Domino Kirke is back with new single/video “Stepchild” the track is off her forthcoming album The Most Familiar Star, out April 18th and follows previous previous single “It’s Not There”, a collaboration with Angel Olsen about questioning the family you chose, with hypnotic vocals revolving around a Sharon Van Etten sample. “Stepchild” explores family dynamics and parenthood, all important themes to Domino who in addition to being a musician, is also a doula. ‘Stepchild’ is a self portrait of sorts, inspired by the relationship dynamic shift that occurred when Domino expanded her own family, singing about the beauty of blending and growing it. The video features portraits and interviews with real blended families.

“I wrote “Stepchild” about my time in the “hallway” as a parent. I wasn’t a single Mum anymore because I was in a relationship, but I wasn’t married yet. I wrote this as sort of goodbye letter to my former partner, and also as a welcome letter to my new partner. Kinda like, “this is how to love us, but also “man, I really hope I don’t have to put my kid through anymore major life changes.” I like to write very openly about family systems and dynamics in my songs. Step families can have a lot of stigma attached to them. My brother had a stepdad (my father) and it was always a really fascinating and confused me growing up. Intellectually I knew we had “different dads” but emotionally I never felt a separation. I explore people’s experiences of blended families on both of my albums. It mirrors the inner work over been doing in my life since I became a parent sixteen years ago. Work I know we’re all doing on some level.”

Kirke wrote and recorded The Most Familiar Star with Elliot Krimsky and Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor, all parents to young children. “This whole album is about coming back to yourself and meeting you where you are,” Kirke notes. “Pretty much every song addresses loss of self and later renewal. The core themes are grieving who you used to be pre-family, pre-marriage, and pre-parenthood and then reuniting with parts of yourself that you’d perhaps lost while trying to understand how the landscape of your life looks post-change.” The result is an artfully shaped living and breathing soundscape anchored by rich instrumentation suited to Domino’s range and lyrics.

Along the way, Domino carefully assembled The Most Familiar Star with Krimsky and Taylor. “We’re all deeply creative, but we’re also really invested in being attentive parents. We wonder, ‘Can we do it all?’ A lot of the songs are about this central question. Most people attempt to become parents in silos and corners of themselves without art, creativity, or community. That’s impossible. I believe parents need to be witnessed by each other, communities, and themselves.”

“When people listen to this, I really want them to listen to the words carefully,” Kirke adds. “Fans will often tell me, ‘Wow, I didn’t know I needed to hear you say that.’ I hope these songs are a balm for your soul, but also force you to maybe go to therapy,” she laughs.

Domino Kirke
The Most Familiar Star
Tracklisting

Mercy
The Most Familiar Star
Oldest Missing
City
It’s Not There feat. Angel Olsen
Secret Growing
Stepchild
Teething

Pre-order The Most Familiar Star HERE