Kids of 88

Kids of 88

Kids Of 88: Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy.
Background information
Origin Auckland City, New Zealand
Genres
Years active 2008-2013
Labels Dryden St / Sony Music Australia
Associated acts TNAF
Members Jordan Arts
Sam McCarthy

Kids of 88 are a New Zealand new wave duo based in Auckland, consisting of Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy. They are best known for their 2009 single, "My House". They have since signed through Dryden Street to Sony Music and released the album Sugarpills in August 2010. In 2014 the duo stated that 'the [Kids of 88] project has concluded.'

Members

History

2000–2009: Career beginnings and style

It is known that the two have been best friends for ten years. They attended St Peter's College, Auckland, where they formed the band Incursa, winning the 2004 Smokefreerockquest.[1] Sharing a passion for music, they decided to become musicians. The duo have described their music as "a cross between a late 80s police drama intro theme and a sophisticated super hussy. With sleazy basslines and mind-numbingly catchy hooks, Kids Of 88 are all about poking tongues and making sweaty suggestive innuendos."[2]

They cite their influences as "Groove, mood, and slutty arrangements. 16th hi hats and hand claps. Culture and couture, Gangster and glamour".[3]

McCarthy is also a member of the band Goodnight Nurse.

2010–2011: Sugarpills and extended play

In April 2010, Kids of 88 signed a worldwide record deal with Sony Music.[4]

On the back of their debut album release, Kids of 88 are set to tour New Zealand with fellow kiwi indie band The Naked and Famous, the tour will hit the four main centres of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin beginning 30 September.[5]

At the 2010 New Zealand Music Awards, Kids of 88 won 'Single of the Year' and (with Tim Van Dammen) 'Music Video of the Year' for their single "Just a Little Bit".[6]

In November 2010 they toured Australia and in December 2010 they headed to Europe to support Ke$ha on her tour.

In February 2011 they released an EP which included the track "Sugarpills" and 4 other new ones.

In July 2011 they released an extended Sugarpills version to Australia and the United States known as Sugarpills (Australian Edition) which includes the track Sugarpills and two new songs from the EP released into New Zealand in February.

On the 8 August 2011 episode of MTV's Teen Wolf entitled "Formality", they were featured as the live band performing at the Beacon Hills formal.[7] During their on screen set, they played "Just a Little Bit", "Ribbons of Light" and "Universe".[8]

2012: Modern Love

The second studio album, Modern Love[9] was released worldwide on 5 October 2012. The first single "Tucan" was released on 11 May 2012. "Bad Talk" had been confirmed as the second single, with funding for its music video provided by NZ On Air, but has since been changed to "LaLa". Both tracks "Tucan" and "LaLa" had videos released well before the release of the full sophomore album, which were both shot and directed by Levi Beamish. Tracks from the four-week JB Hi-Fi NZ Modern Love pre-order deal include "Bones", "Mercury", "LoveFlow" and "FrenchGreen", adopting the new no-space KidsOf88 look.

Since the release of the album, the duo went on to release a third single from Modern Love, "TheDrug", the music video to which was directed and shot by Sam Kristofski, starring several of the band's friends and neighbours.

On 23 July 2013, the band released a music video for their song "Bad Talk".[10]

Discography

Kids of 88 discography
Studio albums 2
Music videos 9
EPs 1
Singles 7

Albums

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak positions
NZ[11]
2010 Sugarpills
  • Released: 16 August 2010
  • Label: Dryden Street/Sony Music
2
2012 Modern Love
  • Released: 5 October 2012
  • Label: Dryden Street/Universal Music NZ
17

Extended plays

Year Album details Peak positions
NZ[11]
2011 Sugarpills EP
  • Released: 14 February 2011
  • Label: Dryden Street/Sony Music

Singles

As a main artist

Year Single Peak positions Album
NZ[12]
2009 "My House" 3 Sugarpills
2010 "Just a Little Bit" 11
"Downtown" 21
"Sugarpills" Sugarpills EP
2012 "Tucan" Modern Love
"LaLa" 30
"The Drug"

As featured artist

Year Single Peak positions Album
NZ[13]
2012 "Feel Inside (And Stuff Like That)"
Flight of the Conchords charity single
1 Non album song

Promotional Singles

Year Single Album
2010 "Everybody Knows" Sugarpills
2011 "Nerves" Sugarpills EP
2012 "Euphoria" Modern Love
"Komodo"

Music videos

Year Title Director Official link
2009 "My House" Jacob Thomas Official Video
2010 "Just a Little Bit" Tim van Dammen[14] Official Video
"Ribbons of Light"[15] Toby Angwin[16] Official Video
"Downtown" Special Problems[17] Official Video
2011 "Sugarpills" Jae Morrison[18] Official Video
2012 "Tucan" Levi Beamish[19] Official Video
"LaLa" Levi Beamish[20] Official Video
2013 "The Drug" Sam Kristofski[21] Official Video
"Bad Talk" Jordan Arts Official Video

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2011 MTV's Teen Wolf Themselves "Formality" (Season 1, episode 11)[7]
Channel 4's Fresh Meat Soundtrack "Just a Little Bit" (Season 1, episode 8)[7]
2013 New Girl Soundtrack "LaLa" (Season 2, episode 22)[7]

Awards and nominations

Year Type Award Result
2010 New Zealand Music Awards Vodafone People's Choice Award[22] Nominated
Vodafone Single of The Year ("Just a Little Bit")[22] Won
C4 Best Music Video ("Just a Little Bit")[22] Won
2011 FOUR Best Group[23] Nominated
The Edge Best Pop Album ("Sugarpills")[23] Nominated
2013 Best Producer ("Modern Love")[24] Nominated
The Edge Best Pop Album ("Modern Love") Nominated

References

External links

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