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Yeah, letting go - even just musically, aside from emotionally - I find that quite challenging. Knowing the right time for letting go of my album, for instance, was a really big challenge. Knowing when to put the red flags up and say, "It's done..." And also, emotionally, with relationships.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I like challenging people. I love pop music that can just throw you off.
Kimbra Lee Johnson
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When you work on an album for three and a half years, you're kind of ready for it to get out there. To have your songs reach people.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
But for me I think it's just about taking that time of reflection and contemplation. That's probably my process in every decision that I make: to make sure that I spend time just with myself, and really times of silence and mediation to go through that process; and music is a big part of that as well.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
Just try to keep the heart turned outward, as well as having moments inward.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I think the idea of being on stage and playing for people, and being able to inject a little bit of joy into their lives is a really exciting concept for me. That's definitely why I make music. It's never been for any kind of materialistic reasons, so that thought of being able to be up on stage, and being able to give something to someone in a moment of need for them - that gets me up in the morning; that really excites me.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
. The key to all of that is keeping hold of humility and keeping hold of the people around you, and making sure you stay grounded with your family and friends.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I started writing songs when I was 10. It was a natural way to express myself as a kid. It wasn't until I started listening to jazz, joined the choir and picked up a guitar that my little hobby became something far more serious.
Kimbra Lee Johnson
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All my album artwork is body painting.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
There's a vulnerability in music but you've also got to protect your sacred place and have a place you can still retire to that no one else knows about. So that's a thing I just try to balance.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I guess there might come a point when I will want to live an anonymous life. I'm only at the start of my career, so I'm sure that moment will come, but I know how blessed I am to have this platform on which to speak and influence.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
Just try to keep the heart turned outward, as well as having moments inward. I think the threat of an industry like this is that you can become sort of self-obsessed. There's so much praise being given to you - there's a real threat of exalting the ego.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I think 'SNL' is so well-known for its musical performances, as well, and people really breaking into America through a really great performance on there. So I think me and Gotye are both really excited to be amongst such company. You know, it's great.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I'm not very funny!
Kimbra Lee Johnson
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I want to be the kind of artist who keeps pushing on every album. I don't want to settle on a sound.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I'm turning 22, so I want to start getting into work that reflects where I'm at in life now.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
Music is my catharsis for that. It's an incredible blessing that I have this way of expressing myself through music and lyric, and I'm so grateful for that in moments of pain or of suffering - that I have this means of channeling it; it's really amazing. My band as well - having them around and being able to jump on stage and bond together and share that energy is really uplifting as well.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I'm so fascinated by the human longing for meaning. The way we relate romantically to each other is so much to do with our longing for meaning as well.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I have times when I doubt what I'm doing. When those moments hit, I think about how grateful I am to be able to do what I do every day. It was harder when I started because I didn't see the response, but now I'm out there playing for people and seeing them happy, which makes it all worthwhile.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
You can get really left of centre influences in mainstream pop. Michael Jackson and Prince are some of the most progressive artists ever if you actually dissect their songs there's some crazy stuff going on.
Kimbra Lee Johnson
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My process is to be by myself when I record. It's quite an emotional performance to pull off when someone else is in the room. I prefer to go away and have my own time with it, bring it in later.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
The fun of being in the pop world is you can really play with people's perceptions of what the word pop means.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
I moved from New Zealand to Melbourne when I was 17. I'd planned to go to university to study French, but I was offered a contract to write and record an album that was too good to pass up. Looking back now I think that was pretty young but, at the time, I was ready to have an adventure.
Kimbra Lee Johnson -
Obviously I don't really go to church any more - no time.
Kimbra Lee Johnson