Sierra Ferrell Makes Stunning Debut at AmericanaFest
Nearly 300 acts played the 2019 installment of AmericanaFest in Nashville from September 10th through 15th, including 150 new artists who had never played before, all holding court in numerous venues across the city. In many ways, 2019 felt like the year that AmericanaFest was too much of a good thing, with the extra day and extended lineup taxing patrons and performers alike in the unseasonable heat of mid September. And though it will always be the big names that will draw the biggest headlines—like Keith Urban guesting with Foy Vance, or Tanya Tucker playing a rousing set with Brandi Carlile and others—those who truly know how to get the best out of their experience at AmericanaFest or any musical event know that discovery should be at the heart of their itinerary.
For some, Sierra Ferrell has been on their radar for a while. Her Gems on VHS video posted over a year ago with now over 1 million views is where some were first clued into her magical Appalachian country/ragtime swing/gypsy jazz style. Since then things have been going quite well for the West Virginia native. She recently signed to Rounder Records, and this allowed her to play one of the premium spots at AmericanaFest Saturday night at the Nashville’s Mercy Lounge.
To a packed audience, Sierra Ferrell absolutely dazzled with her incredible songwriting and singing, backed by a simple band of fiddle, upright bass, and vintage drums. Sierra has a spunk and power to her, yet it’s all encapsulated in a flawless delivery. There are such amazing layers and textures in her voice and style, and it’s all conveyed with confidence and grace. She’s both an amalgam of American roots, yet distinctly all her own. Though many of the songs showcased were things the audience has never heard before, there was an immediate connection through the power of the songwriting, and Sierra’s flawless approach to performance art. Playing just by herself, a simple fiddle accompaniment, or a full band, it didn’t matter. It all was rendered mesmerizing by the raw, yet refined talent of this young woman.
If you’re looking for a female version of Tyler Childers who embodies that Appalachian authenticity mixed with their own unique expressions, Sierra Ferrell is certainly a serious option. With the folks at Rounder behind her, the Paradigm Talent Agency handing her booking, and a seasoned manager in Dolphus Ramseur of The Avett Brothers fame in her corner, expect big things to be coming from Sierra in the future. And if her set at AmericanaFest 2019 was any indication, she deserves it all.
There are artists to watch out for, and then there are artists who everything seems to align for on their way to making music the right way. Sierra Ferrell certainly fits in that second category, and roots fans should be paying rapt attention.
Expect a new record arriving some time in 2020.
September 16, 2019 @ 11:08 am
It took me some time to get into this girl but she’s undoubtely talented and gifted. I only hope the “freaky/hippie/weirdo/devendra banhart” vibe that i sometimes get doesn’t get too much in the way.
September 16, 2019 @ 7:00 pm
Seeing Sierra Ferrell perform at AmericanaFest, she was nothing but the picture of grace in a full-length Colonial dress that you would have seen Loretta Lynn perform in during her early days. I didn’t sense anything “freaky/hippie/weirdo” about her, and I’m not sure why this has become a narrative about Sierra Ferrell. I’m not saying she doesn’t have an expressive side because she clearly does. But to be honest, I think it’s a reduction of her art to continue these discussions about who she is, as opposed to what she does. After seeing her perform live, I put the full weight of whatever my name carries behind her.
September 16, 2019 @ 7:39 pm
OMG. This one has it all.
Never heard of her before today.
Thank you for bringing her to the forefront.
She is dynamite!
September 17, 2019 @ 12:18 am
I didn’t mean it as critic to her dressing style or tatoos that i don’t really care about, i saw many live videos and got this “freaky” vibe sometimes which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.As i already said sh’e tremendously talented and i guess that get to see her live must be a full blast!
September 17, 2019 @ 11:16 am
Sierra is AMAZING.
I sincerely hope people who are well intentioned in the business, give her the platform she deserves.
She has talent in spades.
September 17, 2019 @ 4:48 am
so you hope she chooses to not be herself anymore so she can look and act how you think she should. That makes sense.
September 17, 2019 @ 5:36 am
I like her Adam, an original artist for sure. I was only selfishly wishing she’d stuck to a more trad country sound that i prefer…that said more power to her. And i blindly believe Trig’s words about her live performance being incredible.
September 17, 2019 @ 6:00 am
well said, thank you for replying to me after I was very blunt lol. but seriously, that says a lot about you and it is good. and yes, I wasnt to see her live now too! Have a good day, Daniele!
September 16, 2019 @ 11:32 am
I just discovered the Gems on VHS YouTube channel last week, and I’m addicted.
September 19, 2019 @ 9:58 pm
I love it too. Could watch videos off of it all night long.
September 16, 2019 @ 1:30 pm
My perspective: Maybe she’ll grow up- as in mature. The lyrics I listened to on you tube were good and I like the music- just not her voice- and “the freakie/hippie/weirdo” (thanks Daniele) is already in the way- she’s real hard to look at and take seriously- seriously. I noticed as of August 9 she’d gotten rid of the nose ring- but decided to streak her hair- and she doesn’t shave her arm pits- reminds me of the Renfest girls- not at all attractive. And no I’m not now, nor have I ever just closed my eyes and listened- of course I know she’s not trying to appeal to me- and conversely I’m not trying to give her anything and she certainly won’t get it from me either. So, it’s a win win.
September 16, 2019 @ 3:09 pm
Bring on the weirdos. That’s how it used to be. Artists used to be weird. For awhile there in the corporate era of music (where the only way to make money was through Apple commercials and the like) everything got too watered down and we ended up with the monotonous stream of perfectly fine but nothing special, play it safe artists of the early- to mid-2000s. Billie Eilish isn’t the phenom she is for nothing. The majority of the world is ready for something different. Also, the younger generations are fighting back against the conventional thinking that female artists in particular need to be “attractive”. Some people will be resistant to it, but that’s the way it’s heading. Amen. If Sierra’s camp plays its cards right, she could be mainstream big – well beyond the Americana world. It’ll depend on production.
September 17, 2019 @ 3:06 am
I find her attractiIve, and I like her music, so its a win win for me.
September 17, 2019 @ 4:47 am
I love your words, so damn true!! Preach it, Scott!! I love it when people are being themselves! Hell, this website wouldn’t exist if everyone was “normal, not different from what some say is the normal” because all of the country artists would be in Nashville! Saving country music is about the music of course but I feel like it is also a lot about the artist being themselves!! We have already went through all of this crap on another post the other week when everyone wanted to talk about how she is “different” well, duh, she is different because she is not you or me, she is her!!
September 16, 2019 @ 4:54 pm
Because how you dress/look really affects how good a song is.
September 16, 2019 @ 5:12 pm
Commenting on her nose ring or her hair isn’t really serious critique or commentary. She’s asking you to listen to her music, not date her
September 17, 2019 @ 12:31 am
Perhaps Maren Morris is more your type.
September 17, 2019 @ 4:04 am
DJ, no other way to put it…your simply an idiot. Nose ring? irrelevant. Hair streaks? also irrelevant. Armpit hair…Who gives a shit? Just think about that for a minute…your gonna decide if you like her music because of a lack of some arm hair??
I know there’s no dress code to listen to certain kinds of music but I’m starting to wonder if there’s one for the people who make it.
We’ve all got our character flaws…you have made yours obvious to the group.
September 17, 2019 @ 6:38 am
LOL- did you not see where I said My perspective? I liked her music I liked the lyrics, I didn’t like her voice- why do you skip over that part?- to me, the “art” is in the rendering not to be worn on your body- no other way to put it? LOL – My perspective- in case that escaped you- so don’t pretend you are some sort of superior being and have the authority to preach to me about what YOU like, therefore everyone else should as well- we’re all wired different.
I find nose rings distracting, she changed her hair color, while common is not my taste- she doesn’t shave under her arms and, to me, that is repugnant- it brings to mind, like I said, the Renfest girls, which I don’t find attractive- changing the way you look with crap stuck all over you is not being yourself as I find it hard to believe anyone arrived here with crap stuck all over themselves- it’s for attention- she got mine- unfavorably- IF somebody wants to be themselves, fine, be themselves- not some advertising for being an idiot- keep in mind, bub, one mans’s trash is another man’s treasure- your treasure ain’t mine-
September 17, 2019 @ 3:52 pm
Just curious, do you shave your armpits?
April 1, 2022 @ 8:19 pm
No, you’re just over-socialized like plenty now and before you. Real men and women can live in the wilderness without your bs and not subscribe to wokism or any other bs ideology or social rule crap. Humans have lived outside industrialized bs for as long as humans have existed. No one scared about arm pits and nose rings deserves a chance to say anything with a platform. Everyone under the sun now thinks their voices and thoughts should be heard. No, mf, you haven’t earn that right. You want an audience or a voice that people care to listen to, do your work. This woman is doing her’s and she deserves every bit of compensation she receives along the way. Go mop floors as a 40 year old plus.
September 16, 2019 @ 1:52 pm
One problem that I have noticed with a lot of these very talented independent females artists is that often their most impressive material is made up of youtube clips. While artists like Sturgill and Tyler introduce themselves to the World with a very raw sound that is refreshing, producers seem to really tr and sand the edges on females a lot of times. I am not sure why this is done a lot of times. Molly Tuttle is a great example of this to me, it seemed like they took away everything that made her great when they released her latest album. I am hoping htat they let Sierra ahve the cahnce to show what comes natural to her.
September 18, 2019 @ 3:15 pm
I tend to agree but these types of musicians just sound stellar live. I have many examples, Shakey graves, Tory Kelly, Molly Tuttle, Sierra etc… I just make it a habit to get off my ass and see them live at their best and support them by doing so. Some people just aren’t as good in the studio, it’s a completely different dynamic. A good example of someone who does both very well is Aurora BUT her music sounds very different in both settings.
September 16, 2019 @ 2:20 pm
Have you heard Charlie Marie? I think she’s another one that should be on everyone’s radar.
September 16, 2019 @ 6:09 pm
Yes, been pushing Charlie Marie hard and heavy since May:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/the-stunning-country-goodness-of-charlie-maries-rhinestones-ep/
September 17, 2019 @ 2:53 am
So I either actually discovered a new artist on my own or completely forgot that I read that article, probably the latter. Thanks
September 16, 2019 @ 6:16 pm
Why is it that the two articles I’ve seen about her here have both had multiple comments about how she looks and dresses? Get over it! She’s a beautiful, talented young artist, a great vocalist and songwriter! If you’re really so distracted by appearances and style of dress that you feel the need to say something, or that it affects you’re ability to enjoy her music, then move along.
September 16, 2019 @ 7:01 pm
It’s embarrassing these topics keep coming up here.
September 17, 2019 @ 12:25 am
Agreed Chucky, if Jamey Johnson decide to perform dressed up like HUlk i’ll stiil like him. No problem with her look…
September 17, 2019 @ 6:45 am
LOL- I believe this is an opinion forum. Right? If you feel the need to opine about what I should like, feel free to tell someone else- and Trigger, that you are embarrassed is telling- IMO- am I allowed that? Or is it too embarrassing?
Good lord the authoritarians flock together here- I swear to my time- land of the free- LOL- as long as you agree with others- hahahhhahahahahhaa
September 17, 2019 @ 7:37 am
No one is dictating what you can say, your opinion or what music you should like. This isn’t a free speech issue, hindering your freedom. It’s just kind of petty and hypocritical to focus on a female singers looks or style when that never comes up when discussing new male artists, especially to the extent that it would affect how their music is perceived. Say what you want, you just may sound like an asshole. No one’s stopping you. Go for it! But if tattoo and piercings are a deal breaker for some, they might wanna take a look at 95% of the independent male country artists out there on the road today before passing judgement. Or, just listen to the music.
September 17, 2019 @ 9:25 am
Bullshit. I call out the hipster fake guys that come up here all the time. Btw, I accidentally liked your post, do it’s not as popular as you think.
September 17, 2019 @ 9:46 am
If you don’t like how someone looks, don’t look at em. If you don’t like how they sound, don’t listen. She’s not hurting anything by doing what she’s doing, being herself and, in my opinion, she brings ALOT to the table with her music, style whatever. No need to “call out ” anything out at all. If it was you up there, putting your hard work and talent out there,getting a decent write up of your work featured in a reputable country music forum, just to have your looks, style or clothes picked apart in the comments, you might feel differently. It’s just petty and superficial and has nothing to do with what this article is about. But do as ya like…
September 17, 2019 @ 12:27 am
Talented lady, been checker her out for a while but don’t get the “female version of Tyler Childers” bit at all.
September 17, 2019 @ 1:21 am
Opps – been checking her out
September 17, 2019 @ 9:18 am
You will in time….
September 17, 2019 @ 4:13 pm
I hear a lot more influences in her singing, music and style than in Tyler’s which is more straight ahead.
October 13, 2019 @ 7:49 pm
tyler’s actually got a song loosely based about a night with her..
September 17, 2019 @ 10:22 am
Isn’t she THE Charleston Girl?
September 17, 2019 @ 1:49 pm
Nah, just a rumor
September 28, 2019 @ 9:09 pm
Not just a rumor. She has confirmed multiple times when asked that the song was written about her.
April 6, 2022 @ 10:11 am
No she hasn’t. She’s never said anything about it.
September 17, 2019 @ 7:03 am
What is the VHS youtube channel?
September 18, 2019 @ 7:35 am
GemsOnVHS – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com
September 17, 2019 @ 7:35 am
Its hard to wash the N’awlins homeless busker vibe off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir6LNccXZ0U
September 18, 2019 @ 7:46 am
That’s part of what I like about her… A free soul… Hank Williams would have been right at home doing what she does.
September 17, 2019 @ 8:20 am
She’s definitely talented and has a haunting voice but there’s something about this that strikes me as hipster-y folk nostalgia removed from any real experience. Part of what makes country country is the specific — references to actual people, places, everyday things people do. I get why people like it, but it’s not for me. Give me Ashley McBryde any day over this.
September 17, 2019 @ 9:11 am
…removed from any real experience.”
Sierra Ferrell is homeless at the moment. It seems to me a lot of the criticism of Sierra Ferrell is based on cultural side taking that is completely baseless, and frankly, alarming. I don’t want to come across as combative, but the wild-eyed assumptions about this young woman, and the shallow observances about nose rings and tattoos is completely ridiculous. Let her release an album, listen to the music, and then decide.
September 17, 2019 @ 9:39 am
Fair enough. Just giving my opinion based on the three songs I’ve listened to. Homeless or not, I don’t feel a connection to the music. I agree that the criticism of her appearance is off-base.
September 17, 2019 @ 9:47 am
Sierra Ferrell has not released an album yet, or even a single. Pulling shit up on YouTube is always perilous, and will not reflect on where her music will land once her debut album is released. This was a review of her set at AmericanaFest, not her YouTube videos.
March 30, 2020 @ 3:22 pm
Old article, I know, just was searching Sierra Ferrell on here and came across it. You said:
“Sierra Ferrell has not released an album yet, or even a single.”
She in fact had 2 albums released by the time this article was written.
March 30, 2020 @ 4:28 pm
I didn’t say that in an article, I said it in the 4th tier of a comment thread as a response to another commenter. For clarification, I was speaking specifically about how she has not released any music under her deal with Rounder, meaning the music that I witnessed while seeing her at AmericanaFest, and within the topic that was being discussed. Beyond that, if you go to Spotify, Apple Music, or any other major music retailer, Sierra Ferrell has no music available. This is on purpose so that her music with Rounder Records will act as her debut.
March 30, 2020 @ 5:47 pm
Didn’t mean to come across as punchy. Just wanted to clarify. You’re right, she would be a good artists to support on BandCamp at this time.
March 30, 2020 @ 4:42 pm
“I said it in the 4th tier of a comment thread as a response to another commenter.”
I’m aware, that’s why I responded specifically to that comment. She does have music on Bandcamp (independently released of course) in case anyone wants to support her in this time of no touring.
September 17, 2019 @ 11:33 am
Let’s be honest. If you’re homeless right now, its because of choices, not opportunities. I dont know what her motivation is for the old country style, but it doesn’t feel honest. It feels like appropriation the Social Justice Warriors like to bitch about.and attack conservatives for.
September 17, 2019 @ 11:46 am
My response about her being homeless had to do with the baseless claim that Sierra Ferrell hasn’t lived life and so can’t sing about it, as if she’s some trust fund hipster putting on an accent. She’s from poor West Virginia. Not sure why there’s so much distrust and outright anger directed at this young woman, and she hasn’t even released an album yet. If you don’t like her, that’s totally understandable. But goodness.
September 17, 2019 @ 12:05 pm
I don’t have any anger toward her. I don’t t believe this the best direction for Country Music. It’s been done, and done better. The hipster influence in Country Music will be worse than the shitty R and B weve been subjected to.
September 17, 2019 @ 1:40 pm
The point wasn’t whether or not this artist’s actual life was difficult. If having a hard life made somebody a good songwriter, well.. a lot more of us would be millionaires. Being able to communicate experience is a skill
Nobody cares that Johnny Cash was never an inmate at Folsom. Evan Felker doesn’t have a pretty, warbling voice. I don’t know how much time Tanya Tucker’s spent in Laredo, and it doesn’t matter. Yet they’re great songwriters because they can communicate experiences that people find to be uniquely true and meaningful and rooted in specific places and times.
I’m not sure what Sierra has to say that is uniquely true or meaningful, and a lot of people are noticing that there’s a kind of irony or affectation in her music we usually associate with hipsters. But I’ll check out her album.
September 18, 2019 @ 12:32 am
I see criticism but anger? And can someone please define “hipster”? That word seems so worn out to me. I see nothing “hip” about this woman. She seems more down to Earth than any of these assembly-line artists from Nashville. Let her put out some music and then judge. Some really silly comments about her.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:50 am
The direction country music has already taken is ultimately the worst case scenario. The most corporate, most sold out version of country music. Sierra isn’t just country music, her voice reflects 1920s jazz and swing and her band format now really sounds gypsy and jazz and old time.. so stick to your Jason Alden and leave the more complex, creative and raw sounds to us thanks in advance
October 4, 2019 @ 9:08 am
Sierra has created this style she has chosen! Life has definitely thrown her a few curves and yet she pushes forward. Her style comes from where she has been and where she wants to go. I hear some of the sadness she has lived in her songs, absolutely brilliant Sierra! She has come a long way from singing in church to here and now! Love you Sierra!
September 17, 2019 @ 9:16 am
couldn’t help listening to sierra and thinking about how her incredible vocal gift would have been an unstoppable force during the era ken burns has been looking at in ep 1 and 2 of his documentary . she is without a doubt a throwback in terms of her ability to emote and evoke emotion . i might like to hear a bit more focus in the writing ..lyrically and melodically ….but that’s , perhaps , just conditioning . she’s still far ,far more listenable than the generic stuff we’re subjected to by mainstream .
for me she has a gillian welch quality which invites you in to her space but in no way is going to spoon feed you .
September 17, 2019 @ 3:45 pm
This girl right here is 100% gypsy, make no mistake. If her appearance makes you uncomfortable, she did that on purpose. Don’t look her in the eyes! She might put a curse on you…
September 17, 2019 @ 12:25 pm
This lady isn’t even coming to my market but now I want to just order some concert tickets of hers just to counterbalance some of the comments on here. Goodness. What I’ve seen and heard from Sierra has me intrigued, and I trust this review enough to give her a listen when actual recorded music comes out and a visit if she does come to my town.
September 17, 2019 @ 1:15 pm
Are you serious?
That’s a pretty brash statement concerning anyone who is homeless, at any given time, in their lives.
I’ll bet a dime that she has bigger balls than a lot of people, for the life experiences she is already living.
September 17, 2019 @ 1:53 pm
It doesn’t take balls to be homeless. It’s a lifestyle. The people that camp out in our town park drinking beer and napping all day are definitely not courageous. Courageous is the person that wakes up every day, gets their ass to work that they dont necessarily want to do, in order to contribute to themselves and society. Homelessness isnt a badge of honor, but we have been working toward rewarding it with handouts. It’s an epidemic.
September 17, 2019 @ 2:11 pm
Let me just say that generalizations and blanket statements do not reflect everyone’s situation.
September 17, 2019 @ 3:05 pm
Which justification is at play here?
September 17, 2019 @ 3:17 pm
I just looked a her touring schedule. “Homeless” people don’t have shows booked in San Juan Capistrano and a dozen or so shows in Australia. She’s a 20-year old itinerant musician who will make more this year than most of us did at 20. Good for her, but the down-and-out claims are bullshit.
September 18, 2019 @ 4:32 pm
Not sure anyone claimed she was down and out.
I believe they were instead, making the statement that she is homeless at the moment.
Be that as it may, seems that she is tearing it up with her enormous talent.
I am very happy for her.
September 19, 2019 @ 9:45 pm
Just from looking around the internet/YouTube after watching the Gems on VHS video about 6 months ago, it’s easy tell that Sierra Ferrell has been putting in her dues and not really caring about being famous at all for the past 9-10 years. This woman has been riding around on trains and busking because she wanted to… certainly not down and out.
September 17, 2019 @ 5:03 pm
Trig, this is all very general in its praise. What do you hear that’s not hipster put-on?
September 18, 2019 @ 12:33 am
hipster put-on? Please define.
September 18, 2019 @ 5:16 am
I think that’s a loaded question.
September 18, 2019 @ 8:09 am
Really don’t understand why so many of you don’t like her… She appeals to the Tyler Childers / Ryan Bingham / Jason Isbell side of the music… Certainly different style than Jamey Johnson or Cody Jinks, both of whom are also good in their own right… I really like the breathy Appalachian style of her music. Consider me a fan.
September 18, 2019 @ 12:36 pm
The only thing freaky about Sierra is her talent. She is an extraordinary singer and songwriter, and having visited with her on several occasions….an absolute sweetheart. She blew me away the first time I heard her four years ago singing “Little Bird” and I’ve been tracking her ever since. The sky is the limit for Sierra and I DO believe she just may save country music!!
September 18, 2019 @ 12:42 pm
Love you Sierra! I’m rooting for you back here in the Mountain State! I’ve always been enamored by your voice. You’re going places and folks back home are proud <3 keep it up!
September 18, 2019 @ 12:58 pm
She is a shooting star. Let her be herself. She isn’t a female version of Tyler Childers. People need to stop with the labels and simply enjoy the original music of a true artist. Listen and stop comparing her to others and judging her by her style choices. Her voice is mesmerizing, to say the least. Nate is a fantastic violinist and adds to the spell that is cast over the crowd. Young and interesting..I dig it.
Peace.
September 18, 2019 @ 1:06 pm
So proud of you Sierra! You have always been a free spirit with a beautiful soul. Now the while world gets to hear it
September 18, 2019 @ 1:11 pm
Every once in awhile something catches my ear…the obvious Billy strings…Marcus king…and now Sierra…I love everything about her…authentic, great voice, refreshing songs…can’t wait to hear her album…go get em w va girl…
September 19, 2019 @ 3:22 am
This gig was like a breath of fresh air at the AmericanaFest….it was a joy to be there. Sierra, now she has signed with Rounder could be going places. I hope she keeps her quirky unique style. It was the first time I had seen her and band play live, having listened (and loved) both of her albums and she certainly lived up to all expectations and more!
September 19, 2019 @ 5:09 am
Love this woman. Her voice is really something else. I would love for her to maker her way into the Shenandoah Valley so I could see her live.
September 19, 2019 @ 5:10 am
She does have material of Bandcamp by the way. Would be a great way to support her if you like her stuff.
September 19, 2019 @ 9:57 pm
Here’s a short article that was written by Todd Snider in 2014 about discovering Sierra Ferrell on the street and making an album (never released??) with her:
http://magnetmagazine.com/2014/02/05/from-the-desk-of-hard-working-americans-sierra-elizabeth-ferrell/
September 22, 2019 @ 9:47 pm
Pretty Magic Spell. She released it last year, you can find it on bandcamp.
September 20, 2019 @ 12:35 pm
Maybe she’s the Charleston Girl Mr Childers was referring to? I kid, I kid.
September 20, 2019 @ 3:23 pm
I instantly Love her music.
November 15, 2019 @ 9:51 am
I agree she is dazzling, mesmerizing. In every way.
Problem for her is finding musicians that can accompany her properly. Not to insult the people I’ve heard playing with her, but she’s unique. As you said, old time country, / gypsy jazz, probably more influences than that, unusual combination, but part of what’s so good.
I like her music very much, but it seems the people playing with her, don’t quite get what she’s doing. Or just haven’t played the music that fits.
I would rather hear a solo album, but for now, lots of her on youtube performing solo.
Thank you very much for the intro to her.
November 30, 2021 @ 1:09 am
Sierra Elizabeth Ferrell, just doing her thing and helping save Country Music while doing it.
Sierra is Americana.