Kira

Kira's soft indie pop sound originated in her decision, as a native of Wuppertal, Germany, to abandon violin lessons in favor of guitar instruction. The moment she picked up the guitar, the songwriter started crafting intelligent pop songs while neglecting her studies and entering her material in amateur songwriting contests. Producer Michael Hagel, who served as a judge at one such contest, persuaded her to relocate to Hamburg shortly thereafter. Following a year spent on collaboration and recording sessions, the pair received an offer from composer Herbert Grönemeyer, leading to Kira's signing with his Grönland label. Her first album, Inauswendig, came out on the label in 2004 and included both the empowering single "Alte Frauen" and the melancholy hit "Der Sog." The release of the single "Wenn Du den Himmel Nicht Aufmachst" two years afterward signaled the arrival of her follow-up effort, the loose and free Goldfisch.