Following in the footsteps of her duet partner Gotye who has taken the United States by storm, Kimbra is making a mark of her own as her reworked album Vows makes its debut overnight on the Billboard charts at an impressive #14.
The incredible debut by the New Zealand born singer puts her just a little off Gotye, who’s Making Mirrors album currently resides at #7.
But both are still sitting as king and queen of the US charts, for a song we probably don’t even have to name, you know… the one that’s been dominating the US charts, is the most streamed song in Europe and ranks among YouTube’s most watched songs of all-time, at over 200 million views.
That song, ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’, has now officially managed to hold on to to an incredible seventh week atop the single charts, which to put into perspective, is probably totally unprecedented for an Australian song.
Previous Australian songs that have managed to conquer the US single charts, such as Savage Garden’s ‘Truly Madly Deeply’ and ‘I Knew I Loved You’, managed to only stay in the top spot for three weeks.
“It means a lot to have my album recognised in America at this level,” said Kimbra on hearing of her own chart success.
“It’s been an amazing experience to see it all come into fruition especially after the time, energy and effort it took to complete. I’m now really excited to be touring the US and sharing these songs with people one on one, it’s cathartic to have them transcend from being my experiences to now being someone else’s.”
“This result reflects the effort and the undeniable quality of Kimbra, and the resources Outpost Management with WBR have committed to the VOWS album,” added Mark Richardson from Kimbra’s management team.
“Kimbra has had such an amazing year with her success in Australia and New Zealand, the global success of Gotye’s single Somebody That I Used to Know and now with her debut release in the USA and VOW’s chart entry at # 13.”
“This also highlights the talent we have in Australia and New Zealand and the impact these artists can have on the global music scene ……exciting times ,” he added.
Though Somebody That I Used To Know, no doubt introduced Kimbra to the Americans, she had already been collaborating with some of its top-shelf talent.
Working in the studio with the likes of soul star John Legend, superstar Dr. Dre producer Mike Elizondo and Greg Kurstin of The Bird And The Bee; who’s rubbed shoulders with The Flaming Lips most recently.
Kimbra also became quite chummy with Mark Foster of Foster The People, leading to a subsequent support slot on their American tour and a three-way creative partnership with A-Trak on a track for Converse called ‘Warrior.’
To celebrate the release of her album, Kimbra played on late night show Jimmy Kimmel Live, where she also made her US television debut with Gotye all those months back.
Funny how things come full circle, especially given that Kimbra had the duet land in her lap after the original female vocalist pulled out.
But thanks to her raw talent and work ethic, Kimbra has well and truly earned every accolade and every inch of success she is now enjoying, and we bet that it tastes good.
You can watch her performance on Jimmy Kimmel below.
