Sierra Spirit is already having one incredible year.
The artist born Sierra Spirit Kihega from Oklahoma, home of both her tribes, Otoe-Missouria and Keetoowah Cherokee, has spent the first part of 2025 trekking across North America, having opened for David Gray on the singer’s tour, which began in January in Boston.
But as she played SXSW, it was even more evident she’s on the brink of a big moment.
“It’s crazy, I lived in Oklahoma my whole life until I was 21, but I’ve never been to Austin,” says Spirit, speaking with Variance during the Austin-based festival and conference.
With standout songs such as “Bleed You” and “American Pie”—both co-written with Variance favorite Aaron Taos and Jon Buscema, the latter of whom produced both tracks—Spirit’s music could easily share a space alongside catalogs from the likes of Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo, drawing inspiration from both.
And while Spirit is certainly a newcomer to the music world, her skillset is notable, such as her ability to turn gut-wrenching lyrics into addictive hooks, with her raspy, velvet vocals seamlessly navigating buttery pop sounds just as easily as gritty, burn-it-all-down rock.
Such is the case with “American Pie,” which is reflective of the brokenness and uncertainty felt by so many. In some ways, the song is holding up a mirror to listeners.
“I think it's just because the world is in such a strange place right now,” she explains of the song’s origins. “There's so much disarray and it's kind of strange how there's so much terrible shit going on. But yet we all still want our own little piece of the pie.”
She adds: “It's something that I don’t think we’ll ever quite be able to get away from because it's just ingrained in our culture. It’s part of the game we play.”
This empathetic songwriting and the authenticity of her performances are part of what is resonating with fans, as the singer has also embraced her roots and her identity in the indigenous community.
“Growing up, there wasn't a ton of indigenous artistry to look up to,” recalls Spirit. “In a way, I felt like had to create a space for myself. I wasn't seeing indigenous artists on TV or the radio. And I think it was really important for me. My first foot forward is always going to be that I'm an indigenous person from Oklahoma and making that a really important part of my music and my platform is always priority.”
Next up, Spirit says she’s busy working on new music, teasing the likelihood of a new project soon.
“After South By, I’m jumping back into more writing sessions. I’ll just keep cracking towards the next EP.” ■
