New Zealand singer-songwriter Kimbra Johnson (known mononymously as Kimbra) recently wrapped up a US tour in support of her fourth studio album, 'A Reckoning'.
She's also embarked on a handful of New Zealand shows, with Australian appearances fast coming up on her agenda. Thus far the reception to her latest collection has been positive and supportive."It's felt really great to be back in a space that I feel very free in," Kimbra says. "I feel like I get to express myself better there than I do day to day. Melody, sound, textures, it's where I feel at home.
"It was great to see the response from fans – I think they loved to see how the songs translated live.
"It's a very personal record, a very dynamic record; it goes from really big chaotic bold moments to very sparse, minimal, intimate, vulnerable moments.
"So it's really fun to take the crowd on a journey like that. That's the point of a live performance, right? You want to go through something with the artist and leave differently.
"I feel like we achieved that with these shows, the set is exciting to watch and the songs have a lot of impact in the live space and work well in that context."
When reading the comments on Kimbra's social media in response to her US shows, there's a roll-on effect. As Kimbra was posting about a forthcoming show here or there, someone would comment their praises for the show that had taken place in their town, affirming Kimbra's live shows to be a spectacular event.
Being her music, Kimbra has her own perception of how she should deliver the titillating tones of her music. But as to whether she gauges an audience from place to place and adjusts her delivery accordingly, Kimbra mulls it over.
"I always give everything I have," she says, thinking, "that's one thing I'll definitely stick to in a performance.
"It's important to me that every show feels like the last. It comes from the deepest place of who I am. In saying that, I think the audience are very much part of the show.
"You watch how they move; you watch how they respond to certain things, and it gives you an idea of how far out you can take things.
"If they are in a more mellow space, I will spend more time talking about things, if they're a but more of a hype crowd, you power through the set – yes, you do feel out the room and adapt things to the general energy of the space.
"I think that's the art of performance. It's about living and breathing with the crowd and make every performance feel new; that's important to me. That every time it's a new revelation of my artistry."
In the spirit of performance revelations, Kimbra has her debut show at the Sydney Opera House forthcoming.
Her tenure is nothing to be trivialised, and performing at such a prestigious venue comes as part of Kimbra's awe at the opportunities still being presented to her at this stage in her career. "I don't think I'm owed anything," Kimbra says.
"There are so many hardworking musicians out there that it takes so long for them to get these kinds of platforms. I'm absolutely still in awe of the opportunities I get given, you take it as a sign of respect.
"Especially this long into my career it feels really great, because it's not always easy to sustain the output of records and touring for a decade or longer.
"To feel like Australia is still a big market for me, being the people that gave me a platform, it's really special when you come back and get to play such prestigious theatres. I think it's where my music really shines best, being on those stages. I feel very lucky."
That sense of prestige, in some capacity, carries over to Kimbra's billing at Open Season in Brisbane.
"It's so exciting when you get to play alongside artists who really influenced you. That's another feeling of like, 'Wow, not only do I get to perform at this amazing venue, but I get to perform alongside people who have been formative in my own work'.
"For example Thundercat being on the billing, he was an integral part of my second album, and co-wrote the songs with Daniel Johns from Silverchair who was a big part of making that album. I'm really excited Weyes Blood is part of [Open Season] as well, because she's amazing.
"It definitely adds to the general sense of being a part of something that people are stepping into – they're getting the experience of not just you, but they're coming to experience a wealth of acts that are brining something special.
"Having Indigenous acts on the bill it makes you feel you're a part of something culturally, and that element that's a cross section of what's relevant in society right now and what's exciting for people. It's not just like a one-off gig, you're part of an experience for people."
Kimbra 2023 Tour Dates
Fri 26 May - Vivid Live @ Sydney Opera HouseWed 31 May - Princess Theatre (Brisbane)
Fri 2 Jun - Melbourne Recital Hall
