With UK country music on the rise – festivals selling out, Nashville stars flying in, and homegrown talent making waves – it takes something special to stand out. South Yorkshire singer-songwriter Kier is doing just that. Armed with a sharp pen, a voice that carries both grit and warmth, and a refusal to be boxed into one genre, she’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting new names on the scene. Whether she’s playing packed festival stages or clocking up thousands of motorway miles for grassroots gigs, Kier is carving her own path—and she’s calling it y’alternative.
A Debut Born from Courage
For most artists, a debut album is a bold statement. For South Yorkshire singer-songwriter Kier, it was more like an introduction—a way of raising her hand and saying, here I am.
Her first full-length record, Welcome to the Strange Life, arrived not with a polished origin myth or a carefully scripted narrative, but with an honest desire to step into the world as an artist in her own right. “I’d written all these songs and never released anything of my own before then,” she says. “I’d done collaborations and duets, but nothing stood on my own. Those songs were pretty much just a, ‘here I am, this is what I’m doing,’ and I’m gonna give it a go.”
That sense of openness runs through the project. It wasn’t about telling one story, but rather about giving listeners a first glimpse into Kier’s world—her voice, her writing, and her refusal to be boxed in.
Finding Her Sound: “Y’alternative”
Trying to categorise Kier’s music is a fool’s errand. While her voice carries the unmistakable lilt of Nashville, her songs pull freely from indie, folk, and pop. She has her own name for the blend: y’alternative.
“Especially with the new album, there’s some very country-rooted stuff, but then there’s also some very poppy songs that wouldn’t really fit in that box,” she explains. “By saying y’alternative, it gives me room to breathe—I don’t have to stay purely in the country western box.”
That twang in her voice, she admits, happened almost by accident. “I listened to a lot of country growing up, but I was obsessed with Miley Cyrus,” Kier laughs. “She’s obviously got that Nashville twang, and my voice took that on by accident. Even when I was writing singer-songwriter stuff, people would say, ‘she’s a country singer.’ I just went, oh, sure—I’ll deal with it!”
Songs as Compass Points
Of all the tracks on Welcome to the Strange Life, it’s Someone To You that Kier holds closest. “It was the last one I finished for the album, and it’s still my favourite,” she says warmly. “It’s about trying to navigate whatever the hell’s going on in this weird world of music, and staying humble and grounded towards every opportunity. It’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind—always chasing the next thing—rather than appreciating what you’ve already been given.”
That balance between ambition and gratitude has become a through-line in her career. While she’s played hundreds of gigs in a year, racking up over 11,000 miles in her car by spring alone, she insists she’s never lost sight of why she started. “It’s very easy to get lost in it and forget that this is why we’re doing it,” she reflects.
Writing as Therapy
If there’s one constant in Kier’s world, it’s writing. Last year alone, she estimates she wrote 180 songs. “I just write for the sake of writing,” she says. “It’s my own version of therapy. Some songs are really open and raw, others are inspired by things I’ve seen, friends, family… not everything is about me. But with this next album, it’s definitely more personal. I’ve grown up since the first one, and this time I’ve been a lot more honest about myself.”
Among the new material, two songs stand out: Down To Your Demons and Let the Credits Roll. The latter, she reveals, is tipped to be the title track of her forthcoming album. “There are so many songs where I’ve spoken about my own life this time, rather than just writing for fun,” she explains. “I’m looking forward to people seeing that side of me.”
South Yorkshire Roots, Nashville Dreams
Growing up in South Yorkshire meant Kier wasn’t surrounded by country music. “It’s all very indie rock and roll where I’m from—we’ve got Pulp and Arctic Monkeys, and people really back that,” she says. “Country wasn’t really approached by anyone there.”
But her hometown crowd has surprised her. “When I did my album launch, I was like, I didn’t know we had this many country fans here,” she laughs. “Everyone’s been super supportive.”
That same sense of community drew her to the broader UK country scene. “One of the reasons I’ve stuck around in country is it’s so welcoming,” Kier says. “At a country gig, people actually listen. I’d grown up doing cover gigs where no one cared. Then you come to a country festival, and the crowd is so attentive. It feels like a family.”
On the Road: Memorable Moments
Kier’s touring schedule is relentless, but it’s also filled with stories she’ll never forget. There’s the couple who discovered her while supporting a Luke Combs tribute in Bournemouth, and then drove all the way from Portsmouth just to see her again at Country Calling in Chelmsford. “I still find it insane that anyone spends money on petrol to come see me,” she admits. “It’s bonkers – but so cool, and I’m so grateful.”
And then there’s the unforgettable fan from her album launch. “This guy showed up super drunk, fell over as he walked in, cracked his head—blood everywhere,” Kier recalls. “But he stood up, didn’t even spill his drink, and said, ‘I’m gonna go see Kier!’ Then he watched the whole gig with dried blood on his face. It was insane—but I’ve never had so much respect for anyone in my life.”
What’s Next for Kier?
With national radio picking her up and slots at festivals like Tramlines and the British Country Music Festival already under her belt, Kier’s momentum is undeniable. But she’s not the type to draw up a five-year plan. “I should probably have one, but I’m very much a go with the flow person,” she laughs. “I set goals, of course, but I just enjoy seeing what happens. I’d love to do a proper headline tour next year—that’s definitely on the bucket list.”
In the meantime, fans can expect a duet with close friend Rhiannon Paige in the coming months, ahead of the release of album two. “We’ve really experimented with this record,” Kier teases. “The first album was very much band in a room. This one has those elements, but also lots of pop influences. It’s broad, and I think there’s something for everyone in it. I just hope people respond positively.”
Staying Authentic
For Kier, success isn’t measured by charts or labels, but by staying true to herself. If she could leave a note for her future self, it would be simple: “You don’t have to do everything all at once. Enjoy the process. Don’t forget who the important people are. Stay true to yourself—because ultimately, being the most authentic version of you is what will carry you forward.”
With her fearless creativity, unwavering work ethic, and a sound that proudly resists easy categorisation, Kier is more than ready to step into the spotlight. In her own words, she’s just “giving it a go”—but if the UK country scene keeps rallying around her, she may well be one of the artists defining its future.
KIER
Hometown: South Yorkshire, UK
Favourite Song From Debut: Someone To You
Songwriting Output: 180 songs in 2024 alone
Dream Collaboration: Jade Bird — “the best live vocal I’ve ever heard,” says Kier
Closest Friends in the Scene: Rhiannon Paige & Emelia Quinn
Miles Driven for Gigs (2024 so far): 11,000 (and counting)
Biggest Goal for 2025: A headline tour of her own
