International chart-breaker and video award-winner Kim Esty has always been known for aiming high and turning her dreams into a reality.
Kim Esty is an accomplished singer with #1 hits in Canada including "Squeeze Toy", "Pictures", and "Summer In The Street". In 1999 she won the "Much Music Best Dance Video Award”
for “Squeezetoy”.
In 2004, Kim completed her first album titled "Variety Show", a collective work of her music from past years. She worked with successful music composers including Barry Harris (Re-mixer / Producer working with stars such as Madonna and Cher), and Rachid Wehbi from "Widelife" who wrote the theme for "Queer Eye for a Straight Guy".
Kim is also the creator and songwriter of the "Kartoon Kids", an exciting dance CD for kids ages 2-8 years. The fun cartoon characters include "Piggy the Duck”, “Poopey Zoo" and “Fame Blonde”. Not only does she sing all the tracks, but is the voice behind all of the characters.
MORE INFO: www.kimesty.com
Kim Esty Bio
International chart-breaker and video award-winner Kim Esty has always been known for aiming high and turning her dreams into a reality. She launched her career early, composing songs and performing in bands since high school.
Gifted with not only a great deal of talent but also the drive and determination to make it in the music industry, it didn’t take long for Kim’s many talents to be recognized.
In the early 90’s, Kim formed a strong working relationship with renowned Artist, Producer and Remixer Barry Harris, At the time, Barry was involved in the duo Kon Kan, who had the international hit "I Beg Your Pardon, Harry Houdini". Kim toured and performed with Kon Kan on several occasions through many foreign countries, including Malaysia and Korea and Barry also produced Kim’s track ‘Make You Mine’
"Summer In The Streets" (produced by Kim Esty and Massimo Rosati) was released in 1993, giving Kim her first bonafide radio and club hit.
While hard at work on compilations with other artists, Kim had another hit with a Stacey Q cover - "Two of Hearts" - on the Club Euro compilation. This one went Gold in Canada, and was produced by Brad Daymond (N’Sync Producer/Writer].
"Squeezetoy" was Kim’s huge break, the push that would send the snowball careening down the mountainside in a controlled path and which would mark the beginning of the "Rubber Ducky Phenomenon".
Kim’s idea to sing the song in a girlish and innocent voice, but with undertones of sexiness, was met with hearty approval. Kim then also sang a cover of Billy Idol’s "Dancin’ With Myself," and "Pictures" which is Kim’s personal favorite.
Kim went on tour accompanied by her talented dancers. She joined the Boomtang Boys and the Moffats on their 1999 Canadian tour. "Squeezetoy" debuted at #1 on Billboard and stayed there for 4 weeks, a historical record. So far only Shania Twain and Alanis Morrisette have managed to debut at #1, as well. Kim and her "Squeezetoy" single proved to be a huge success. This fact was irrefutable as over 50,000 copies of the album were sold and "Squeezetoy" hit Gold status. Today it has surpassed over 150,000 units sold. The 1999 Much Music Video Awards saw "Squeezetoy" receive the award for "Best Dance Video," a great moment for Kim!
Following the phenomenal success of "Squeezetoy", Kim released "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy" on the YTV compilation with friend and producer Colin McMillan. As well, there have been re-releases of "Funky Little Beat" and "Two of Hearts" on compilation albums.
From the success of "Squeezetoy" came Kim’s idea to open up her Squeezetoy Studios (incorporating the talents of Engineer/Producer Richard Uglow.). The ‘logo’ for the studio was a cartoon illustration of Kim the "Squeezetoy Girl" and, hence, the "gang" for the "Kartoon Kids" project was born.
In 2002, Kim Esty became the voice and the creator behind the "Kartoon Kids," a group of hip and youthful characters and their pets with catchy lyrics and upbeat music geared to 2-8 year olds.
But Kim has never veered from her path as Canada’s much-loved pop/dance artist. By incorporating her varied experiences in the ‘industry’, the many inevitable ups and downs, the pop and the dance music scenes, the concept for Kim’s new, full length release ‘VARIETY SHOW" was developed.
"VARIETY SHOW" is Kim’s debut album as a pop/dance artist. "VARIETY SHOW" also saw some collaboration from the remixers Barry Harris and "Widelife," a popular name in the nightclub scene since 2002. The single "I Don’t Want You" was Widelife’s first release, and was a smashing success. Widelife is Ian J.Nieman and Rachid Wehbi, both rather well known names in the music industry. Recently they created the theme for "Queer Eye For A Straight Guy"
With such outstanding talent at work, "VARIETY SHOW" promises to be, without a doubt, a debut disc full of hits that can only promise to turn Kim’s dreams into a reality!