New York City-based musician Kierst is entering an exciting new chapter of her musical career. The multi-instrumentalist has officially joined the roster of Brooklyn independent label Take Care Records, celebrating the announcement with the release of her latest single, “Two Steps Back.” Intimate, understated, and emotionally revealing, the new track explores the difficult process of finding your footing again when life doesn’t unfold as expected.
Built around a steady, driving acoustic guitar, “Two Steps Back” creates a delicate foundation for Kierst’s airy vocals and introspective songwriting. There’s a quiet tension running through the arrangement, balancing the weight of looking backward with the uncertainty of figuring out what comes next. Rather than attempting to disguise its vulnerability, the song embraces those complicated feelings, capturing the experience of losing direction while searching for a way to reconnect with yourself.
For Kierst, the track developed over several years before finally taking its current shape. What began with a single verse written in London eventually became something much more personal as she revisited the song and reconsidered its meaning.
“I wrote the second verse for this song in London years ago, then recorded the whole track with placeholder lyrics,” Kierst explains. “Eventually I rewrote everything except the original verse while trying to figure out how to move forward after a string of setbacks; it’s about feeling like you’re losing your center of gravity and finding ways to ground yourself.”
The accompanying music video brings another dimension to the single’s introspective atmosphere. Directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, the visual places Kierst alone beneath a spotlight, drawing inspiration from the aesthetic of PJ Harvey’s iconic “Good Fortune” video. Filmed partially in reverse and featuring Kierst performing portions of the lyrics backward, the video plays with perspective and movement in a way that complements the song’s exploration of reflection, uncertainty, and finding a path forward.
“Two Steps Back” marks an important introduction to Kierst’s next creative chapter, but her musical journey has been developing for several years. She first caught the attention of independent music audiences in 2022 with Thud, her debut EP released through London’s Sad Club Records. The project earned recognition from publications including The Line of Best Fit, So Young Magazine, and The Independent. Following its release, Kierst took her music across the UK for a ten-date run, performing at The Line of Best Fit‘s annual Five Day Forecast and the winter concert series associated with Wide Awake Festival and DAZED.
In 2024, she returned with “Southern Star,” a release produced by Jonathan Schenke, whose previous production credits include Parquet Courts, Snail Mail, and The Drums. Each release has offered another glimpse into her evolving approach to songwriting, blending thoughtful lyricism with arrangements that leave room for atmosphere and emotional expression.
Her recent live appearances have continued building that momentum. Last weekend, Kierst and her band performed at the Asian Culture edition of No One Else Says Festival, sharing the lineup with Whisper Doll, Sunshy, Push Ups, and other emerging acts. Looking ahead, she is already preparing for an active 2027, with performances scheduled at New Colossus Festival in New York City and SXSW in Austin, Texas. Additional live dates are expected to be announced.
With a new label partnership, a deeply personal single, and more opportunities to bring her music to audiences across the country, Kierst is moving into this next stage with a sound that continues to prioritize honesty, atmosphere, and emotional connection. Sometimes moving forward doesn’t mean having everything figured out. Sometimes it means accepting the setbacks, finding your balance again, and taking another step even when the direction isn’t entirely clear. That’s the feeling at the heart of “Two Steps Back.”
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