Written by Kaitlyn Musgrove
In the heart of her creative essence, Kira Metcalf invites us into her world of music.
Born into a family of musicians, with a professional cellist for a mother and a father deeply immersed in bands, Kira’s journey into the realm of melodies came naturally. “I was always around bands and musicians growing up,” she shares, “I was encouraged to be musical and pick up an instrument.” When asked what her first instrument was she recalls, “I think I started with a little violin, a little cello, and a little piano.” Yet, it was her intuitive reliance on her ear, rather than classical training, that defined her musical trajectory. “I had a really hard time with music theory,” she admits, “I relied on my ear a lot, and I still do, it’s how I play music now.”
Drawing from a mosaic of influences spanning from 40s jazz to art pop and grunge, Kira’s musical style is a reflection of her eclectic journey through life. “My influences kind of just come from my lifetime of experience,” she explains. “I really gravitate towards musicians who are lyric-based… people with really devastating lyrics,” specifically citing Leonard Cohen, Adrianne Lenker, and Julia Jacklin among her influences.
When digging into her songwriting process, Kira shares that the process comes from inspiration in her daily life. “I would say it’s mostly inspiration-based. I’ve been having a lot of song inspiration walking my dog lately. I feel like walks are always inspirational. It’s always lyrics first and then I’ll pick up my guitar,” she reveals, shedding light on her creative alchemy.
Recalling her favorite performances, she reminisces about the thrill of overcoming challenges, like the time she took on a show at Brooklyn Bowl without a full band. “I’ve taken on at least two shows where I didn’t have a band when I took them on… like a year, year and a half ago I played Brooklyn Bowl and when I took on the show they said it needs to be full band and I said okay, that’s fine and it was like maybe a month and a half away and I didn’t have a band but we made it work. We put together a really strong hour-long set and it was a crazy night and it felt amazing.”
If Kira’s life were a soundtrack, it would be the title of her upcoming EP, which is currently shrouded in mystery and anticipation. As for transporting listeners to another time and place, she paints a vivid picture of the fictional realm of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where her music sets the stage for an otherworldly experience. “I would send them to the Bronze in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It would be like me playing on a stage at the Bronze and a bunch of hot, moody vampires,” she states.
Vampires aside, when envisioning who would make for a dream collaboration, she sets her sights on bands like Youbet and Stimmerman, along with the legendary Bjork, driven by a shared passion for authenticity and emotional depth. “Right now there’s this band called Youbet, I can’t stop listening to them and I’m just so moved by their music. Dream scenario, dream collaboration. There’s also a band called Stimmerman fronted by Eva Lawitts. That’s another dream collab. Bjork, I live for Bjork. Weird things, deeply emotional things, honest and intricate and interesting. Those are the dreams.”
Reflecting on her journey, Kira offers profound advice to her younger self and aspiring musicians alike.
“Speak up for what you want, learn anything you really want to do and you don’t have to be an expert but have enough knowledge and confidence in your voice to advocate for yourself ” she urges,” and practice, practice, practice.”
With two upcoming shows in New York, including her first full band performance of the year at Rubulad in Brooklyn on April 18, and an EP currently in the recording process, Kira’s journey is far from over. Planning to self-release her EP in the fall, she warmly invites fans to embark on this musical odyssey with her, an experience I personally recommend joining her on.
When it comes to keeping up with Kira on her musical journey, you can stay updated on all her endeavors, including behind-the-scenes content and the making of her upcoming EP, including behind-the-scenes content and the making of her upcoming EP, by following her Instagram: @KiraMetcalf.
