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Jonathan Bree
Jonathan Bree
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Key Information

Jonathan Owen Bree (born 1979) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and producer, best known for his work as a solo artist, as well as co-founding the indie pop group The Brunettes, in 1998 and Lil' Chief Records, in 2002. He frequently collaborates with label-mates as a musician, engineer, and record producer.

Early life

[edit]

Jonathan Bree was born in New Zealand.[2] Mark Lyons, frontman of indie pop band The Nudie Suits, was both Bree's cousin and a mentor in Bree's formative years.[3] When Bree was ten, Lyons introduced him to Modern Lovers, with Bree becoming a long-term fan.[4] At 12 years old, Bree first played live (and recorded) as the drummer in Lyons' band, The Plaster Saints.[5]

Music career

[edit]

The Brunettes were formed in Auckland in 1998 by Bree and Heather Mansfield. According to Bree, "My cousin had recorded her band Yoko and I thought she had a great natural voice, no silly effected delivery. I was looking for a girl to sing on some duets I had written so I tracked down her number."[4] The band independently released its first recording Mars Loves Venus EP in 1998.[6]

In 2002, Bree founded Lil' Chief Records[6] with fellow indie pop musician Scott Mannion of The Tokey Tones. The two men had met that year in Marbecks Record Store in Auckland, where Bree was working at the time.[7] The Brunettes' album Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks released in 2002[8] was the debut release for the label.[7] The album received a glowing review from AllMusic,[8] as did the label's second release, The Brunettes' 2003 The Boyracer EP. Bree produced both albums.[9] The next two albums on the label were released simultaneously in 2003 by The Tokey Tones, and Bree guested on some of the tracks.[10]

Bree went on to release several more albums on Lil' Chief with The Brunettes. Their second album Mars Loves Venus was released in June 2004[11] followed by 2005's EP When Ice Met Cream. In 2004, Ryan McPhun started playing in band, who opened for The Shins 2005 tour of North America. They have also opened for Rilo Kiley, The Postal Service, Broken Social Scene, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,[12] and Beirut and played at the 2006 Big Day Out festivals in New Zealand and Australia.

The Brunettes' album Structure & Cosmetics was released in July 2007 in New Zealand and August in the US, on Sub Pop. Their UK profile was lifted after their track "BABY" was featured in a UK campaign in December 2007, and the release of their music video.[13] In 2008, The Brunettes covered The Cure's "Lovesong" for American Laundromat Records tribute compilation Just Like Heaven – a tribute to The Cure.[14]

In 2009, The Brunettes released the Red Rollerskates EP on Lil' Chief, shortly followed by Paper Dolls. In 2010, their song "Red Rollerskates" was included in soundtrack of the 2K Sports video game NBA 2K11. "Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth" was featured on an extended advertisement for Hollyoaks in the UK.

His first work post-Brunettes was as a co-producer on the Princess Chelsea album, Lil' Golden Book. He also supplied vocals for the song, "The Cigarette Duet" and directed the accompanying music video, which subsequently went viral – reaching nearly 40 million views in the years that followed.

Bree's first work as a solo artist came in 2013 with the release of The Primrose Path. His next album, A Little Night Music, followed in 2015. Yet his big breakthrough came in the lead-up to his third album, when the song "You're So Cool" became a sensation on YouTube, drawing viewers with its odd depiction of a 1960s-style band whose faces were covered in spandex masks.[15] It soon surpassed 1 million views and is currently at 35M views as of October 2024.[16]

Discography

[edit]

Brunettes albums

[edit]

Compilations

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  • 2009: "Lovesong" by The Cure on Just Like Heaven – a tribute to The Cure
  • 2016: "Last Night's Love" by The Reduction Agents on Waiting For Your Love – a tribute to The Reduction Agents

Solo releases

[edit]
  • 2013: The Primrose Path
  • 2015: A Little Night Music
  • 2018: Sleepwalking
  • 2020: After the Curtains Close[17]
  • 2023: Pre-Code Hollywood

Collaborations

[edit]
  • 2011: co-producer on Lil Golden Book by Princess Chelsea
  • 2015: co-producer on Great Cybernetic Depression by Princess Chelsea
  • 2024: co-singer on You And Me with Princess Chelsea for Plankton: The Movie soundtrack

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jonathan Bree (born September 1, 1979) is a , , and based in . Best known for his solo artistry blending cinematic with dark, whimsical elements reminiscent of a twisted aesthetic, Bree has cultivated a through masked live performances featuring dancers and projections. He co-founded the indie label Lil' Chief Records and rose to international prominence with the viral single "You're So Cool," which amassed over 39 million views. Bree's musical journey began in childhood; he started writing songs at age nine with his first composition "Rebecca," inspired by a school crush, and played in bands until age thirteen. In the late , he co-founded the duo , which toured globally and released albums on and Lil' Chief Records, including the witty Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks in 2002. During this period, he also produced notable tracks, such as Princess Chelsea's 2011 hit "The Cigarette Duet," in which he appeared in the video. Transitioning to a solo career in 2013, Bree debuted with the self-released album The Primrose Path, offered for free on , marking a shift toward more anonymous, visually rich presentations. His discography includes A Little Night Music (2015), (2018), After the Curtains Close (2020), and the pop-forward (2023), the latter featuring collaborations with producer on two tracks. Bree's work often explores themes of modern life and love through melodic crooning over sliding string arrangements, drawing influences from artists like and . As a label head at Lil' Chief Records, Bree has supported a roster of New Zealand indie artists while maintaining an enigmatic persona in his own projects, including reissues of out-of-print works like and ongoing international tours. His balance of cheerfully melodic and darkly artistic output has earned him recognition in alternative and circles.

Early life

Childhood and family

Jonathan Owen Bree was born on 1 September 1979 in Auckland, . Bree grew up in a musically inclined family environment in , where indie and alternative sounds were part of the local cultural fabric during the late 1970s and 1980s. His older cousin, Mark Lyons—frontman of the indie pop band The Nudie Suits and four years his senior—served as a key mentor, introducing Bree to music at the age of nine by teaching him to play the drums so they could jam together. This early familial guidance fostered Bree's foundational interest in music, leading to his first drumming performances by age 12.

Initial musical experiences

At the age of 12, Jonathan Bree made his debut as a drummer in his cousin Mark Lyons' band, The Plaster Saints, a goth outfit that performed and recorded locally in . This early involvement marked his first live performances, including shows at notable venues like The Gluepot, where he played alongside older musicians in the early 1990s New Zealand music scene. Bree's cousin Lyons served as a key mentor during his formative years, introducing him to various artists and their histories, which sparked his enthusiasm for music through shared weekend jam sessions featuring covers, with Lyons on guitar and Bree on drums. As a teenager, particularly after moving to at age 13 to live with his father, an aspiring cult leader, Bree explored indie and pop genres more deeply, drawing inspiration from bands like and , whose works he studied via self-taught methods using guitar tab books. His drumming skills developed through these initial band experiences and continued practice into his teens, while songwriting emerged around age nine with his first original composition, "Rebecca," inspired by a school crush, and progressed via self-directed learning on guitar by age 14. These efforts were shaped by the informal, gig-oriented environment of the 1990s indie scene, even as Bree's activities shifted abroad, fostering a foundation in practical performance and creative experimentation before his later formal endeavors.

Music career

The Brunettes

Jonathan Bree co-founded the indie pop duo in 1998 with Heather Mansfield in , , after the pair met while performing in separate bands. Inspired by 1960s girl groups and 1970s punk, Bree took on multifaceted roles as co-songwriter, (including guitar, bass, , and keyboards), vocalist, and producer, while Mansfield contributed vocals, keyboards, clarinet, and percussion. The band's early sound drew from influences, emphasizing playful male-female harmonies and lo-fi charm. The Brunettes released their debut EP, Mars Loves Venus, in 1998, followed by their first full-length album, Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks, in 2002 on Lil' Chief Records, which Bree had established to support local acts. This era featured sugary, Spector-esque reminiscent of , with cutesy themes and Grease-inspired interplay. The 2003 Boyracer EP and 2004's expanded Mars Loves Venus album built on this foundation, coinciding with international tours across and the . In 2005, the When Ice Met Cream EP arrived alongside a pivotal label deal with Records, secured after a standout performance opening for ; that year, they also supported on U.S. and tours, expanding their global reach. By 2007, ' style evolved toward more orchestral on their debut Structure & Cosmetics, incorporating elaborate studio arrangements with , , horns, and vintage synths for a polished, mature sound influenced by , , and . Bree's production emphasized dynamic textures and knotty lyrics, downplaying earlier sweetness in favor of cowboy-psych elements and deeper emotional directness. The band maintained extensive international touring through 2009, with rotating live ensembles adding , , and drums to their core duo setup. Their final release, the album Paper Dolls in 2009 on Lil' Chief Records, reflected this sophisticated phase amid growing label and management challenges. The Brunettes disbanded shortly after, concluding a decade of collaborative output that solidified Bree's early professional foundation.

Lil' Chief Records

Lil' Chief Records was founded in 2002 by Jonathan Bree and Scott Mannion in , , as an independent label dedicated to and . The two musicians, who met while working at the Marbecks record store, established the label out of frustration with limited opportunities in the local scene and a desire to release material from their own bands, including Bree's and Mannion's The Tokey Tones. Operating initially from a rundown flat in the Kingsland suburb, the label embodied a DIY ethos, focusing on smart, ironic Kiwi indie-pop influenced by production styles. Throughout the 2000s, Lil' Chief evolved from a small operation handling physical CD releases to a more structured entity, signing additional artists and expanding its roster to include acts like The Ruby Suns and . By the 2010s, the label had relocated to the Mt. Eden suburb and shifted toward international markets, pressing vinyl in starting around 2011 and achieving viral success through , which propelled artists to global audiences without traditional radio play. Distribution deals played a key role in this growth, including an early licensing agreement with for New Zealand releases, partnerships with and Memphis Industries for international exposure in the mid-2000s, and a 2023 digital distribution pact with in the to streamline sales and streaming. These developments solidified Lil' Chief's base in while fostering a network of innovative local talent, contributing significantly to the vibrancy of New Zealand's . Bree's entrepreneurial involvement extended beyond founding the label; after Mannion relocated overseas in 2008, Bree assumed a leading role in operations, handling A&R duties and providing production support for various artists. His production work for Lil' Chief acts outside his own projects includes co-producing Princess Chelsea's debut album Lil' Golden Book (2011), where he also contributed vocals and directed the viral video for "Cigarette Duet," as well as engineering and producing Pikachunes' Cool Rainbows (2012). This hands-on approach not only amplified the label's output but also enhanced its reputation for high-quality, cinematic indie pop, helping to launch careers and establish Lil' Chief as one of New Zealand's most enduring independent labels with over 50 releases by the late 2010s.

Solo career

Jonathan Bree launched his solo career in 2013 with the album The Primrose Path, marking his transition from band work to independent production under Lil' Chief Records. The record established his signature cinematic and retro aesthetic, characterized by opulent pop arrangements and thematic visuals that evoke vintage influences. In , Bree released , his second solo album, which deepened the orchestral elements and introduced his masked persona in music videos, further emphasizing a theatrical, retro-inspired style. The project featured string quartets and soprano vocals, blending classical motifs with pop hooks to create a moody, narrative-driven sound. Bree's third album, (2018), achieved breakthrough success with the single "You're So Cool," which has garnered over 39 million YouTube views as of 2025 and was named Time Out New York's Video of the Year. The album incorporated heavy , including real strings, horns, and celeste, drawing from film composers and 1960s pop production for a lush, retro cinematic feel. A vinyl reissue of followed in 2023, making the opaque frosted blue edition widely available. The 2020 release After the Curtains Close explored personal themes of relationship breakdown and mental trauma, featuring guest vocalists such as and , while shifting toward experimental and kitschy . Bree's fifth album, (2023), adopted a "dark " vibe with sad, melodic tracks co-produced with on select songs, evoking nostalgic John Hughes-era soundtracks through string slides and chimes. To support Pre-Code Hollywood, Bree embarked on a major 52-date tour beginning with the North American Fall Tour in October 2023, including stops in and Guadalajara. In 2024, he collaborated with on "You And Me," the end-credits song for the film Plankton: The Movie, released on the official soundtrack in March 2025. By 2025, Bree released Live in Mexico City, a full capturing a performance from the tour, filmed using vintage cameras and audience phones for an intimate, retro aesthetic. In 2024, the music video for "Steel and Glass" from Pre-Code Hollywood premiered, directed by Jagoda Elson and featuring choreographed elements that highlight themes of urban .

Artistic style and reception

Musical style

Jonathan Bree's musical style is defined by melodic enriched with lush orchestral arrangements and his signature crooning vocals delivered in a deep , frequently delving into themes of modern love and bittersweet reflections on life. His compositions blend catchy hooks with sophisticated layering, evoking a cinematic quality that positions his work as evocative soundtracks to personal introspection. This approach draws inspiration from mid-20th-century icons like and , infusing contemporary indie sensibilities with a timeless, narrative-driven elegance. Complementing his sonic palette is a distinctive visual aesthetic centered on a spy-noir , where Bree and his collaborators appear in during videos and live performances, fostering an air of mystery and detachment. This masked identity, which emerged prominently in his solo debut, echoes the enigmatic allure of cinema, enhancing the thematic depth of his music through stylized, performative . Throughout his career, Bree's style has evolved from the lighter, twee pop elements of his early work with The Brunettes—characterized by sunny, witty indie arrangements—to a more refined, cinematic production in his solo phase, marked by opulent orchestration and atmospheric depth. His preference for instrumentation includes sliding strings, vintage synths for dreamy textures, and chamber elements like celeste, harp, and timpani, which contribute to the immersive, filmic quality of his recordings.

Critical reception and legacy

Jonathan Bree's album Sleepwalking (2018) received widespread critical acclaim for its sophisticated production and evocative elements, drawing comparisons to and orchestral influences while highlighting the viral success of its "You're So Cool." Reviewers praised the album's lush arrangements of strings, horns, and percussion, which created a moody, immersive atmosphere, earning it an 8.2/10 rating on for its dreamlike quality and meticulous sound design. Similarly, (2023) was lauded for its thematic depth, exploring dystopian and retro-futuristic narratives through brooding electro-pop, with critics noting its "artistic, classic" execution and emotional resonance. The album garnered a 7.4/10 on , commended for blending dark hooks with experimental turns that evoked a sense of nostalgic unease. Bree's contributions to the indie scene through co-founding Lil' Chief Records in 2002 have left a lasting cultural legacy, fostering a wave of ironic, smart indie-pop inspired by production pioneers like and . The label, started in a modest flat, launched acts like and became a key platform for Kiwi artists, evolving from DIY releases to viral successes and sustaining the local scene's global reach over two decades. His work has influenced subsequent pop and experimental musicians by blending with elements, as seen in his collaborations and the label's roster, which prioritize melodic introspection and cinematic flair. Metrics underscore Bree's enduring popularity, particularly with "You're So Cool," which amassed over 24 million streams by 2024, establishing it as a standout in indie streaming circles without mainstream chart dominance. Despite no major awards, Bree has cultivated a strong worldwide, drawn to his masked, theatrical live performances featuring custom projections and pioneering aesthetics. In 2025, the release of Live in —a full from his tour, captured on vintage cameras and audience phones—highlighted his tour success and reinforced his reputation for immersive, boundary-pushing shows, now streaming freely on .

Discography

The Brunettes releases

The Brunettes' discography, released primarily through Lil' Chief Records with some distribution via , spans albums and EPs characterized by whimsical, harmony-driven songs drawing from 1960s girl groups and influences. Their output reflects a progression from lo-fi to more polished arrangements, though the band achieved modest commercial success without major chart placements.
Release TitleTypeYearLabelFormatNotes
Mars Loves VenusEP1998Self-releasedVinylDebut EP on lathe-cut vinyl.
Holding Hands, Feeding DucksAlbum2002Lil' Chief RecordsCD, DigitalDebut full-length featuring playful tracks like "" and "Summer Love," establishing their signature ukulele-infused sound.
The Boyracer E.P.EP2003Lil' Chief RecordsCDFive-track collection including "Boyracer" and "," highlighting early touring momentum.
Mars Loves VenusAlbum2004Lil' Chief RecordsCD, VinylSecond album expanding on cosmic and romantic themes, influenced by , with tracks like the title song from their 1998 EP.
When Ice Met CreamEP2005Lil' Chief Records / CDU.S. tour tie-in release with quirky narratives, such as " Is Hulk," supporting .
Structure & CosmeticsAlbum2007 / Lil' Chief RecordsCD, Vinyl, DigitalThird album, recorded across multiple cities, featuring extended tracks like "Obligatory Road Song" with deeper melodies inspired by Fleetwood Mac's .
Paper DollsAlbum2009Lil' Chief RecordsCD, DigitalFinal studio album before disbandment, exploring mature pop themes in songs like "Red Rollerskates."
The Red Rollerskates E.P.EP2009Lil' Chief RecordsCD, DigitalFinal EP, featuring re-recordings and covers like "Lovesong."
In addition to their core catalog, contributed the track "Lovesong" (a cover of 's song) to the 2008 tribute compilation Just Like Heaven: A Tribute to , released by American Laundromat , showcasing their affinity for new wave reinterpretations.

Solo albums

Jonathan Bree's solo career began with the release of his debut full-length , The Primrose Path, on June 21, 2013, through his own label, Lil' Chief . Produced entirely by Bree, the features ten tracks blending with orchestral elements, including standout cuts like "Seven," which has garnered over 91,000 streams on . The record marked Bree's transition from band work to solo endeavors, emphasizing his skills as a and arranger. His second solo album, , followed on October 23, 2015, also via Lil' Chief Records, with Bree handling production duties. This ten-track effort draws inspiration from , featuring strings and arrangements, highlighted by the track "In the Sunshine," which has exceeded 3.4 million Spotify streams. The album's lush, cinematic sound established Bree's signature style of melancholic yet melodic orchestration. Bree's third album, , was released on June 8, 2018, under Lil' Chief Records, self-produced by the artist. Comprising eleven songs, it includes viral hits like "You're So Cool," boasting over 24 million Spotify streams, and "Roller Disco," with more than 4.7 million streams, contributing to the album's breakthrough commercial success on streaming platforms. A limited-edition frosted vinyl reissue appeared in 2024, responding to demand after the original pressing sold out. The fourth solo release, After the Curtains Close, arrived on July 17, 2020, through Lil' Chief Records, produced by Bree. This twelve-track album explores themes of with orchestral pop flourishes, spotlighting "Until We're Done," which has surpassed 2.1 million streams, and "Kiss My Lips" featuring . Its release during the global pandemic highlighted Bree's ability to craft introspective, era-evoking music. Bree's fifth and most recent solo album, , was digitally released on April 14, 2023, with vinyl following on May 12, 2023, via Lil' Chief Records. Produced primarily by Bree, with co-production by on tracks "Pre-Code Hollywood" and "Miss You," the ten-song collection evokes 1930s film aesthetics through baroque pop and disco influences, with "Miss You" emerging as a key single. The album's nostalgic production and visual accompaniment underscore Bree's ongoing evolution as a cinematic songwriter.

EPs, singles, and collaborations

Jonathan Bree's solo output includes a series of standalone singles released through Lil' Chief Records, beginning with his post-Brunettes career. His debut solo single, "Weird Hardcore," arrived in 2014, featuring a distinctive retro-futuristic video that blended influences from biopics and television performances. Subsequent singles such as "You're So Cool" (2017), which doubled as a split 7-inch with "Say You Love Me Too," and "Waiting on the Moment" (2019) showcased his signature lounge-pop style with orchestral elements and wry lyrics. More recent releases include "Cover Your Eyes" (2019), "" (2020), "Destiny" and "You Are the Man" (both 2022), "" and "Miss You" (both 2023), often accompanied by self-directed music videos emphasizing vintage aesthetics and humor. In 2023, Bree released "Steel and Glass" as a single from his album Pre-Code Hollywood, with a music video premiering in February 2024 that highlighted his collaborative visual style. Bree also contributed to compilations, notably covering "Last Night's Love" by The Reduction Agents for the 2016 tribute album Waiting for Your Love, infusing the track with his signature melancholic orchestration. Bree's collaborations frequently involve artists from the Lil' Chief Records roster, blending his production expertise with their voices. A standout is "The Cigarette Duet" (2011) with Princess Chelsea, a dialogue-driven indie-pop track about relational tensions over smoking, which Bree co-produced and for which he directed the acclaimed black-and-white video; the song gained viral attention for its orchestral arrangement and cult appeal. This partnership continued with "Kiss My Lips" (2020), another single featuring Chelsea's vocals over Bree's lounge-inflected sound. In 2025, Bree reunited with Chelsea for "You and Me," an end-credits song for the animated film Plankton: The Movie, co-written by Bree and performed as a duet evoking themes of unlikely partnerships amid chaotic schemes. Additional joint efforts include production on tracks by Lil' Chief affiliates like The Ruby Suns and Salad Boys, though Bree's vocal and directorial roles are most prominent in his Chelsea collaborations.

References

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