Kita Alexander
{{Short description|Australian musician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Kita Alexander
| image = Kita_Alexander_speaking_with_Milky_Milky_Milky_in_April_2024.png
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption = Kita Alexander speaking in April 2024
| birth_name = Nikkita Kalea Alexander
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1996|02|25}}{{cite instagram |user=Owen Wright |postid=CLsOSqJrGv8 |title=Happy 25th birthday to this incredible popstar and mother of 2! Rumi, Vali and I love you @kitaalexander |date=25 February 2021 |access-date=26 February 2021 |url-access=registration}}
| birth_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| origin = Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
| genre = Pop
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| years_active = 2011–present
| label = Warner Music Australia
| website = {{URL|kitaalexander.com}}
}}
Nikkita Kalea "Kita" Alexander (born 25 February 1996) is an Australian pop singer-songwriter from Brisbane, Queensland. Her single "Hotel" peaked at number 51 on the ARIA Singles Chart in November 2017 and was certified 2× Platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in 2020. Alexander released her debut studio album, Young in Love in March 2024.
Early life
Nikkita Kalea Alexander was born on 25 February 1996{{cite web |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6638742/kita-alexander-is-back-to-making-waves/ |title=Kita Alexander, one half of the dream couple with pro surfer Owen Wright, is back on stage for The Drop Festival |work=The Newcastle Herald |date=20 February 2020 |access-date=30 January 2021 |author=Lazarevic, Jade}} in Brisbane, Queensland.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Australian-Musician-Kita-Alexander-Makes-Waves-with-New-Video-for-My-Own-Way-20150612/ |title=Australian musician Kita Alexander makes waves with new video for 'My Own Way' |work=BroadwayWorld |date=12 June 2015 |access-date=30 January 2021}}
She was raised in Port Macquarie, where she began performing at the age of 15, and left high school to focus on her music career.{{cite web |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/3216591/kita-alexander-doing-it-her-own-way/ |title=Kita Alexander: Doing it her own way |work=The Newcastle Herald |date=17 July 2015 |access-date=30 January 2021 |author=Kellar, Jim}}
Personal life
Kita Alexander's elder sister, Natassja Alexander, died in July 2013. She dedicated her 2017 Hotel EP to her sister's memory, saying: "It's heavily influenced and deeply personal. "Hotel" is about dealing with the loss."{{cite web |url=http://pilerats.com/music/electronic/interview-kita-alexander-opens-up-on-her-deeply-personal-new-ep-hotel |title=Interview: Kita Alexander opens up on her deeply personal new EP, 'Hotel' |work=Pilerats |date=5 May 2017 |access-date=1 August 2018 |author=Davies, Hayden}}
She married Australian professional surfer Owen Wright in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://vmagazine.com/article/premiere-kita-alexander-returns-new-ep-hotel |title=Premiere: Kita Alexander returns with New EP 'Hotel' |work=V Magazine |date=4 May 2017 |access-date=1 August 2018 |author=Viswanath}}
Close friend and fellow musician Jack River was a member of the bridal party, alongside Lisa Mitchell and Isabel Lucas.
Alexander and Wright's first child, Vali, was born in 2016.{{cite web |url=https://hhhhappy.com/the-loss-and-love-of-australias-pop-princess-kita-alexander |title=Where did Kita Alexander disappear to for 2 years? Hear the bittersweet tale of her latest EP Hotel |work=Hhhappy |date=18 May 2017 |access-date=1 August 2018}} Their second child, Rumi Alexander Wright, was born on 15 January 2021.{{cite instagram |user=Kita Alexander |postid=CKk6_2WDrSR |title=Rumi Alexander Wright 15.01.2021 ... |date=15 January 2021}} The family live in Lennox Head,{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Dan |date=2023-03-24 |title=Why Owen Wright is walking away from competitive surfing, while he still can |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/why-owen-wright-is-walking-away-from-competitive-surfing-while-he-still-can-20230322-p5cu85.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} also spending time at their second home Paradiso Property, in Byron Bay, where Alexander wrote music for EP, The One.{{Cite web |title=Inside musician Kita Alexander and Olympic surfer Owen Wright's Byron Bay beach shack |url=https://www.domain.com.au/living/inside-musician-kita-alexander-and-olympic-surfer-owen-wrights-byron-beach-shack-1223613/}}
Career
=2013–2014: ''Lion Hat''=
Her first extended play, Lion Hat, with six tracks, was issued in March 2013. It was produced by Jordan Millar and recorded in Sydney. Lisa Tisdell of Port Macquarie News felt, "the finished product containing songs that appeal to a cross-section of people." She moved to Byron Bay, after turning 18.
Alexander found her talent manager, Tim Manton (of After the Fall) of TAP Management, via a Google search.{{cite web | url = http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/20-buzz-bands-youll-be-listening-to-in-2016/855631/amp.html | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160425140200/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/151586/20160426-0002/fasterlouder.junkee.com/20-buzz-bands-youll-be-listening-to-in-2016/855631/amp.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 25 April 2016 | title = 20 buzz bands you'll be listening to in 2016 | last = Macgregor | first = Jody | work = FasterLouder | publisher = Junkee Media | date = 20 January 2016 | access-date = 1 August 2018 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
=2015–2016: ''Like You Want To''=
{{Main|Like You Want To}}
Alexander released her debut single "My Own Way" in August 2015. "My Own Way" received airplay on national youth radio station Triple J,{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s4278095.htm |title=Kita Alexander working with producers behind Lana Del Rey, Sia, Empire of the Sun |work=Triple J |date=21 July 2015 |access-date=3 May 2020}} and peaked at #95 on the ARIA Singles Chart. AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung observed that, "[her influences] informed much of her sonic aesthetic, while polished production sheen enhanced her pop sensibilities."{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kita-alexander-mn0003447168/biography |title=Kita Alexander | Biography & History |author=Yeung, Neil Z |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=1 August 2018}} Alexander had travelled to the west coast of United States earlier that year to record an acoustic music video for "My Own Way" at Noisey Acoustics in Topanga Canyon. "My Own Way" polled at #125 in Triple J's Hottest 200 of 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/15/countdown/101-200 |title=Full List 101-200: Triple J Hottest 200, 2015 |work=Triple J |date=27 January 2020 |access-date=3 May 2020}}
The singer's second EP, Like You Want To was released in November 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/music-news-aria-singles-adele-earns-platinum-status-with-hello-at-no-1-20151107|title=ARIA Singles: Adele Earns Platinum Status with 'Hello' at No 1|publisher=Noise11 (Paul Cashmere, Ros O'Gorman) |last=Ryan|first=Gavin|date=7 November 2015|access-date=7 November 2015}} The EP was rated by AllMusic's Neil Yeung at three-and-a-half stars out-of five, which he described as, "a fun and carefree quartet of atmospheric pop... a promising start for the young singer, whose sunburned throwback pop displays a maturity well beyond her years."{{cite web | url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/like-you-want-to-mw0002891414 | title = Like You Want To – Kita Alexander | Songs, Reviews, Credits | last = Yeung | first = Neil Z | publisher = AllMusic | access-date = 1 August 2018 }} The title single was issued earlier in that month, which peaked at #82 on the ARIA Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/music-news-aria-singles-adele-hello-spends-sixth-week-at-no-1-20151205|title=ARIA Singles: Adele 'Hello' Spends Sixth Week at No 1|publisher=Noise11 (Paul Cashmere, Ros O'Gorman) |last=Ryan|first=Gavin|date=5 December 2015|access-date=5 December 2015}} "Like You Want To" ranked at number 107 in Triple J's Hottest 200 of 2015 and was then certified Gold by ARIA in 2020.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://amnplify.com.au/kita-alexander-shares-the-official-music-video-for-new-summer-anthem-cant-help-myself-out-now/ |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=amnplify.com.au|date=11 November 2020 }}
=2017–2018: ''Hotel''=
{{Main|Hotel (Kita Alexander song)}}
Alexander's third EP, Hotel, was released in April 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/11/aria-chart-watch-448/|title=ARIA Chart Watch #448|publisher=auspOp|date=25 November 2017|access-date=25 November 2017|archive-date=15 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715075146/https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/11/aria-chart-watch-448/|url-status=dead}} The title single peaked in the top 60 on the ARIA Singles Chart in November after charting in the related ARIA Hitseekers Singles Chart for over 20 weeks. It was certified platinum, for shipment of 70,000 units, by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in February 2018{{cite certification | region = Australia | type = single | certyear = 2018}}{{cite web | url = https://www.auspop.com.au/2018/2/aria-chart-watch-459/ | title = ARIA Chart Watch #459 | publisher = auspOp | date = 10 February 2018 | access-date = 10 February 2018 | archive-date = 10 February 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180210120935/https://www.auspop.com.au/2018/2/aria-chart-watch-459/ | url-status = dead }} and 2× platinum in 2020.
"Hotel" came in at #196 in Triple J's Hottest 200 of 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/18/countdown/101-200 |title=Full List 101-200: Hottest 200, 2017 |work=ABC (Triple J) |date=28 January 2017 |access-date=3 May 2020}}
=2019–2021: "Between You & I" and "Against the Water"=
{{Main|Between You & I (song)}}
In May 2019, Alexander released "Between You & I", which samples Tears for Fears' 1985 song Everybody Wants to Rule the World.{{cite web |url=https://www.coolaccidents.com/news/kita-alexander-back-after-2-years-between-you-and-i |title=Kita Alexander is back after two years with new song 'Between You & I' |work=Cool Accidents |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=3 May 2020 |quote="...The song cleverly samples Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World, modernising the 1985 classic into a sleek little indie pop tune."}} "Between You & I" polled at #179 in Triple J's Hottest 200 of 2019{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/19/#/countdown/101-200 |title=Full List 101-200: Hottest 200, 2019 |work=Triple J |date=29 January 2020 |access-date=3 May 2020}} and was certified Gold in 2020.
In February 2020, Alexander released "Against the Water". The song references her partner Owen Wright's brain injury (which occurred while surfing competitively Pipeline on the North Shore of Hawaii) and Alexander's subsequent withdrawal from touring in order to nurse him back to health.
=2022: ''The One''=
On 11 March 2022, Alexander released "Run" in which she disavows an unhealthy relationship and sings of finding the courage to break free and is the first taste of a forthcoming EP, due in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/kita-alexander-finds-personal-power-in-new-single-run-3179532|title=Kita Alexander finds personal power in new single|website=NME|date=11 March 2022|access-date=14 March 2022}}
On 19 August 2022, Alexander released "Ocean Blue".{{Cite web|url=http://pilerats.com/music/bands/listen-kita-alexander-ocean-blue/|title=Listen: Kita Alexander - Ocean Blue|website=Pilerats|date=19 August 2022|access-date=19 August 2022}}
On 4 November 2022, Alexander released "Memories of You", the fourth single from her fourth EP, The One, scheduled for related on 17 November 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/kita-alexander-shares-poignant-new-single-memories-of-you-details-the-one-ep-3342376|title=Kita Alexander shares poignant new single 'Memories Of You', details 'The One' EP|website=NME|date=4 November 2022|access-date=4 November 2022|author=Robinson, Ellie }} "Memories of You" reckons with trauma of sexual abuse to which Alexander says, "I hope that the men who listen to this song will digest {{sic|i|t's}} true meaning and have it in the back of their heads, on repeat, always".
=2023: ''Young in Love''=
{{Main|Young in Love}}
In March 2023, Alexander announced details of her debut headline tour in Australia and released "Queen".
In November 2023, Alexander released "Best You Ever Had" and announced her debut album Young in Love, which was released in March 2024.{{cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/kita-alexander-announces-debut-album-young-in-love/tkcEqKuqraw/03-11-23#:~:text=Byron%20Bay%2Dbased%20singer%20Kita,album%20release%20in%20April%202024. |title=Kita Alexander Announces Debut Album 'Young In Love'|website=The Music|date=3 November 2023 |access-date=3 November 2023 }}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+List of albums released, with year released and label details shown ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| AUS {{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/veronicas-land-in-top-10|title=Veronicas land in top 10|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=29 March 2024|access-date=29 March 2024}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Young in Love
|
| 61 |
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+List of EPs released, with year released and label details shown ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Details |
| scope="row"| Lion Hat
| |
|---|
| scope="row"| Like You Want To
|
|
| scope="row"| Hotel
|
|
| scope="row"| The One
| |
=Singles=
Awards and nominations
=AIR Awards=
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2024
| "Atmosphere" (with Fisher)
| Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single
| {{won}}
| {{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/2024-air-awards-nominees-genesis-owusu-cub-sport-rvg-teen-jesus-more/3f1j8fDz8vU/14-05-24|title=2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More| website= The Music|date=14 May 2024|access-date=16 May 2024}}
{{end}}
= APRA Music Awards =
The APRA Music Awards were established by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) in 1982 to honour the achievements of songwriters and music composers, and to recognise their song writing skills, sales and airplay performance, by its members annually.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2025
| "Atmosphere" with Fisher
(Kita Alexander, Konstantin Kersting, Thoman Earnshaw,, Dominik Felsmann, Paul Fisher)
| Most Performed Dance/Electronic Work
| {{nominated}}
|-
{{end}}
=ARIA Music Awards=
The ARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="4"| 2024
| Young in Love
| Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist.
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4"| {{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-26/aria-awards-2024-nominations-royel-otis-kylie-minogue-dom-dolla/104398174|title= ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=26 September 2024|access-date=29 September 2024}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| "Atmosphere" with Fisher
| Best Dance/Electronic Release
| {{nom}}
|-
| {{nom}}
|-
| Fisher for "Atmosphere" by Fisher and Kita Alexander
| {{nom}}
|}
= Electronic Dance Music Awards =
The Electronic Dance Music Awards are presented by iHeart Radio and commenced in 2022.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | 2024
| "Atmosphere" (with Fisher)
| Dance Song of the Year
| {{nominated}}
{{end}}
=Queensland Music Awards=
The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au/about|title= About the Queensland Music Awards|website=Queensland Music Awards|access-date=21 March 2021}}
{{awards table}} {{small|(wins only)}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row"| 2024
| "Atmosphere" with Fisher
| Highest Selling Single
| {{won}}
| {{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/cub-sport-jem-cassar-daley-joff-bush-win-big-at-2024-queensland-music-awards/WYznTUxPTnE/17-04-24|title= Cub Sport, Jem Cassar-Daley & Joff Bush Win Big At 2024 Queensland Music Awards|website=The Music|date=17 April 2024|access-date=18 April 2024}}
{{end}}
=Rolling Stone Australia Awards=
The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2024
| "Atmosphere" with Fisher
| Best Single
| {{nom}}
|rowspan="1"| {{cite web|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/2024-shure-rolling-stone-australia-awards-nominees-troye-sivan-kylie-minogue-more-56283/|title= Troye Sivan, Kylie Minogue & Dom Dolla Among 2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees|publisher=Rolling Stone Australia|date=4 March 2024|access-date=11 March 2024}}
|}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Kita Alexander}}
External links
- {{Official website|kitaalexander.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Kita}}
Category:21st-century Australian women singers
Category:Australian women pop singers