?
Kimbra: I am just getting into fashion now. I have always been a thrifty kind of girl, which is why I was shopping in Chicago. I am always trying to find a funky outfit that I can wear onstage. I enjoy the challenge of having ten dollars and trying to create something or re-imagine an outfit.
Recently, I have been collaborating with designers. I love Jamie Lee from Australia. There are some labels from America that I like. Fashion is something I am just learning about like Jean Paul Gaultier, who I think is just amazing. It is about self-expression. I have never been caught up with super-high-end clothing. I like street styles from Japan and looking at all of the fashion blogs. I get inspired by the clash of patterns and splash of colors that you see on the streets of Tokyo. That is something that I enjoy.
WCT: When I saw you I thought, "That is somebody I want to know!" Who are artists in your iPod?
Kimbra: I have been listening to a lot indie music lately. I like that it is entirely something different to listen to.
I love St. Vincent's new collaboration with David Byrne called "Who" and I think there is a whole album coming out. I think Janelle Monae is an exciting new artist. I dig the new Frank Ocean record.
At 15 and 16 years old, I was listening to Japanese bands and experimental punk rock because it was very exciting to me with the percussion and interesting time signatures. I wanted to them to incorporate it into the pop music that I enjoyed. I try to have as much music variation as possible so I can create my own stuff.
Visit www.kimbramusic.com for up-to-date information and try www.metrochicago.com for tickets for her show at 3730 N. Clark S. on Wed., Oct. 17.