Kerli

Kerli – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

: Learn about Kerli, the Estonian singer-songwriter — her journey from Elva to global stages, musical transformations, philosophical outlook, and most powerful quotes.

Introduction

Kerli Kõiv (born February 7, 1987), better known simply as Kerli, is an Estonian singer, songwriter, and visual artist whose ethereal style, emotional honesty, and boundary-pushing sound have earned her a loyal following around the world.

Her work blends pop, electronic, alternative, and avant-garde elements, often weaving in themes of fantasy, healing, identity, and vulnerability. Through albums, EPs, and collaborations, she has carved out a distinctive voice in modern music, while being outspoken about mental health, creative freedom, and self-acceptance.

Early Life and Family

Kerli was born on February 7, 1987, in Elva, a small town in southern Estonia. Piret Kõiv, worked as a social worker, and her father, Toivo Kõiv, was an auto mechanic. Eliisa, who also pursued music.

Growing up, Kerli’s parents separated when she was about sixteen.

She has recounted hardships in her early life, including periods of depression, feeling out of place, and exploring music as both shelter and identity.

Youth, Education & Musical Awakening

From a young age, Kerli showed strong musical instinct. By age eight, she began studying classical music and piano.

Kerli entered singing competitions early. In 2002 she won the singing contest Laulukarussell in Estonia (age group 13–15) with “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

She also competed in Eurolaul (Estonia’s Eurovision selection) in 2004, finishing runner-up with “Beautiful Inside.” Stockholm to pursue musical opportunities and work with producers.

Despite early contracts and attempts, her path was not smooth. Some record deals fell through, and she often lived under precarious conditions as she chased her dream.

Career and Achievements

Signing, EP & Debut Album

In 2006, after earlier stints with Universal Republic and other labels, Kerli auditioned for L.A. Reid and was signed to Island Records.

She released her debut EP "Kerli" on October 16, 2007, which included tracks “Walking on Air” and “Love Is Dead,” and covered Bauhaus’s “She’s in Parties.”

In July 2008, she released her full debut album Love Is Dead, which charted at #126 on the Billboard 200 and reached the Top of several European charts. “Walking on Air” became an international success, featured as iTunes “Single of the Week” and downloaded over 500,000 times.

Other songs from the album include “Creepshow”, “Love Is Dead”, “Bulletproof”, “Beautiful Day”, among others.

Over time, she also contributed tracks to soundtracks—e.g. “When Nobody Loves You” for 007: Quantum of Solace, and “Bulletproof” for Punisher: War Zone.

Musical Evolution: Utopia, EDM & Independent Path

After Love Is Dead, Kerli pushed toward a lighter, more vibrant sound. She coined a style she called “Bubble Goth”: combining synths, dance beats, ethereal textures, but retaining emotional introspectiveness. Army of Love, which reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart in May 2011.

Her EP Utopia was released digitally March 19, 2013 (physically in Baltic/Finland) with tracks like “The Lucky Ones,” “Sugar,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” “Here and Now,” “Chemical”, and a remix of “The Lucky Ones.”

During this period, she also collaborated with electronic artists: e.g. Seven Lions on “Worlds Apart” (2014), tyDi on “Glow in the Dark” and “Something About You”, Cash Cash on “Here and Now”.

In late 2013, she parted with Island Records and joined Ultra Music. “Feral Hearts” (2016) and “Blossom.”

Her second studio album was recast and reworked; in 2019 she released Shadow Works, with singles like “Savages”, “Better”, “Legends”.

In 2023 she released a single “21st Century Kids” and followed with an EP Oversoul in 2024.

Songwriting & Influence

Kerli’s impact also extends through her songwriting for others. She co-wrote “Skyscraper”, popularized by Demi Lovato, which became a chart hit and earned recognition for its emotional resonance. Tarja Turunen and other artists.

She earned a European Border Breakers Award for Love Is Dead (for success outside Estonia).

Historical & Cultural Context

Kerli’s emergence came as Estonia was rebuilding its national identity after regaining independence post–Soviet era (Estonia regained independence in 1991). Her growth parallels Estonia’s cultural reopening and global digital connectivity. She has often spoken about limited opportunities and mental health challenges in her home country’s smaller music scene.

Her style bridges European alternative/pop and American electronic/dance trends, offering a cross-cultural musical fusion at a time when global streaming enables niche voices to reach worldwide audiences.

Her reclaiming of identity (leaving big labels, returning to Estonia) reflects wider shifts in the music industry: from label dependence to artist control, authenticity, and direct fan engagement.

Legacy and Influence

• Artistic uniqueness: Kerli is celebrated for creating an aesthetic and sonic universe that is distinctly hers — “Bubble Goth,” emotional honesty, fantasy imagery.

• Mental health & vulnerability: She is open about depression, identity struggles, and the creative healing process, helping destigmatize vulnerability among fans.

• Independent path model: Her decision to step away from major labels and produce music from her homeland shows alternative career paths in the streaming era.

• Songwriting footprint: Through Skyscraper and other collaborations, her influence extends into mainstream pop beyond her own releases.

• Cultural ambassador: As one of Estonia’s most internationally known musicians, she gives visibility to Estonian music on the global stage.

Personality, Themes & Creative Vision

Kerli is known for being introspective, mystical, emotionally transparent, and spiritually curious. She often explores themes of inner darkness and healing, transformation, soul, identity, and connection.

She created a fan community called Moon Children, whose values are Integrity, Love, Unity (often symbolized by three dots).

Her aesthetic blends fantasy, nature, cosmic imagery, and emotional resonance. She's also spoken about breathwork, meditation, and spiritual practices influencing her well-being and artistry.

Famous Quotes of Kerli

Here are some of Kerli’s memorable quotes:

“The truth is, people aren't against you: they're just for themselves. The only thing within your control is how you react and respond to the chaotic dance of life.” “My favorite form of meditation is breathwork — if you're crazy like me and find it hard to sit still, you should try it.” “I started writing books and making clothes for my dolls when I was around 10 as a way of making my reality exciting. When I went out to play with friends, I always arranged elaborate sets and costumes.” “On ‘Utopia,’ I mix sick beats with ethereal elements while trying to keep the focus very much on the songwriting.” From Wikiquote:
“People don’t dream [in Estonia]. People don’t have dreams. When your kid wants to be a superstar in America, the whole family supports the kid. If someone has talent it’s appreciated and recognized.”

These quotes reflect her philosophical bent, artistic imagination, and lived experience bridging small-town roots and global expression.

Lessons from Kerli

1. Your vulnerability is a strength
   Kerli’s openness about mental health and emotional depth shows how sharing wounds can build connection — not alienation.

2. Authenticity over formula
   She shows that uniquely personal, eclectic music can find an audience even in a commercial world.

3. Reinvention is resilience
   From label deals to independent artistry, her shifts highlight adaptability and creative self-sovereignty.

4. Build community, not just fanbase
   The Moon Children illustrate the power of meaningful connections: shared values, creativity, and mutual support.

5. Widen your definition of success
   For Kerli, success is not only chart positions but emotional resonance, spiritual wellness, and integrity.

Conclusion

Kerli is a musician who defies easy classification, uniting emotional honesty, musical experimentation, visual imagination, and spiritual exploration. Her path from Elva, Estonia to global recognition is not only a story of talent, but of courage — to confront darkness, reimagine identity, and reclaim creative autonomy.

She continues evolving — releasing Shadow Works, Oversoul, and new singles — while keeping her core values visible: healing, authenticity, and connection. For those drawn to art that feels both ethereal and deeply human, Kerli’s journey and words offer an invitation: to explore both the shadows and the light within, and to express your truth in whatever medium you choose.