Kids of 88 were a New Zealand new wave duo based in

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...

, New Zealand, 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 Sony Music Entertainment (SME), also known as simply Sony Music, is an American multinational music company. Being owned by the parent conglomerate Sony Group Corporation, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is owned by Sony Entertainme ...

and released the album '' Sugarpills'' in August 2010. In 2014, the duo stated that 'the ids of 88project has concluded.'

Members

* Jordan Arts – programming/keyboards * Sam McCarthy – vocals

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 Smokefreerockquest (SFRQ) is an annual music competition for intermediate and high school bands throughout New Zealand. The first Rockquest was held in 1988, and was organised by Christchurch radio station C93FM as a local event. The following ...

. 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." They cite their influences as "Groove, mood, and slutty arrangements. 16th hi hats and hand claps. Culture and couture, Gangster and glamour". McCarthy is also a member of the band

Goodnight Nurse Goodnight Nurse was a New Zealand pop punk band formed in Auckland in 2001. The group originally began as a trio, but later changed to a four-piece prior to the release of their second album. It consisted of lead vocalist Joel Little, guitaris ...

2010–2011: ''Sugarpills'' and extended play

In April 2010, Kids of 88 signed a worldwide record deal with

. 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 Naked and Famous are a New Zealand indie electronic band from Auckland, formed in 2007. The band currently consists of Alisa Xayalith (vocals, keyboards) and Thom Powers (vocals, guitars). The band has released four studio albums: ''Passi ...

, the tour will hit the four main centres of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin beginning 30 September. 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". In November 2010 they toured Australia and in December 2010 they headed to Europe to support

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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 8 August 2011 episode of MTV's ''

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'' entitled "Formality", they were featured as the live band performing at the Beacon Hills formal. During their on screen set, they played "Just a Little Bit", "Ribbons of Light" and "Universe".

2012: Modern Love

The second studio album, ''Modern Love'' 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 NZ On Air (NZOA; mi, Irirangi te Motu), formally the Broadcasting Commission, is an autonomous Crown entity and commission of the New Zealand Government responsible for funding support for broadcasting and creative works. The commission oper ...

, but has since been changed to "LaLa". Both tracks "Tucan" and "LaLa" had videos released well before the release of the full second album, which were both shot and directed by Levi Beamish. Tracks from the four-week

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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".

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

As a main artist

As featured artist

Promotional Singles

Music videos

* "Special Problems" is the combined work of Campbell Hooper and Joel Kefali.

Filmography

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Kids of 88 Official Site

Facebook Kids of 88 Page
{{Authority control New Zealand indie rock groups New Zealand new wave musical groups People educated at St Peter's College, Auckland New Zealand pop music groups