How do you stay tied to where you’re from, even when oceans away? Well, writing songs, for starters.
Milwaukee native Kristin Edwards first became enamored with artistic and musical culture growing up near the shores of Lake Michigan. Engrossing herself in cello lessons, language classes, architecture and even the lake itself, the artist within emerged — as did a desire to explore further and leave the nest.
Now based in the German capital of Berlin, Edwards has established a through-line of thoughtful folk in her music. Echoes of artists like Squirrel Flower, Phoebe Bridgers and Adrianne Lenker tip into her confessional, down-to-Earth indie project, Queen Quail.
Incubated in a bedroom out of a desire to make connections in a new environment Edwards was just starting to understand, Queen Quail was years in the making, with influences that predated her big move. By tapping into a reserve of experiences, her songs broadly serve as a means to interpret life’s big changes, current yearnings, new adventures and an innate tendency for self-seeking.
Narcissus, the new EP from Queen Quail, could be seen simply as a classic exercise in leaving to find oneself. As Edwards shared: “At its core, this record is both a mirror and a map, looking back at doubt and transformation, but also pointing toward what comes next."
Its Milwaukee x Berlin appeal speaks to both scenes and how they are alike, even when separated by a literal ocean. The songs on the EP brought her back home in more ways than one: creatively to collaborate with Milwaukee musicians like Old Pup and physically to hit some of the city’s stages. More importantly, these songs have helped Edwards further discover who she is and realize that the complete story will never be fully written.
“Maybe you don't ever really truly know who you are,” she says, “but I think there are some things you can figure out.”
The beauty of songwriting is that it’s a journey you can embark on again and again your whole life. The week that Narcissus got its release, I talked with Edwards about the path she’s traveled, Berlin’s rocky first impression, and the permanent place Milwaukee holds in her heart.
Queen Quail interview highlights
On leaving Milwaukee for Berlin and missing home:
When I came to Berlin [for the first time], I actually didn't like it; it was winter — dark and cold — and I really didn't get it. But then I came back a second time and stayed with some friends and just had a beautiful time; we went out dancing and just saw a lot of art, and I kind of had a “love at second sight” experience maybe? I decided immediately that I wanted to move after that second time here.
I really yearn for Milwaukee a lot, though, if I'm being honest. I love Lake Michigan. My friends here tease me because I'm raving about Milwaukee all the time. Also, I'm really close with my family — my parents and my sister — and it's tough being so far away.
I think Milwaukee is my favorite city. I love to come back, just driving around town and going for coffees, looking at the lake, going to little bookstores and vintage shops. … The architecture, too. I think that wouldn't be the first thing people think of, but some of the buildings are so beautiful; it’s always a pleasure to just drive around and look at the pretty houses.
And Milwaukee architecture is a lot older than Berlin, actually, because most of Berlin was bombed during World War II. If you go by North Point, near the lighthouse, and then keep taking that little pocket of Lake Drive south, there are those houses overlooking the bluff down to the lake. …I love that little street.
Getting into the music scene in Berlin:
My best friend Georgia from Milwaukee, who I've known since I was 3, came to Berlin also to study music, and through her I met a bunch of other music students. Then, after she left, I stayed in touch with a lot of these people, particularly after the pandemic. I started going to a lot more gigs with people from this little pocket of the city.
There's so much going on here. You can really drop into any scene you want to. It just took some time to build a bit of confidence or presence, and in the beginning I was really just going to shows and observing how people run their project or the different genres. Post-pandemic, I started to play a bit more, just like DIY stuff.
In the early days, we went to a lot of techno parties, and that was totally new for me. I really had never listened to techno before and then kind of circled back to more guitar music after that phase and was really glad to return to something a little more chill [laughs].
So, yeah, I started with techno and then transitioned into going to little basement shows with drum machines and guitars and vocals. And guitar was what I know how to do, so it made sense to just bring it onstage.
On working with Will Hansen of Milwaukee’s Old Pup:
He's awesome. Getting to have him play was such a treat. I think I met him at one of my first ever gigs in Milwaukee. We got chatting, and then when I was working on the EP, I was like, “I know exactly who can play pedal steel on here.” And he did such a great job. He recorded in Milwaukee remotely, but we did play together last winter in Chicago, so we've played live together as well.
On how “Queen Quail” came to be:
I had gone to the botanical gardens here, and in one of the domes they had these little dwarf quails, and they're really small. They're like the size of your index finger in length. And they just were so sweet and gentle … they kind of made me cry. So that's how I got the quail part, and I guess I just dubbed myself the “queen quail” [laughs].
On being vulnerable in writing lyrics:
I think it's a learned thing; I feel like I've met some really sweet people in my life who created space for me to open up into. I'm a pretty shy person, and there have been a few particular people that I think really have given me a lot of emotional space. I would like to think that fed into the music a bit as well.
I’m comfortable with where I'm at right now. Maybe you don't ever really truly know who you are, but I think there are some things you can figure out. When I moved here, I came here to ask some questions about myself, and I'm glad I had that time period. I'm sure I'll continue to reflect, but I'm pretty pleased at least with what I've come to discover in Berlin through music and just through my relationships here and at home.
How the word “narcissus” relates to this EP as a whole:
I think the word is really in the culture in the last couple years. It’s a big word. People have a lot of thoughts and feelings around it. It’s a word to keep in mind, especially in relationships — thinking about how you treat people, what traits you wish to see in others and yourself.
I guess how it ties into the EP was when I came to Berlin and was trying to figure out who I am and what I want to do with my life, I felt this desire to make sure that I'm living according to my values and really taking care of my relationships. I think working on this record has created a lot of opportunities for me to do so.
On the song “South Side” and its loose ties to Milwaukee:
I think at least the word comes from thinking about the south side of Milwaukee. I grew up more on the north side of Milwaukee, but going to the south side felt like exploring a bit, so maybe that's in there. I would like to think so, subconsciously.
Really, “South Side” is about holding a past experience and working through it and coming to terms with it, but then also realizing, “Oh, this is like part of my history now, and it doesn't need to color all of my reality, but it's there. It's impacted me, and this is just sort of how it is going forward.” And there’s a little bit of frustration with that, actually. Not acceptance. Actually being a little bit annoyed.
