Shes branded the instrument with her name, which is spelled out in mother-of-pearl letters along the guitars neck.
Sierra Ferrell shimmers in the pink, purple, and orange stage lights.
But then, Ferrell has never fit easily into a box.
Bobbi Rich (@mamahotdog)
But to call her simply a country artist is to sell her short.
And in the context of her own life, it certainly is.
I can afford health care.
Sierra Ferrell on stage at Webster Hall on May 16
Ive bought a housethats huge.
Nothing big and fancy, I dont really need much.
Honestly, all of us, we dont really need much.
Sierra Ferrell performs at Webster Hall on May 16
For all her success, Ferrell remains steadfastly and humbly herself.
Glamour: Youve got a busy summer ahead with the tour.
How are you preparing for everything?
Sierra Ferrell at Webster Hall on May 16
What can I do to help with my mental health?
I do a lot sauna-ing, I like to float, and I do a lot of praying.
I think thats really beneficial.
Did you say float?
Yeah, its like a float tank.
Like a sensory deprivation tank?
What does a typical day on the road look like?
What do you do to get ready and then how do you wind down after?
Our bodies just dont want to hang as much.
And then you put your headphones on and you listen to these frequencies.
Ive only found one of them, but I really like that.
I felt like it enhanced my brain.
I kept getting goosebumps, and Im like, This is what I need to be doing.
And youre laying on this waterbed, and then they send these same frequencies through the waterbed.
I have to try that.
Youve got such amazing style.
I’ve always been super into fashion, I just love it.
Any little thing like that to help.
Recently Ive been collaborating with some friends.
But its always fun to see what theyre going to come up with.
I loved what you wore onJimmy Kimmeltoo.
It was a bit theatrical, and it felt like the audience was immediately immersed in Sierras World.
Can you tell me about that look and how it came together?
That look was sort of like a woodland fairy, just a creature of the mountains.
Thats what we were going for with that.
I worked with this woman, shes got this company called Fables by Barrie.
And I love the glam, too, with your hair and big braids and makeup.
Yeah, Ive had a rotating cast of really amazing folks thatve come out on the road with me.
Its just like I said, its so fun to have different approaches and different eyes to help you.
Its also fun to keep the show visualI want you to have all these senses piqued.
I want to have a show where people can taste something.
Youve also done shows that incorporate circus themes.
Is that something that youve always been drawn to?
Ive always been a carney at heart.
I love the circus.
I always wanted to run away with the circus when I was a kid.
Do you feel that way?
I definitely feel that way.
Can we expect any circus elements as you continue the tour?
What are your inspirationskeeping it in the aesthetic area for a minutefor what youre going to wear?
I pull from a lot of different eras and a lot of different centuries.
I definitely always pull from what speaks to me.
I just like a little bit of everything with a twist.
Like Victorian thingsI love corsets and that snatched waist, sort of corset-y bang out vibe, that shape.
Sierra Ferrell at Webster Hall on May 16
Where do you draw your inspiration from musically?
I was reading that youre currently working on whats next.
What’s on your mood board?
I really love surf rock music, so I want to start doing surf-rock-sounding energy and vibes.
I love big band sounds, like Frank Sinatra vibes, and I do like some pop music too.
I think whenever things are good and you like it, its good.
You dont necessarily need to have a name, which is something that we have to remind ourselves sometimes.
There are so many different things in one.
In a way, I just want to do it all.
Do you have a term that you prefer for how you see yourself as an artist?
I always venture to say my music is the life-changing kind.
People are so used to just turning on a radio station and listening to what theyre playing.
I read that youve taken up rapping.
I mean, Ive always joked that I want to be a rapper, and I think its fun.
I could see myself in a rap song, doing the hook or something.
I dont want to rule it out.
But Ive got to put my time in.
So surf rock next, then your debut rap album after that.
Youve written songs for other artistsdo you prefer writing for yourself or collaborating?
Of course Im a huge fan of other peoples music.
I like trying to work with as many people as possible.
Is there anybody youd love to work with that you havent yet?
I want to work withHozier.
I only just learned hes like eight feet tall and Irish.
Thats what makes me love him even more!
Whats the biggest change in your life over the last five years?
Well, I can go to the dentist.
I can afford health care.
Ive bought a house, thats huge.
Nothing big and fancy.
I dont really need much.
Honestly, all of uswe dont really need much.
But then I remember.
I do that with other peoples music all the time.
Im doing a lot of work on myself.
Ive got a lot of healing to do.
Im on the right path.
So you bought this house.
Is that going to be long-term home base, you think?
I kind of want to move to Spain and learn Spanish and eat tacos forever.
As a southern California native I would also recommend Mexico for tacos.
I love Mexico, dude.
I was just there.
I feel like I have a deep connection.
I feel like my ancestors are just… Yeah, theyre calling for me.
I wish I knew more about my lineagelike where my ancestors hung out, ya know?
I think that our DNA is a blueprint.
We might not know why were scared of something, but then maybe our great-great-great-grandfather was scared of something.
Have you done a DNA test?
Yeah, Ive done one.
I dont really know how much I believe it, but I think its really cool.
Tell me about the beginning of your career and growing up in West Virginia.
Well, Ive always been a singer.
Ive always loved singing.
Its just something that was in me.
Ive been chipping away at that.
Did you take vocal lessons as a kid?
Your voice is amazing.
Just getting to speak freely, admire people…that is so powerful and beautiful.
American Dreaming is one of my favorite songs off your album.
It feels almost like an anthem.
What was going on in your mind when you wrote that song?
Where were you at mentally?
I was doing a lot of touring then, and I was working a lot.
So I was not in a really good place because I wasnt paying attention to my body.
I wasnt listening to my body; I wasnt listening to my mental health.
I just wasnt refilling my cup.
I was probably drinking too much.
So its, Well, Ill just have a couple drinks or whatever.
And then before you know it, youre drinking a lot.
Its not really an issue for me these days, but its easy to fall back in that routine.
And its not good.
What has been the most exciting moment of your career so far?
I feel like Ive been finding my people, and its been a fun ride.
