JFF - Born This Way, Kids of 88 Remix

Kids of 88 (great name guys!) are another solid indie POP act to hail from New Zealand. This duo caught my attention back in 2010 with their teen-friendly (aka: horny) anthem Just A Little Bit, which would have been my jam at age 16 after hearing it on the CW (sheesh, back in my day, it was still the WB).  Not surprisingly, Just A Little Bit was later featured on MTV's Teen Wolf.

But Kids of 88 have potential to expand beyond a limited tween fanbase.  My proof: GaGa is a tough act to remix, but these boys pull it off with style. Their remix of Born This Way, below, demonstrates a true ear for sound - featuring a fun fusion of afrobeat, new wave, and pretty damn danceable disco.  Check it out.

In case you don't have it in your iTunes collection yet, click here to subscribe for a free download of their punchy 2009 single My House. 

Kids of 88 just announced that they will be releasing their second studio album later this year.  We're pleased!  And hey, since Lady GaGa will be playing Auckland, New Zealand in June, maybe Kids of 88 will get to meet her & do some more remixes! (we can wish)

Unapologetically,

Minna

Kiwi Power POP: KIMBRA

And now for more big talent from little New Zealand - & she goes by the name of Kimbra.

Kimbra Johnson is her name & "whimsical soul POP" is her game.  She has all the ingredients of a sensation; Kimbra combines jazz chords with catchy pop hooks for a signature sound that is simultaneously timeless & fresh.  Some comparisons have been made to Amy Winehouse and Florence Welsh, but I hear more of a female Pop Levi with a dash of experimental Emilie Simon & cutsie She + Him.

The best introduction to Kimbra's sound comes in her delightfully fun first single, Cameo Lover, my favorite song from the debut album.  In her music video, the fresh-faced lady is peppy, poised, and palatable.  But Kimbra is not only a performer - she is a writer.  Kimbra's prodigious and intricate lyricism is evident on her third single, the suave & spirited Good Intent:

"Out to feed that habit when you've sowed that seed/
Nothing made you feel out of the ordinary/
But the air turns somber and the night took heed/
Took you on a waltz of hypocrisy."

Kimbra's debut album, Vows, deals with the themes of promises and interpersonal attachments.  Her savory vocals stand out on Old Flame, a beautiful tune that any Nina Simone fan would love.  Kimbra's voice is sultry and her content mature - quite striking for a girl who just hit her 20s.

Aside from Vows, Kimbra's work with other artists also put her on the map - notably on I Look To You, a collaboration with Australian indie POP group Miami Horror, and the chart-topping single Somebody That I Used to Know with Gotye.  She is now based in Melbourne, Australia, and is focusing on touring.  Head on over to her Facebook Page for more information - & if you are in Australia, maybe you can even catch a gig!  In the meantime, check out Vows on iTunes.

Kimbra is teetering on the edge of an international breakthrough.  Her music video for Settle Down was recently featured as iTunes Music Video of the Week in the US and she continually receives oodles of love all over the blogosphere.  Her savory vocals, knack for melody, and ripe age of 21 assure her future musical success.  She is not only "one to watch," she is one to grow up with.

Kimbra, you are most definitely a Kiwi Power POP artist - keep it coming!

Unapologetically,

Minna

Kiwi Power POP: ZOWIE

I have found that little ol' New Zealand never quite gets the love it deserves.  The general public seems to only know New Zealand as the backdrop for Lord of the Rings (not to mention the musical & comedic genius behind Flight of the Conchords) - but what of the lesser known Kiwi stars?  Why don't they get some appreciation too?

I'm on a personal little mission to change this.  In my next few posts I want to introduce our audience to some very worthy Kiwi Power POP stars, starting with the fun, funky and fabulous Miss Zowie!

Zowie is the name of Zoe Fleury, a drummer, singer-songwriter, & all around supergirl.  Zowie, an alter-ego of sorts, grew out Fleury's original musical character Bionic Pixie in Auckland, New Zealand.  Zoe Fleury studied contemporary music at MAINZ (the Musical and Audio Institute of New Zealand) & grew up in a very musical environment, as her father performed in a band.

Zowie's music is unique, quirky, synthpunk POP, fit for lovers of anyone from Karen O to Ke$ha.  A truly creative chick, Zoe is intimately involved in every aspect of her performance art; she designs nearly all her outfits with her good friend and fashionista Serena Fagence & finds musical inspiration from a variety of sources, including Michael Jackson & time travel.  And girlfriend's got big talent along with style!  Give a good listen to Smash It  & you will see that Zowie has it all: big beats, hand-claps & chant-alongs in a Kiwi Power package. 

Just to insert a personal anecdote here - as a graduate of History I am familiar with the work of Zoe Fleury’s grandfather, a historian of Sikh culture whom I greatly admire (but I won’t bore you with a list of my favorite historians right now!).  Unbeknownst to many, being a historian & author is a very creative process.  With the influence of her father and of her grandfather, is it any wonder that Zowie is creative artist in her own right?  I think not!

Thankfully, the past two years have been good for Zowie. In 2010, Zowie's first single, Broken Machine, reached #9 on the New Zealand charts.  By 2011, she accompanied Mark Ronson and Katy Perry on their Australasian tours.  She even caught the attention of MTV!  Finally, my absolute favorite song by Zowie, Smash It, was featured on Pretty Little Liars . So exciting!

This POP starletis on the rise. We can't wait for her 2012 debut!  If you're as excited as we are, check out more of Zowie's music on iTunes .

Zowie, we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.  We're gonna jump on that vessel to the year 3000 with you, girl.  Kiwi power!

Unapologetically,

Minna