Featured Artist - Robert Adam

In handmade country couture, illuminated in rodeo crystal and sequin, Robert Adam crafts records with a reverent respect for traditional country music, while infusing an accessible, modern tone. Robert’s artistry was born of the country, a little west of Bonnyville, and that’s a truth no one can touch. Hailed for their angelic, inviting presence, Robert Adam is known for breaking barriers between generations. Follow Robert Adam on instagram.

Calgary’s “Dream Angel Cowboy,” Robert Adam blends their limitless imagination with stories of living . Whether it’s designing their outfit, graduating in heavy duty mechanics, or penning an alternative country queer love song, they are anything but one dimensional. Placing top 3 in Sirius XM’s Top of The Country competition, and amassing over 1,000,000 global catalog streams in under a year; Robert is undeniably a force to be reckoned with. 

“There are all kinds of people that come from the country but we’re just starting to see them now,” says Robert Adam. They continue to be a trailblazer with their upcoming full length album, Governed by the Seasons. Set to come out October 2025. Recorded at Saxman Studios in Nashville, the highly anticipated debut blends Robert’s visceral lyrics and emotive vocals to share stories of love and loss amidst the backdrop of the Alberta countryside. “I guess you could say I’m redneck raised with a rhinestone heart.”

1. What is the coolest show you have ever played? 

The best live show I have ever played, was at Canmore Folk Festival it was with my sister Heather May(an iconic folk singing fairy angel if you dob't know her) and my dear band mate Melody Stang (another literal icon). The sun was just starting to come up over the rockies because it was the AM slot, and the audience there was so lovely. It was just a set where I was allowed to express my sentimental side to a whole new level, we did three part harmonies and sang songs that meant so much to me. I am so thankful for all the rowdy rockin' country gigs I have played but my heart always just soars when I get to play stripped down and intimate sets. It was just a gig where I can go back to in my daydreams and relive over and over because it was just one of those sets where I felt do grounded and connected to not only the beautiful rockies but to all the beautiful people around me both on stage and in the audience.

2. How do you keep yourself healthy and happy working in music?

I drink alot of green tea, it's my life blood tbh. I also try and sleep as much as I can, because let's be real sleeping helps keep the face tight, the body right, and the soul light. I will be honest though as artists we all struggle with balance, I think innately artistic folks are so great at creating and powerfully delivering art but I do believe for what we are strong in comes with something we are weak in( in this case the balance between our careers, creativity and our overall self care). The reason why we are all so good at what we do is because of a natural imbalance that sets apart from how the normal world thinks and functions. As well a the fact that most artists are working a 'regular job' AND have to create, curate, develop, and perform their art with the remaining energy they can muster in a work day.  I think for myself acknowledging this and being aware of this has helped me develop better strategies to avoid burnout such as scheduling resting days, using affirmations when I feel guilty about doing nothing, and also more importantly listening to my body and mind when they tell me to take a break or slow down. I also think as artists we subscribe to the lie that to be relevant you constantly have to produce content, and I think that is a recipe for diminishing both your health and the quality of your art. I have found a more sustainable mantra for me is thinking about my music career as a long marathon and a journey rather than a daily lottery of becoming 'viral' for a day. It also gives you the freedom to say no to bad opportunities and offers that don't align with your overall goals and vision. Like let's normalize disagreeing into the shadow and living a little bit of a mysterious era to give the children exceptional art. 

3. What is the biggest challenge you've experienced in getting to where you are?

Money. Money. Money. I have always had the conundrum of not coming from a wealthy background but also having grand visions for my art. I feel like there are so many artists that agree with me when I say how frustrating it is to have so much to say, show, and present but it has to sit on the shelves of your mind for years until you can find the funding to execute it. That being said, not coming from wealth and having limited budget and resources for most of my career has made my very resourceful. It's because of this that I learned to design and sew my own stage outfits, write my own music, book my own shows, figure out how to run and in ear monitor system etc. I mean I have a bigger team now but doing things yourself, wether by necessity or not, develops knowledge that helps you choose the right team down the road as well. You know how things work so therefore you then know how effectively folks can do those things for you. So although I have felt held back by money, it did give me the gift of developing alot of skills that I may have not, if things would have been different. 

4. What is the best part of your life that isn't music related?

The people in my life. I am so lucky to have so many beautiful souls around me. People that inspire me with their stories, make me smile and laugh, and also make me remember there is so much light still left on this planet. 

5. What is the best advice you have been given in the music business?

Two things. 1. Algorithms and formulas are fools gold, but originality and craft are 24K. 
 2. Work hard not to get the record deal, but work hard so that you become so comfortable and confident in your craft that you can easily walk away from that record deal if it doesn't serve you. Nowadays there are alot of bad deals out there that don't want to help your career really in any way. Build your own value, forge your own path and make them come to you, rather then you going to them.