Music Series #3 - Kimbra "Settle Down" "Withdraw"
I wanted to write about Kimbra next, after writing about FKA Twigs, because Kimbra is the other artist that my long lost friend David introduced me to, and it would be more meaningful to tie the two together because of the correlation, for me personally anyway.
I was introduced to Kimbra one day back in February or March of 2012 while talking to David. We happened to be talking about Joseph Kony, and the whole marketing thing (Kony2012) that happened around the controversy.
We were talking about the video on YouTube and somehow (like always) the conversation turned to music. He mentioned that he had found this awesome show that puts its content on YouTube. It's a radio station in Australia called Triple J. And they had this segment ran by two guys called "Like A Version." Essentially Like a Version has artists come on the show and do covers of other artists' songs. If anyone hasn't heard of it before I encourage them to check it out. There are some epic performances.
He told me he discovered a singer from New Zealand on the show and he was 'going to marry her someday so don't even think of trying anything,' lol. He was absolutely smitten. He told me to look up 'Kimbra - Two Weeks/Head Over Heels' on YouTube. For anyone not familiar with amazing 80's music, "Two Weeks" is a hit done by the Grizzly Bears; and "Head Over Heels" is done by the one and only Tears for Fears. <3
Kimbra seemlessly smashes the two songs together and hints at her ability to use a Voice Touch and her own voice to make the music composition and the background vocals she sings to. Not to mention how breathtakingly stunning she is and how beautifully her mouth and body moves when she is in the music.
It was LOVE at first sight.
Imagine watching that video and being jealous that your bestie hypothetically 'claimed' her imaginary betrothal to him. HAHA. That is how stunning and entrancing she is. And that was only a cover video. I immediately dropped everything and went on an hours long Kimbra listening/watching session. I was hypnotized. She is so unique and for the life of me I cannot figure out why she is not ADELE level huge. She is one of the most amazing singers/songwriters I have ever heard!! Her talent is underestimated!!
Imagine being one of the most amazing musicians in the world and you're known as 'the chick in that Gotye video.'
She only got better with every song I heard and video I watched. "Settle Down" is an amazing song that she never does the same way live twice. And that is her trademark Voice Touch song. The coolest version I have heard to date is not the official, but the SXSW version she did several years ago live.
I have fallen in love with pretty much every song she has ever done, and most of her collaborations. She does an amazing collaboration called "Warrior" with Foster the People. She sings on John Legend's song "Made to Love" and doesn't even really get credit!! And of course the only place anyone who knows her from usually, Gotye's "Somebody I Used to Know."
One of my favorite collections of Kimbra's is a series of YouTube videos called the 'Sing Sing Sessions,' done and Sing Sing studio in Melbourne, Australia. Such raw versions of some of her best songs. And as always, she is beautiful and stunning and the music flows through her.
"Withdraw" though. THAT is my favorite Kimbra song.
Initially when you hear Withdraw you think that she is talking about a lover she holds higher than her other lovers, and in that alone the song is strong and emotional. When you listen closer though, you realize she is talking about God, and talking to God. It's then that you listen to every lyric and feel entranced as each word begins to hold more meaning and depth. I fell in love with Withdraw twice. Once, because there's always the love of your life that you hold above the rest; perhaps your first love, or one you lost. Twice, because - damn - my faith is strong and it has gotten me through some dark moments in my life and sometimes it has caused its own pain, but your faith or spirituality or mantra, whatever GOD each individual lives by, is unique and strongly personal. For some reason this song is hard to find. It was supposed to be on her Vows album, but it is getting harder to find. My favorite version is the one above; the one she does for Billboard Tastemakers Sessions Series.
O - K ! I gushed a little bit and posted a few more videos than I planned to, but those who hang in there, read, and watch and listen will be rewarded. Music is all about how it hits you…and this girl smacks me in the face and heart from all sides.
Her music is my favorite to sing. I love emulating her style and adding it to my own. She is priceless. <3
Enjoy ~