Kimbra out to reunite with local singer Charlie Lim
Kiwi singer Kimbra plans to catch up with old pal, local singer Charlie Lim, on her next visit here
If there is one thing Kiwi singer Kimbra is looking forward to when she returns to Singapore next month for her first full-length concert, it's the chance to enjoy a hearty spread of local fare and a reunion with an old pal.
When she was last here in 2013 to perform at the Laneway Festival, her good friend, local singer-songwriter Charlie Lim, treated her to a sampling of local dishes and took her sightseeing.
The pair had met several years ago in Melbourne, Australia. Lim was a student and Kimbra had relocated there from New Zealand in 2008.
He also helped to house-sit her apartment when she was on a Los Angeles tour.
During that time, he had access to her home studio and ended up crafting music that made its way to his double EP Time/Space, which was released last month.
HAWKER FOOD
Kimbra, 25, whose real name is Kimbra Johnson, told M in a telephone interview yesterday from New York City where she is now based: "He took me to eat seafood and hawker food. I remember we had satay, which I liked a lot, and chicken rice.
"I also visited some temples and went to the top of a hotel shaped like a boat (Marina Bay Sands)."
Her fondest memories of Singapore, said Kimbra, were of "good food and good people".
Recalling her set at Laneway, she said: "I remember playing with some of my friends like (Australian psychedelic rock act) Tame Impala. I remember my own set very vividly, I performed a different version of my song Settle Down... The crowd was great and very interactive. I can't wait to be back, for sure."
When she hits the stage for her own solo gig, Lim, 26, will be her opening act.
"I am so excited to perform with him. He is such a talented artist and a wonderful person, a really good sport," she said.
For those who still pigeonhole the dynamic artist as "that woman" on Australian singer Gotye's 2011 hit Somebody That I Used To Know, it is time to get with the programme.
Kimbra, who released her well-received second album The Golden Echo last year, has been making a name for herself on her own merits.
The talented musician has met industry bigwigs like veteran musicians Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones, and has collaborated with artists like R&B crooner Miguel and DJ-producer Skrillex.
Kimbra said she counts herself "extremely blessed".
"With Stevie Wonder, it doesn't get any bigger than that. These are people who inspire me to make music and I'm so lucky," she gushed.
But she's keeping mum about whether she will be coming up with something new with any of her musician buddies.
"I can't reveal that! When we meet, we have so many ideas that we bounce off each other so I hope we have time to finish something exciting soon," she said.
THE GATHERING WITH KIMBRA
When Aug 12, 7pm
Where Boutique, Orchard Plaza Level 5
Tickets $88 from tickets.eventclique.com/thegathering or $100 at the door
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