Kira Skov encountered many dramatic and vivid tales growing up in the suburbs of Copenhagen with her family. Her father told tales of Dennis, his friend, who survived horrific events before ending his days by drowning in a bathtub. Then there was a sister who no one else had ever heard of, who apparently died by overdose. He also spoke about his battle with cancer and subsequent treatment in a hospital in Lund, Sweden. Even though Kira's father spoke so vividly about his sister, the disease, and Dennis, they were characters and events that only lived—and died—in his imagination.
The narratives we create, as well as the unspoken ones in families, have fascinated the singer and composer for years. Eventually, these stories and everything else passed down through generations began appearing as themes in her music. Stories are passed down through generations, often through unspoken social heritage and even collective inherited memories. Kira's grandfather was in a concentration camp during World War II and, as a survivor, understandably brought a lot of trauma into his household. This greatly affected her father, who struggled with addiction throughout his life and perhaps influenced the young Kira's attraction to people 'with familiar shadows,' as she puts it.
The resulting album is direct and profound, addressing the listener in clear, melodic language. Together with her partner, Silas Tinglef, she recorded and produced What Ties Us Together Will Keep Us Apart at Seabass Studios in Copenhagen. Silas plays most of the instruments on the album: guitar, drums, keyboards, and bass in some places. Kira Skov sings and plays guitar, Maria Jagd plays all strings, AC plays bass on a couple of songs, Ned Ferm plays flute and saxophone, and Anders Trentemøller plays synth bass on one track. Brian Batz mastered the album.
Kira Skov - vocals, guitar; Silas Tinglef - guitars, bass, drums, percussion, keys, backing vocals; Maria Jagd - strings; AC Anders Christensen - upright & hollow body bass; Ned Ferm - saxophone, flute; Anders Trentemoller - synth bass; Lo Ersare - backing vocals.