# BIRTH STORIES — KIERAN SIMKIN

**Release:** 21 August 2026, 06:00 BST  
**Format:** Explicit single  
**Length:** 4:56  
**Genres:** UK underground hip-hop, trip-hop, acoustic pop  
**Moods:** meditative, bruised, quietly furious  
**Artist location:** Seaford / Brighton, East Sussex, UK  
**Contact:** Kieran Simkin — kieran.simkin@gmail.com

## One-line description

A father of three turns three difficult birth experiences into a stark UK hip-hop song about informed consent, communication and dignity in maternity care.

## The story

“Birth Stories” is drawn from Kieran Simkin’s experiences during the births of his three children: repeated dismissal during a three-day labour; a procedure being approached without first asking for consent; inadequate support after birth; and communication overload during an unexpected home birth after he explicitly explained that he is autistic and needed one instruction at a time.

The song is personal testimony, not a blanket accusation against maternity staff or the NHS. It acknowledges that beds, staffing and funding matter while arguing that listening, clear communication and respect remain essential. Its central refrain — “Birth stories, war stories” — describes the difficult accounts parents share behind otherwise happy baby photographs.

The release arrives while maternity care is under renewed national scrutiny and an independent review is examining services in Sussex. The lyrics are informed by lived experience and official reporting; they do not contain numerical statistics.

## Sound

Dusty drums, deep sub-bass, muted guitar, piano/Rhodes, samples and synth textures support conversational south-coast rap verses. A breathy melancholic female chorus grows from an intimate opening into layered harmonies and a heavier final refrain.

## Artist bio

Kieran Simkin is an independent UK songwriter and producer working across guitar music, electronic production and concept-led visual work. His songs use direct storytelling to turn difficult personal and social subjects into emotionally legible musical experiences.

## Content note

Discussion of birth trauma, bodily autonomy, medical procedures and an infant falling during an unexpected home birth. The original artwork contains blood-like medical imagery; a platform-safe artwork variant is supplied.

## Release status

- Spotify for Artists: scheduled for 21 August 2026 at 06:00 BST; editorial pitch submitted 8 August.
- YouTube Music / Art Track: distributor delivery is being checked because the release was not visible in the Official Artist Channel’s Releases tab on 20 August.
- Spotify release URI: `spotify:album:3ZttmuMpJALIEFtex7RLxI`
- Spotify artist: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4OXT84RUXlZ1tqmi913wVO
- YouTube Official Artist Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKalJj_gM_gvmTw9N1YL39A

## Interview themes

- Informed consent and bodily autonomy in maternity care
- Birth partners as participants rather than visitors
- Autism-aware emergency communication: one clear instruction at a time
- The difference between criticising systems and blaming frontline staff
- Why difficult birth experiences are often hidden behind celebratory photographs

## Press-use statement

The account may be quoted from this one-sheet with attribution to Kieran Simkin. Please do not infer or publish the identity of a hospital, clinician, partner or child.