Kiersi Joli "In The Key Of Kiersi" Album Review.

Artist: Kiersi Joli

Album: In The Key Of Kiersi

Released: 2026

Website: https://www.kiersijolimusic.com/

Kiersi Joli is new to the scene, but I suspect will not be a stranger to blues and roots fans for long. At 18 years old she has already been playing harmonica for 12 years and age 9 became the youngest Hohner endorser. She has all the makings of an exceptional singer and songwriter. She has quite a bit of rock and roll spirit in her music, but more than a foot planted in the roots of where great blues music comes from. 

The first single Magnetic is just that. It pulls the listener in the way a magnet would pull a paperclip across a table. It is a great intro to this soulful artist's take on southern flavored music. Compositionally, this cut reminds me of something that would fit perfectly on the first Ian Moore record from way back when that made a huge splash in the post SRV blues scene. It is undeniably blues based, but gracefully and respectfully pushing the music into a contemporary space. 

Crumble is a standout track for the more traditional blues fan. A classic slow shuffle that is drenched in hurt that is beyond this singer's years. The harmonica solo, with its clean tone, is as sweet as pecan pie. This is a player that can make the harp talk and sing. In the business of the blues, the most memorable music is never based on great chops, but the ability to emote, which Kiersi clearly delivers.

Bad Side leans on the classic Walking Blues vibe and delivers it to an unexpected and really cool space. The verses stay right in the blues pocket while the choruses take the listener straight into the roots rock world. Kiersi's ability to straddle the two so carefully is reminiscent of how ZZ Top was able to take the blues to the masses on their first six albums with a more commercial approach to the songwriting, without ever offending the blues traditionalist. It takes a careful and creative artist to thread that needle and Kiersi seems to do it quite naturally.

My favorite track from the record is Outta The Blues. This writer is a sucker for the classic shuffle and this band lays it on thick. It's a deeply pocketed groove with clever lyrics that reference lots of the greatest artists of the blues genre. The vocal delivery is as relaxed as the biggest cat on the block and the harp is top shelf. It is short and sweet. If Willie Dixon and The Beatles taught us anything, it is that you can get the point across in 3:05. Anything more than the truth is too much and this song sure feels like the truth.

Kiersi Joli has music in her that is simply miles beyond her time on this earth. This is a young woman with an old soul. Not only has she found this music that we call the blues at such a young age but she embraced it and is well on her way to being a master of it. There are so many ingredients that make a great blues artist and she has the most rare one....restraint. Most artists her age are more concerned with how many notes they can jam into a 12 bar space. Kiersi seems to understand you only need to play the right ones to get the point across. A rare skill at any age. This writer is quite confident she will find an audience that recognizes the difference as well.  

Check out the interview with Kiersi below...

Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

Some of my biggest influences are Bonnie Raitt who I’ve admired for years, Larkin Poe, SusanTedeschi, and Chris Stapleton. Non-musical influences are my family

What’s your favorite accomplishment as a musician thus far?

I had to really think about this question for a moment and the answer lies in what’s the 1 thing I'll never forget? I realized that would be the Jim Pasquale Horizon Award I received from the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Fest. It recognized me as not just a musician, artist, or songwriter, but as a whole. This recognition has also honored me with returning as a featured artist every year since!

Tell me about your favorite performance in your career.

Getting to open up for Lauren Daigle in 2024 at The Ryman

What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

My first harmonica teacher Sandy Weltman once told me at the beginning of my learning to take lessons from many professional teachers. This allows you to grow musically to where you end up developing your own sound instead of sounding like one person.

What's new in the recording of your music?

First, I’d like to state that there was no AI involved in the creation or production of this album in any way. I have always felt that if you want to express true emotion in your songs, you need people, not machines. This album is an accumulation of the music that I grew up listening to, was taught to play harmonica to, was inspired by- all wrapped up into my own sound.

What inspires you to write the music you write?

While I may be young and haven't had a lot of experiences in life, emotions are universal, we just feel & process them in different ways. With that, I’m able to resonate those feelings & create a song that expresses those feelings. Blues is so much about feel and that’s really what drew me into playing the blues! Many different things inspire me in songwriting! From a riff that pops in my head or a cool melody that randomly appears or a great hook - most of the time in that  quiet moment at 1:00 in the morning!

What made you want to play the instrument you play?

Well I’ve been singing my whole life, but I didn’t become serious till 6 when I got the harmonica. So, I started taking lessons for harmonica and voice, then added guitar later. I love playing music because I get to make a connection with my audience, and when they feel it, it’s like fuel!

If you could play anywhere or with anyone in the world, where or with who would it be?

Definitely Bonnie Raitt, her songs tell a story in a point of view that we don’t usually look at. Her melodic hooks are captivating, and when she’s on stage, she just has the best time. To get to jam with The Tedeschi Trucks Band & Larkin Poe would be so epic! Buddy Guy & Taj Mahal are super cool that have the blues feel I just love! A Chris Stapleton collaboration would also be a dream come true as his songwriting is limitless and powerful with a unique sound that blurs genres and just showcases great songs!

What are your biggest obstacles as a musician?

Being under 21 has definitely had it’s challenges especially in Nashville with a lot of venues being 21 and up. Another obstacle in Nashville is that so many people have labeled it as a country town, so when I say I play other genres sometimes venues will say I’m not country enough, but when I do play in venues and people hear me, they turn their heads & love what I’m playing because I’m not playing the usual country songs. Finding those open doors can be challenging but staying true to who I am and continuing on regardless- I know, in time, more doors will eventually open- not just locally but nationally (and internationally is the plan!).’

What strengths do you have that you believe make you the musician you are?

Music is a part of me like breathing- always has been according to stories my parents tell. It’s not just something I do! So there is definitely a strong passion that drives it. My momma says it’s my work ethic but when you love something- it’s not work. My guitar instructor, Nicky V says it’s my incredible ear that has really elevated my musicianship. To be honest, I think it’s the fact that I see all the ways and the areas that I want and need to grow in and continually strive to be better.