In the week when Hamilton singer Kimbra entered the United States iTunes album chart at No3, another Hamilton-born artist has revealed she's also making musical waves Stateside.
Sarah Frances Johnston was born in Hamilton and spent the first two years of her life in Tokoroa before her family moved to Auckland and then to Samoa, where she discovered her love of singing "old school jazz".
The 21-year-old Kimbra fan also spent time living and singing in Tauranga before she made the move to Las Vegas, where she is currently earning NZ$400,000 a year performing as a torch singer in resorts, hotels and restaurants.
A torch song is a sentimental love song, typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited or lost love.
"I'm possibly getting my own show this year, a speakeasy show, where people get dressed up to come along and enjoy the entertainment.
"I'm more concerned that my customers are having a good time than I am."
Johnston said her biggest career highlight so far was when legendary guitarist Carlos Santana approached her after one of her performances.
"He basically walked over to my table and asked if he could sit down," she said.
"He spoke to me for 20 minutes."
Johnston said Santana told her they both shared "gifts from God" and that she should aim to "harpoon the hearts" of her listeners.
"Ever since then I've been so focused and blessed in my performances," she said.
She was pleased to have "done things differently" from other performers who she said headed straight for Los Angeles to try to break into the United States market.
Her Auckland-based parents, Kathryn and Stephen, and her younger siblings, Cole and Mia, were moving to Las Vegas later this year to support her career.
Johnston previously enjoyed a four-month stint acting on Shortland Street.
She has also done various other modelling and acting roles, but it is hitting the singing big time that she has set her sights on.
"My goal right now is to get a record contract. Before I come back to New Zealand I want to have something definite to make New Zealand proud.
"I'm a very proud Kiwi living in Las Vegas."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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