Kerli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kerli
Kerli performing at the Identity Festival in Houston, Texas in August 2012
Born	Kerli Kõiv (1987-02-07) 7 February 1987 (age 38) Elva, Estonia
Nationality	Estonian
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Musical career
Genres	Pop alternative rock electronic dance-pop goth-pop
Instruments	Vocals piano
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Stolen Transmission Republic Island Ultra Monstercat Tiny Cute Monster Seeking Blue
Signature

Kerli Kõiv (born 7 February 1987), known simply as Kerli, is a singer and songwriter from Estonia. She is known for her unique musical style and creative visuals.

Kerli grew up in Elva, Estonia. She started singing in competitions at a young age. In 2006, she signed with Island Records. Her first music release was a self-titled EP in 2007. In 2008, she released her first album, Love Is Dead. This album appeared on the Billboard 200 chart. The song "Walking on Air" from the album became very popular. It was downloaded over 500,000 times on iTunes.

After Love Is Dead, Kerli's music style changed. She moved from alternative rock to more electronic and dance music. Her 2010 song "Army of Love" showed this new sound. In 2013, she released her second EP, Utopia. This EP also charted on the Billboard 200. Songs like "Army of Love" and "Zero Gravity" became top hits on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. Kerli also wrote songs for other artists, including "Skyscraper" for Demi Lovato. In 2013, Kerli joined Ultra Music. Her second studio album, Shadow Works, was released in 2019.

Early life and beginnings

Kerli Kõiv was born in Elva, Estonia, on 7 February 1987. Her mother, Piret Kõiv, was a social worker. Her father, Toivo Kõiv, was an auto mechanic. Kerli's parents separated when she was 16. She has a younger sister, Eliisa, who is also a musician.

As a child, Kerli studied ballroom dancing for eight years. She practiced five days a week. Her kindergarten teacher first noticed her singing talent. At eight years old, Kerli became interested in classical music. She started writing stories and poems at age 10. This helped her escape from a challenging home life. Kerli left school at 16 to focus on her music career.

Early music journey

In 2002, Kerli won the Laulukarussell singing competition. She sang "Bridge over Troubled Water". She also won the Fizz Superstar contest by changing her age. This led to a singing contract with Universal Republic Records. However, the contract did not last.

Later, Kerli moved to Stockholm. She competed in Melodifestivalen in 2003. In 2004, she was a runner-up in Eurolaul. This competition chooses Estonia's song for the Eurovision Song Contest. While in Stockholm, she faced financial difficulties. She lived in an abandoned house for a time. At 18, she moved to the United States. There, she met L.A. Reid, who signed her to The Island Def Jam Music Group in 2006.

Music career

Love Is Dead era (2006–2009)

Kerli performing in 2008

In 2006, Kerli worked with producer David Maurice. They created songs about her life. These songs were released on her self-titled EP in 2007. Her first album, Love Is Dead, came out on 8 July 2008. The main single was "Walking on Air". It reached number 75 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart. Another song, "Creepshow", was used in TV shows like Fringe. The music video for "Walking on Air" premiered on MTV in May 2008. Love Is Dead reached number 126 on the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2008, Kerli sang "When Nobody Loves You" for the video game 007: Quantum of Solace. She also sang "Bulletproof" for the Punisher: War Zone movie soundtrack. In 2009, Kerli performed at the Õllesummer music festival in Tallinn, Estonia. She also re-released her song "The Creationist" as a duet with Italian singer Cesare Cremonini. Kerli received a European Border Breakers Award for her album Love Is Dead.

Utopia and new sounds (2010–2014)

On 2 March 2010, the album Almost Alice was released. It featured music inspired by Disney's Alice in Wonderland. Kerli sang two songs on it: "Tea Party" and "Strange". A remix album of "Tea Party" came out in June 2010. She also covered "Nature Boy" for a promo for the TV show Smallville.

Kerli performing in 2011

After Love Is Dead, Kerli started working on her second album. This project became her EP titled Utopia. She described her new style as "Bubble Goth". She said it was "more fun" and "twisted" than her previous work. "Army of Love" was released for free download. It later became a single on 12 April 2011. The music video for "Army of Love" was filmed in Estonia. "Army of Love" reached number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart in May 2011.

Kerli co-wrote "Skyscraper" for Utopia. However, the song was later recorded by Demi Lovato. Kerli also co-wrote "I Feel Immortal". This song was recorded by Finnish musician Tarja. Kerli's own version of "Immortal" appeared on Frankenweenie Unleashed!.

The music video for "Zero Gravity" premiered on 21 March 2012. In May 2012, Kerli announced her album was finished. In September, she confirmed a new single, "The Lucky Ones", would be released. The music video for "The Lucky Ones" came out on 5 December. The Utopia EP was released digitally on 19 March 2013. It included songs like "Can't Control the Kids" and "Sugar".

In November 2013, Kerli left Island Records and joined Ultra Music. She collaborated with Seven Lions on songs for his EP Worlds Apart. She also worked with Benny Benassi on a re-edit of "Kaleidoscope". In 2014, Kerli co-wrote "See Through" for Pentatonix.

Recent years and Shadow Works (2015–present)

In 2015, Kerli moved back to Estonia. She produced her first independent album there. Her single "Feral Hearts" was released on 19 February 2016. The music video followed a week later. "Blossom", the second single, was released on 29 April.

On 26 June, Kerli released "Racing Time". This song was written for the 2016 film Alice Through the Looking Glass. However, it was not included in the movie's soundtrack. On 27 July, she released "Diamond Hard", the third single from her album.

In 2016, Kerli was featured on Katy B's album Honey. She co-wrote and sang on "I Wanna Be". In November 2016, Kerli competed in Eesti Laul 2017. This is Estonia's selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. She finished second with her song "Spirit Animal". In April 2017, Kerli and Illenium released their song "Sound of Walking Away".

By late 2018, Kerli announced a new album project. Her album, Shadow Works, was released on 22 February 2019. Three singles were released before the album: "Savages", "Better", and "Legends". The music video for "Savages" was also released.

In August 2020, Kerli was featured on a re-recording of "Another Life" by the band Motionless in White. In February 2023, Kerli released a single called "21st Century Kids". She followed this with an EP titled "Oversoul" in 2024.

Artistry and style

Musical influences

Kerli has many musical influences. She has mentioned Lauryn Hill and Björk as major inspirations. She also likes Bonnie Tyler and Phil Collins. Other artists she admires include Anouk, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Massive Attack, and Imogen Heap. Kerli also finds inspiration in her beliefs about angels and fairies. She has said that "Xtal" by Aphex Twin is her favorite piece of music. She also likes the band Sigur Rós.

BubbleGoth style

After Love Is Dead, Kerli was sometimes called "goth". She then created her own style called "BubbleGoth". She describes BubbleGoth as mixing light and dark, or opposites. She says it's about putting together things you might not expect to go together. Kerli has said the Spice Girls were a big influence on BubbleGoth. She described it as "like a gothic spice girl".

Kerli often wears unique and colorful hairstyles. These are inspired by cyberpunk and goth fashion. Her music style has changed over time. Love Is Dead was more alternative rock. Her newer music is more like synthpop. Kerli has said she was feeling down during the making of Love Is Dead. She sees her new sound as a way to grow and reflect who she is now.

Public image

One of Kerli's logos which features "Moon Marks"

Kerli performing at the 2012 Nashville Pride Festival on June 16, 2012.

Kerli often wears three dots called "moon marks". These dots represent integrity, love, and unity. These are also important ideas for her fan community, called Moon Children. This group started in 2006 for people who "feel too much" and need a supportive community. It's about being your best self and taking responsibility for your life.

Kerli supports equal rights for all people. She believes everyone should be able to marry and live their lives freely. She has performed at pride festivals in cities like Boston, Detroit, and San Francisco. She also supports the NOH8 Campaign. In 2011, Kerli was named one of the 100 Most Influential Estonian Women.

Personal life

"Agnus Dei" tattooed on Kerli's arm

Kerli has several tattoos. At 15, she got a tattoo that means "music" in Chinese. She has three tattoos on her forearm. One is a butterfly, meaning to live each day fully. Another is the Triple Goddess symbol. The third says "Amicus Humani Generis" in Latin, meaning "a friend of the human race". On her left forearm, she has "Agnus Dei" in Latin. On her right foot, she has the letter "E". In 2017, Kerli got a snake tattoo around her wrist.

Kerli does not belong to any specific religion. However, she believes in reincarnation and other forms of life after death. She also believes in fairies and angels, seeing them as reflections of inner light. Kerli has shared that she faced personal struggles growing up. She is happy to be alive and sees life as a "beautiful and rare gift".

Discography

Studio albums

• Love Is Dead (2008)
• Shadow Works (2019)

EPs

• Kerli (2007)
• Utopia (2013)
• Deepest Roots (2016)
• OVERSOUL (2024)

Music Videos

• "Goodbye" (2007)
• "Love Is Dead" (2007)
• "Walking On Air" (2008)
• "Creepshow" (2008)
• "Tea Party" (2009)
• "Army of Love" (2011)
• "Zero Gravity" (2012)
• "Glow in the Dark" (2012)
• "The Lucky Ones" (2012)
• "Worlds Apart" (2014)
• "Feral Hearts" (2016)
• "Feral Hearts (Sacred Forrest Session)" (2016)
• "Blossom" (2016)
• "Blossom (The Halls Heaven Session)" (2016)
• "Diamond Hard" (2016)
• "Diamond Hard (360)" (2016)
• "Savages" (2019)
• "21st Century Kids" (2023)

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Kerli para niños