Kian Maxwell Bytyci Brownfield (born 14 July 2002), known professionally as Kian (stylised in all caps; pronounced "Key-ahn") is an Australian singer and songwriter from Castlemaine, Victoria. He is best known for winning Triple J Unearthed in August 2018.[1][2] His breakthrough single "Waiting" was polled at number 20 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2018.[3]

Kian
Kian performing at Laneway Festival in 2019
Kian performing at Laneway Festival in 2019
Background information
Birth nameKian Maxwell Bytyci Brownfield
Born (2002-07-14) 14 July 2002 (age 22)
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
OriginCastlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2017–present
Labels
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life

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Kian was born in July 2002 in the goldfield town of Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia. Since the age of three, Kian and his mother traveled on and off with his father making music in remote indigenous Australian communities. Kian's parents separated in 2010, although both parents are singer songwriters and passionate about music. hearing him sing at a very early age, Kian's mother and father saw his potential and he received his first guitar at the age of seven.

Music career

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2017–2021: Early years and Bliss

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In May 2017 Kian wrote and sang the chorus of Baker Boy's debut single "Cloud 9".[4] The single's popularity kickstarted Kian's success.

In February 2018, Kian released "Too Far Gone" with 15-year-old Vince the Kid.[5] In July, Kian released "Waiting" a song he wrote at the age of 14, with him explaining "It's about that feeling of uncertainty when you don't know if they like you back – I know it's childish but I reckon everyone has found themselves in this insecure hole at some point in their lives no matter what age. Hidden within the lyrics are some things that relate to me personally along with metaphorical things to move the story along."[4] In August, Kian was announced the winner of the 2018 Triple J Unearthed.[1][2] Since winning Triple J Unearthed, "Waiting" was added to high rotation and was being played on the more commercial radio station, Nova.[6] In November, Kian signed a new recording deal with EMI Music in Australia and Republic Records for the rest of the world.[7]

In February 2019, he released his third single "Childism" with Triple J getting an exclusive first listen. Kian explained that "It's about young people feeling like they don't have a place [in society] and we're stuck in the middle." The single was also written before "Waiting" was even thought of.[8]

On 10 May 2019, Kian released his debut extended play Bliss. He also announced a tour for late-July into early-August.[9] Following the release of Bliss, Kian released a series of stand-alone singles.

2022-2023: Shine

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In July 2022, Kian released "Shine", the title track and third single from his second extended play, released on 26 August 2022.[10]

In March 2023, Kian united with Becca Hatch on the single "All of Me".[11]

2024: Wake Up, You're Falling

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In February 2024, Kian released "Try Hard", the lead single from his debut studio album Wake Up, You're Falling.[12]

Discography

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Albums

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List of albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details
Wake Up, You're Falling
  • Released: 1 November 2024[13]
  • Label: EMI Australia
  • Format: LP, digital

Extended plays

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List of EPs, with release date and label shown
Title EP details
Bliss
Shine

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications, and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
[15]
NZ
Hot

[16]
"Too Far Gone"
(with Vince the Kid)[17]
2018 Non-album single
"Waiting" 15 Bliss
"Childism"[8] 2019 34
"Every Hour"[19] 2020 Non-album singles[20]
"Sunbeam"[20]
"Fit in Here"[21] 2022 Shine
"Direction"[22]
"Shine"[10]
"Come Through"
(featuring rako, goyo and DALI HART)[23]
"All of Me"
(with Becca Hatch)[11]
2023 TBA
"The Way"[24]
"Try Hard"[12] 2024 Wake Up, You're Falling
"Regrets"[25]
"On the Line"
(with Logan)[26]
"Ultraviolet"[13]
"My Release"[27]
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Title Year Album
"Cloud 9"
(Baker Boy featuring Kian)[28]
2017 Non-album single
"Quick"
(Duckwrth featuring Kian)[29]
2020 SuperGood

Awards and nominations

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APRA Awards

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The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. Kian has won two awards from two nominations.[30][31]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020 "Waiting" (with Jerome Farah) Most Performed Australian Work of the Year Won
Most Performed Alternative Work of the Year

ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry. Kian has been nominated for two awards.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 "Waiting" Song of the Year Nominated
2020 "Every Hour" Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated
2022 Shine Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated [32]

J Awards

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The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005. In 2017, Kian received a nomination for the Unearthed Artist of the Year Award.[33]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 Himself Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated

Music Victoria Awards

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The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Kian Best Regional Act/Outer Suburban Act Nominated [34][35]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Meet Triple J's 2018 Unearthed High Winner, KIAN". MusicFeeds. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Castlemaine's KIAN has taken out triple j's Unearthed High for 2018". Tone Deaf. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Hottest 100 2018". Triple J. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Kian Waiting". AIR. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Best New Music on triple j". ABC. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Kian". EMI Music. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  7. ^ "KIAN signs to EMI Music Australia". The Music Network. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  8. ^ a b Newstead, Al (8 February 2019). "First Spin: KIAN's 'Childism' is a smooth song about teen frustration". Triple J. ABC. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  9. ^ Newstead, Al (24 April 2019). "KIAN announces tour behind debut EP 'Bliss'". Triple J. ABC. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  10. ^ a b c "KIAN Shares Title Track From Newly-Announced Shine EP". Music Feeds. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  11. ^ a b "KIAN and Becca Hatch Unite on New Collab 'All of Me'". Music Feeds. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Kian Returns With New Single 'Try Hard'". Music Feeds. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Ultraviolet Single". Am Rap. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Bliss – EP by KIAN on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  15. ^ "Discography – Kian". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  16. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  17. ^ "Too Far Gone – Single by KIAN & Vince the Kid on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  18. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles". ARIA. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  19. ^ Newstead, Al (1 May 2020). "First Spin: KIAN turns up the smooth dial on "Every Hour"". Triple J. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  20. ^ a b Bruce, Jasper (18 November 2020). "Kian returns with smooth new jam "Sunbeam"". NME Australia. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  21. ^ "KIAN looks for a sense of belonging on breezy new single "Fit in Here"". NME. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  22. ^ "Direction - single". Apple Music. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  23. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist Additions 26/08/22". Music Feeds. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  24. ^ "The Way by Kian". Popnable. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  25. ^ "Kian Shares New Single 'Regrets', Says To "Expect More" New Music". Music Feeds. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Logan and Kian Unite for Smooth Indie Tune On the Line". Mushroom Group. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  27. ^ "New Music Discoveries 27th Sept: Alex the Astronaut, KIAN, Hachiku, and more". Instagram. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Cloud 9 (feat. Kian) – Single by Baker Boy". Apple Music AU. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  29. ^ Newstead, Al (7 August 2020). "First Spin: Duckwrth collabs with Kian for the super-slick 'Quick'". Triple J. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  30. ^ "Tones and I leads Nominations for 2020 virtual APRA Awards". Noise11. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  31. ^ "Full List of Winners". APRA AMCOS. 2020. Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  32. ^ Lars Brandle (12 October 2022). "Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)". The Music Network. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  33. ^ "The J Awards of 2018". Triple J. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  34. ^ "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  35. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.