KINDER: Euphoria on the Dancefloor

What are some of your happiest memories? Most of mine are soundtracked with artists or even specific songs I remember playing, but above all of them are my memories of live music. Whether it’s a DJ set in a sweaty club or a heartfelt folk tune in the sun, that sense of total euphoria live music creates is hard to replicate, however, dance duo Kinder has become a master of doing just that.

The complete serendipity of your happiest memories can freeze-time themselves and condense hours or days into a single moment. It’s only fitting then that Kinder bottles this sense of unbridled joy into explosive three-minute tracks. Last summer, Kinder, two Ghanaian-Australian sisters, took Australia by storm with the single Come Along featuring A.GIRL, who the sisters actually met at a writing camp the year prior.

Come Along is vivid in its reimagination of Ghana from the memories the duo made during some childhood travels, even featuring the gyil, a traditional Ghanaian wooden xylophone. Combining these hints of nostalgia and simpler times to such a thumping dance beat brings them to life.

The single, released in late 2019, marked a shift in sonic direction for Kinder and propelled them even further to stardom, reaching national audiences across Triple J.

“That was definitely something we would have loved to see happen. So when it did happen, we were stoked,” the girls, Savannah and Briony Osei, said about the radio play.

“It’s still super weird when we hear our song on the radio... I don't know if you ever get used to that, but we definitely haven't yet.”

Following it up with the darker and moodier Bus Stop is proof that multiple lockdowns and gig cancellations cannot stop this powerhouse duo from turning any space into a nightclub. It’s been a steady climb, but how exactly do two sisters from regional NSW do it all?

Growing up in Maitland, Savannah and Briony were surrounded by music from a young age. While their mother was a fan of classic rock from David Bowie to The Cure and Fleetwood Mac, their father loved superstars like Lucky Dube and Michael and Janet Jackson. All of this exposed them to rich beat-driven work and the power of electrifying charisma, and this was only the beginning of their musical journey.

From a young age Savannah was drawn to the piano and all its beautiful melodic tones, while Briony dived into dance, recognising the potential to explore how powerful beats and rhythms can move the body. As

teenagers they began producing their own music, soon combining their love of melody and rhythm – the key ingredients needed to create the perfect infectious tune.

“We were inspired by so many different genres growing up. We had an emo stage and then we loved pop but then we also got into the dance world as well. We wanted to just try everything out,” the duo said of their early days.

With current influences including Nigerian artist Rema to American dance duo Sofi Tukker, it’s clear to see why they share their name with a childhood-favourite egg-shaped chocolate.

Immersing themselves in Sydney club culture, the odd DJ slot soon became headline sets. Of course, it wasn’t long until Kinder gained attention in the festival circuit and superstars like Marshmello, RL Grime and Rita Ora came knocking for a support act. And with summer just around the corner and Australia finally returning to a new normal, the sisters are bursting to jump back onstage and share their new music with the world and spread their vibrant energy.

“I just can't wait for the moment where we can be outdoors in a group of people just dancing again,” they said. “It's just like what that whole life was, so that's what summer means to us.”

With Kinder set to perform across the Pacific, from their own headlining Australia tour to a slot in Perth’s Wine Machine festival all the way to spot on New Zealand’s Snow Machine festival line-up, the duo is making the most of the rescheduled dates and time in their home studio. But it doesn’t come without its setbacks. While they’ve been using this time to finish their new EP and are excited to share their new music with the world, it’s hard to guess what the response will be when different cities and states continue to plunge in and out of lockdowns.

“It was weird to be thinking about putting out dance music,” they said. “But I guess it's just one of those things… You've just got to carry on with it, keep being positive and keep pushing. Now we're going to put it out regardless of what happens.”

Two years in the making, their new EP, set for release just in time for summer means Kinder will be fully charged up and ready to go for one stellar year ahead in 2022. Fingers crossed we can all join them and welcome back the sound of summer – music blasting, tapping glasses and loads of laughter, surrounded by the people we love.

WRITTEN BY NADENE BUDDEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RENE VALE