MEET : Kierst
Back in January we caught up with Kiersten Chow and her band, otherwise known as Kierst in Holland Park. They were coming to the end of their UK tour and had a couple of dates left before returning to the States. The late winter sun beat down on us and London showed up in all her glory, in the most wonderful, crispy way. Beautifully delicate like a bee’s wing, Kierst’s vocals cut through all of her tracks and go straight into your centre.
Music made to soundtrack a movie - that’s how I see it - and in the absence of an indie-Sundance-heartbreak scene, you input your own life. Or at least that’s how my first listening went. All you need is an empty bus seat, a long journey and Thud and suddenly you’re in your very own perfectly crafted short film.
Movie makers, take note.
Following the arrival of her debut EP released last year on Sad Club Records, Kierst is in the UK playing a bunch of shows with her band. It’s their first time playing over here and we’ve kidnapped them for an afternoon to talk about everything London has to offer, like scotch eggs and charity shops.
We caught up with the Big Applers to get the run-down on their time over here.
Hi guys! Could you start by introducing yourselves & your role in the band?
KC: I’m Kiersten, I sing and play guitar.
GM: I’m George and I play guitar.
SP: Sean, drums.
IH: My name is Ian, and I play bass.
KC: Those killer harmonies you hear onstage are also Ian ;)
PHOTOS BY EVA PENTEL
How did you guys find your time in the UK?
SP: Was great, could seriously not stop drinking Guinness.
GM: It was brilliant– every person we met along the way was incredibly kind. Also loved Nando’s. I went three times.
KC: George went to Nando’s by himself every time, I have nothing but respect for his determination. This was our first UK tour, so the whole thing was pretty surreal. But everyone we met was just so generous and kind which meant the world to us.
IH: I tried going to Nando’s with George multiple times, but he was out the door even before I could put my socks on! I think George’s solo trips there became a sacred ritual for him. It created some alone time that we were all trying to carve out on this tour. It definitely kept him sane, maybe it helped keep us all sane...
Did you manage to find a scotch egg?
GM: I did not.
KC: No… but we got really close. There was one night in Leeds where we ended up crashing with some people who came to our show. They were going to take us to a Sainsbury’s for one, but we ended up going for burgers or something instead.
SP: The search continues.
IH: I was eyeing those scotch eggs at every gas station we stopped at. Tried to get one from a pub in Clapham but the kitchen had just closed. Slightly grossed out by the sight of those funny crispy eggs. I’m curious to try one and will be forever intrigued by the concept.
PHOTOS BY EVA PENTEL
How have your shows been? What are your UK crowds like?
IH: At every show we played there were a handful of old heads who wanted the set list. These were some of the most respectful gentlemen I’ve ever met. They always seemed so stoked to be put on to some up and coming live music.
SP: Insanely attentive and supportive.
GM: I think UK crowds are more cordial than US crowds– when they hear something they like, they tell you. I liked that.
KC: I think we all kind of went into these shows not knowing what to expect, but every crowd was super attentive and gracious. I don’t think I really understood how many people in the UK knew the music until I saw it firsthand.
What's your run-down on vintage shopping in London? Where were your favourite bits from?
KC: I feel like I was probably the only one who really cracked my knuckles and went to work on this one… I kept hitting up charity shops per your recommendation. I got this really nice shearling from a Vision Foundation in Walworth, and then this insane biker jacket from Brick Lane for, like, £25. They’re the only two coats I wear now.
Some of our favourite bands we’ve interviewed over the years hail from NY (Gustaf/Nitefire/Michelle) - which other NYC-ers should we be listening to?
GM: Swami Sounds, DJibouti, Model Actriz.
SP: Margaux, Wince, & Bedridden.
KC: My favorite artist in New York right now is Dirt Buyer. The solo record he put out under his name is so great as well. But I think being in New York you’re surrounded with so much great music, and we’ve been really lucky to play with amazing bands. June McDoom, Been Stellar, Miss Grit, and Lola Star are just a few that I love.
IH: There’s great music all around NY. There’s so much I could talk about. Even going to the parks around Brooklyn I’ll see some of the craziest performances from jazz and experimental musicians. Along with that, living in NY has given me the opportunity to make friends with some of my favorite local artists. Just a few to mention are Dan English, S.C.A.B., Zero Point Energy, and Koleżanka. Their music is some of my favourite stuff out today, and it's so inspiring to be in such close proximity to them.
PHOTOS BY EVA PENTEL
What’s it like joining forces with the wonderful Sad Club Records?
KC: Such a dream honestly. I met Tallulah for the first time at a Sad Club showcase a few years ago at The Social; Buggs opened and John Myrtle was headlining. I was and always have been so impressed by their roster, so it’s been an honor to join the team. Especially now alongside artists like TV Room, Symbol Soup (with whom we co-headlined at Dream Bags recently) and Ellie Bleach, so cool.
Who’s your dream collaboration?
KC: I would die to work with Damon Albarn, or like, have a Gorillaz feature. Our manager thinks I’m joking, but I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.
GM: I wanna collab with Sweely, haha.
SP: Drake.
IH: Jack Black or Adam Sandler for me. I love to laugh!
KC: I think I have to second Ian. Jack Black or some Tenacious D type shit.
For people that are listening to you for the first time, where should they start?
KC: I feel like with streaming now the inclination is always to start from the top down, but I’m a big advocate for listening to a project all the way through instead of skipping around… or, I don’t know, go crazy and listen to the weird near decade-old demos on Bandcamp.
In three different reviews your music is described as 'fragile'. How do you interpret that?
KC: I think the recordings are a lot more fragile because they were a product of their environment - I recorded “Crush” and the EP by myself, late at night / while living with a housemate so there were just these abstract restrictions that lent themselves to making the tracks quite delicate. I think there’s a fragility live as well, but in a different way, like, trying not to burst this bubble onstage or something. When I was writing this EP I didn’t anticipate articulating the songs with a full band, but I think the next one will be a bit more collaborative and conducive to that.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
KC: While driving we all made a tour playlist that we kept shuffling through - but Sean put on that Lily Chou-Chou record one day and I’ve been listening to it ever since. That and I’m perpetually on an early 2000s wave… I’ve been revisiting that first Rooney record a lot lately.
GM: Currently, and always, on a Adrianne Lenker kick. Also the band Divorce, who we played with in Margate. They were incredible; have them on repeat!
SP: I can’t stop listening to 1996 by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
IH: I’ve been diving into ambient music recently. I’ve been enjoying the practice of passive listening. I’ll put some on in the background while I’m reading and writing and it gets me into a still & meditative state. Feels like a reset sometimes. Sean and George have put me on to some great ambient artists recently like Chihei Hatakeyama and Lovesliescrushing.
What do you listen to on the Last Bus Home?
GM: Harrison Whitford - Afraid of Nothing
SP: Untrue - Burial
IH: Kristine Leschper - The Opening, Or Closing Of A Door
What's next in the pipeline for you guys?
KC: We’ve been taking it easy since we got back, but have a college radio session + interview coming up this week. Above all else it seems like the next EP is in order…
