Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I grew up in Raleigh North Carolina, only a few hours from the coast and the mountains. North Carolina has a strong musical tradition from bluegrass and folk to beach music. From an early age, my mom exposed me to a lot of different types of music from the NC Symphony to Motown and The Beach Boys…I have always loved discovering and listening to music. My mom loved James Taylor (NC born) and I found my niche in that singer-songwriter fold. I am a storyteller at heart and music by James Taylor, John Denver, Paul Simon and Judy Collins…definitely have inspired my own musical style. As well as more 1990s/2000s pop country like Deana Carter and Sara Evans.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Adele Lassiter”?
A: My main goal is to connect with music lovers and hopefully they enjoy my songs and it impacts them in a positive way. Music is all about connection. I’ve launched social media pages (facebook, instagram) and a new website. I’m also working with Americana/College radio directors to get my music on air. Michelle Lee, an awesome IBMA award-winning broadcaster is featuring me as an Artist of the Month in September. I hope the songs resonate with listeners and brighten their day. I also want the songs to take listeners on a journey to the wilds of Wyoming and Montana or spur their heart to explore the world around them; be it a walk in the woods, a trip to a museum or roadtrip to a national park. God gave us this life for a purpose and part of that is enjoying every minute with gratitude in spite of adversity.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: There are so many amazing artists across genres right now, but one in particular that has inspired me the past year is Molly Tuttle and The Golden Highway…I saw them at IBMA in Raleigh in 2023 and Molly’s keen songwriting ability takes you on a journey. The band members are masters of their instruments and blend everything from bluegrass to folk to rock.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the EP, “American Nomad.”?
A: American Nomad became my nickname after graduating from Belmont University…I decided to take some time to travel across the US and blog about it. I still have a blog called American Nomad Traveler where I write about my travel experiences. To me an American Nomad is someone who loves to learn and explore scenic spaces to museums and soak in culture and community. I incorporated the nickname into my song Rendezvous Heart, which is an anthem for the open road. This EP has a theme around travel and my explorations in especially in the Yellowstone National Park region, where I lived for about five years.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: This is a hard question! The word I keep hearing from listeners is ‘rootsy.’ Rootsy can span a number of genres and describes my wide-open americana sound.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “American Nomad”?
A: The biggest challenge was just getting the project off the ground. I have wanted to record this EP for over a decade, but budget, timing a cross-country move and other factors set me back. I know God has perfect timing and for the twists and turns, now really feels like the perfect time to release this record. I was able to collaborate the one of the best studios in Nashville (Beaird Music Group) and ACM nominated bass player Eli Beaird. I was able to go in a bit wiser and open minded as well, ensuring the record was truly my own voice.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: The EP has recurring themes about exploring nature and being open to the bends and breaks in life’s journey. I wanted to have an upbeat sound, that was also contemplative. The past few years, we’ve all been through a lot with COVID and learning to take each day at a time was at play in songs like Ten Sleep and Population One especially.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Paul Simon
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Passion is the most important thing you need for sustainable success – you really have to want to make music for the love of making music. You will get rejected and feel caught in the comparision game. You have to develop a vulnerability but also a thick skin. And while passion is the flame that keeps you going, you need to develop a strong music business strategy too. Focus on improving your craft and being open to constructive criticism. Join organizations like NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) and Americana Music Association, which offer learning tools. I was fortunate enough to attend Belmont University and study music business…luckily there are a lot of great resources online now as well for those who are just starting out.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Show yourself some grace. When I moved to Nashville at nineteen, I started playing open-mics and and you are inundated with advice, including a lot of rejection and ‘hey you need to sound more like this radio star, you are too folksy or too country…’ Sometimes the advice was helpful, but I took it too personally and it can make you feel like a failure. Failure isn’t final in music, you can always learn and improve and it’s okay to stand up for your unique voice. That could be what makes you stand out from the crowd.
