I’ll admit that when it comes to music in Australia, Canberra is a music scene that is typically overlooked.
Which is a shame, because that’s where most folks got to experience the rise of Kim Yang.
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Kim’s formative musical years saw a brush with fame by way of an impressive appearance on Taiwan’s Super Idol TV show. However, after relocating to Australia to professionally study music, Kim revisited the world of performing by way of busking in the streets of Canberra, eventually releasing a batch of recordings into the world.
Following support slots for a run of local acts such as Josh Pyke, Ben Lee, Katie Noonan, and more, Kim’s impressive foray with widespread attention preceded a move to Beijing in 2023, where she continued her musical journey on a global scale.
In early May, Kim will release her debut album, the stellar Turn On The Lights. It’s an album that is a true pleasure to listen to, with Kim’s penchant for curating an intimate, comforting mood with her music underpinned by her innate ability to showcase a sense of vulnerability and humanity in her lyrics.
With lyrical themes focusing on identity, purpose, fear, and anxiety, while also drawing on her own journey through self-doubt, discovery, and acceptance, it’s an album you would do very well to listen to.
This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Kim ahead of the release of her album, and it was a true pleasure to learn more about her musical journey, and approach to her craft.
Anyway, have a listen to Kim Yang’s Turn On The Lights when it arrives on May 7th, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.
Kim Yang’s Trusty Chords
Kim’s One Influential Artist
- Bon Iver
Kim’s Three Impactful Albums
- Bon Iver – Bon Iver, Bon Iver (2011)
- Angie McMahon – Light, Dark, Light Again (2023)
- Joni Mitchell – Blue (1971)
Kim’s Five Trusty Songs
- Bon Iver – ‘Perth’ (2011)
- Joni Mitchell – ‘River’ (1971)
- Goo Goo Dolls – ‘Iris’ (1998)
- Angie McMahon – ‘Fireball Whiskey’ (2023)
- Vera Blue – ‘Hold’ (2015)