Last month, we introduced you to Queen Quail, the musical moniker of Berlin, Germany (by way of Milwaukee) artist Kirstin Edwards, when we wrote about the latest single (and accompanying music video) from her forthcoming debut EP. That release, the five-track Narcissus, is due to be released on Friday, November 21.
In advance of that, Milwaukee Record connected with Edwards to ask her what brought her to Germany, how the Berlin and Milwaukee music scenes have any overlap, things she misses about her hometown, and what we can expect from Queen Quail in the future.
Milwaukee Record: The Milwaukee to Berlin pipeline isn’t something you hear of all that often. What brought you to Germany initially?
Kirstin Edwards: I initially came to Germany in 2016 after university because I wanted to spend some time in Europe and explore a bit. I got an English teaching job at a school here and spent the first 10 months working in this small town, pretty isolated. I had some friends living in Berlin and quickly decided to make the move there after one visit. I had spent the night out dancing and remember walking home in the morning, basically in awe, through one of the more artsy neighborhoods and sensing how much more there was to explore here.
MR: Breaking into any music scene is tough, but I can only imagine how difficult it was to get any artistic footing in a new country thousands of miles from home. What was the adjustment like, and when did things begin to click for you there?
KE: Expats here love to joke and complain about how tough it is to find footing. And it is. Artistically, though, maybe it’s not so hard, as there is art or culture to engage with every night in this city. But I guess, on a personal level, learning how to show up in those spaces with a sense of presence and confidence has taken me a long time to develop. Things started to click after the pandemic—already four years into living here. I met one of my best friends, Emma, and we started going to shows together, meeting other musicians, and I started playing small shows, recording and playing with friends, and realizing there is a way for me to really prioritize music.
MR: Are there any parallels you’ve noticed between the music scenes of Milwaukee and Berlin? If so, what are they?
KE: There is a really strong sense of community around certain places and venues in both Milwaukee and Berlin. I go to Tennis Bar, where my friends and I played our first shows, here in Berlin super often. It doesn’t feel so different from going to Cactus Club in terms of what it does for the community and the friendly faces you see there.
MR: Can you tell us about the EP? I know it deals with looking back to your past and also acknowledging your situation of settling into a new, unfamiliar, and quite literally foreign place.
KE: The EP was written during a time where I was very overwhelmed with self-questioning and doubt. Coming to Berlin to explore meant being a bit untethered from home and my roots. I think that opened up so much space for self questioning that it became a bit too much at times. So the EP helped me to work through some of the questions and be okay with the answers to them. A big part of this process involved getting back in touch with my home, Milwaukee.
MR: What are some things you miss about Milwaukee?
KE: Oh my gosh, literally so much. I adore Milwaukee. I miss the lakefront, driving around town and looking at the beautiful architecture in the different neighborhoods, and the openness and kindness that is just sort of the default. Of course, I miss my family. Nine years is a long time to be away from them. I am super close with my sister and parents, so it’s really tough sometimes. To be honest, I will probably move back at some point somewhat soon. At the end of the day, it’s still home. When I am back, I always make a point to go to Culver’s a few times, Boswell Books, and a couple coffee shops I love. And I also go pretty hard on the Merkts cheese spread and Spotted Cow combo! Milwaukee has such a unique, tangible, and quirky culture about it that I have really grown to appreciate after living away for so long.
MR: Beyond Will Hansen from Old Pup—who plays on the EP—who are some of your favorite Milwaukee artists currently and of all-time? Are there any people local listeners might know who you’ve collaborated with in the past?
KE: Will is so talented! Getting to have him play on the EP was so special. Besides that, my sister’s boyfriend is in a couple cool projects, like Speedy Muffler. I went to grade school with Sleepy Gaucho, so it has been super cool seeing his project develop over the years. And of course, Jerry Harrison from the Talking Heads. I listened to a lot of Talking Heads my first couple months in Germany.
MR: As you near the end of the year with a brand new release to your name, what are some goals you have for Queen Quail both in the year to come and in the long run?
KE: I definitely have some exciting goals for QQ. A full-length album is already in the works, and I’m aiming to tour a bit around Germany and the U.S. in 2026. I’d also like to invite my friends into the studio with me more often.
MR: Are you hoping to set up a concert here in Milwaukee the next time you come back home?
KE: Yes, there is something in the works for December or January. I will let you know ASAP!
Queen Quail will release Narcissus on Friday, November 21. You can listen to it anywhere you stream music and pre-order it on Bandcamp.