Kiwi singer Kimbra's career is continuing to soar with her taking out the Grand Prize of the Nashville-based International Songwriting Competition.
"Even at such a young age, Kimbra already possesses the maturity and musical sophistication of the mavericks she is so often compared to - from vocal legends Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley, to radicals the likes of Prince, and contemporary artists such as Björk and Janelle Monaé," the jury wrote.
"With her distinctive vocals and hook-laden creative songwriting, Kimbra is rapidly establishing herself as a significant talent and a fresh and exciting new voice on the international music scene."
Candace Avery, the founder and director of ISC, said: "We first became aware of Kimbra in 2010 when she entered ISC and won First Place in the Pop/Top 40 category with her song Settle Down.
"At that time we knew she was one of those artists who had it. As a songwriter, her eclectic and somewhat quirky songwriting made her stand out. As an artist, she brings her songs to life with her her unique vocal styling and compelling stage presence. We are proud to have her as our 2011 Grand Prize winner."
The 22-year-old Hamilton raised singer tweeted she was "stoked" to receive the award. "Wow! Just found out I won Grand Prize of the International Songwriting Competition for 2012! So stoked!,"she wrote.
The prize, comes with US$25,000 in cash and and an additional US$25,000 in merchandise and services.
It is the third time the ISC's highest honour is being taken by a Kiwi: Moana Maniapoto was the recipient in 2003 and the then only 16-year-old Gin Wigmore won in 2004, becoming the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the history of the ISC.
Today's success consolidates New Zealand's rap for producing excellent songwriters, tying with the US for the most Grand Prize winners from a single country.
Kimbra is not the only Kiwi to be included in today's accolades. Southland export Annah Mac, who recently opened the show for boy-wonders One Direction, took out the first prize in the AAA (Adult Album Alternative) category, songwriter Opetaia Foa'I of the band Te Vaka was awarded second prize in the World Music category and Auckland songstress Ruby Frost scored the third place in the Pop/Top40 category.
The competition is said to have most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, including names like Tom Waits, Ozzy Osborne, Kelly Clarkson, Janelle Monaea and Lucinda Williams.
Kimbra has recently exploded onto the international music charts as the featured singer on Australian artist Gotye's current US #1 hit song, Somebody That I Used To Know. Her recent TV performances with Gotye on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Saturday Night Live introduced her to the US public, fortifying her meteoric rise to fame overseas.
Since starting out recording her own songs as a student on a small eight-track recorder borrowed from her school's music department she has made enormous strides in her career.
Her debut album, Vows, was released in 2011 in New Zealand and Australia, and in its first week of release the album charted at #3 in New Zealand and #5 in Australia (peaking at #4 on the ARIA Charts). The album will be released in the US and Canada on May 22.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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