It’s been a whirlwind year for Sierra Ferrell. Last September, Ferrell won the Emerging Artist award at the Americana Honors & Awards, and just last week, she was nominated in three categories for the 2024 Americana Honors & Awards. Ferrell released her latest album, Trail of Flowers, on March 22, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut before embarking on tour in support of the album.

Despite all the attention, Ferrell stays grounded on her mission to be “a beacon of light” for people through her music. During a tour stop in the Twin Cities to play a show at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Ferrell and her band visited The Current for a studio session hosted by Jessica Paxton. Watch and listen to the full performance and interview, and read a transcript of the interview below.

Interview Transcript

Jessica Paxton: Hi, I'm Jessica Paxton, afternoon host here at The Current, and I am joined today by alt-country sensation Sierra Ferrell, who is here ahead of performance tonight at First Avenue and in support of her fantastic new album, Trail of Flowers. Sierra, welcome to The Current.

Sierra Ferrell: Thank you so much for having me.

Jessica Paxton: You have had an amazing year: you won the Emerging Artist award at the Americana Music Awards; you've made your Grand Ole Opry debut; you've released this critically acclaimed new album; Rolling Stone magazine has called you one of the "most fascinating and fast-rising stars in roots and country music today." And now you're headlining a major national tour, many of which dates are sold out, including here in the Twin Cities. First of all, congratulations. Second of all, does it feel a tad surreal?

Sierra Ferrell: Yeah, just hearing you go down the list of all those things. You know, sometimes we forget to be grateful and thankful for how things are going for us, especially like with the world, the way that it is, it's easy to get wrapped up and forget your accomplishments because it's a lot to carry around, you know?

Jessica Paxton: Well, you have had incredible success. But at the same time, I do think you are very grounded. And you do have a fascinating story and amazing trajectory. You know, talking about being on the road, you have certainly traveled the highways and the byways, and that is in your musical DNA: Originally from West Virginia, now based in Nashville, but along the way, a compelling story that sounds right out of a Hollywood screenplay. Maybe talk about how you got into music, what your original musical inspiration was, when you started making music?

Sierra Ferrell: Well, you know, music is just always been something that has just been in me. And it's just something that I knew that it was going to be a passion of mine in life, because it just have always brought me so much joy. And also it's just kind of been therapy in a lot of ways. I feel like I get to express myself, I get to release and process a lot of damage that people have done to me throughout my life, and continue to do in life, that's just how life is. And that's OK. And it's beautiful. It's chaotic, but that's kind of our job is to figure out a way to maneuver around it, to become better people.

Jessica Paxton: Well, and for people who maybe aren't familiar with your story, so you grew up in West Virginia, hard to make ends meet, left home relatively young and literally crossed the country hopping on trains, busking, turning alleys and street corners and sidewalks into your stage, busking to make ends meet. So music, always a passion, always a pursuit. Was it really survival but also potential career? Or was it just that thing that like, "This is this passion I feel within myself"? 

Sierra Ferrell: In that moment and point in time in my life, I do believe I was looking for something, perhaps; maybe even running away from something, maybe even running away from my own traumas, maybe running away from situations that were no longer serving me. And even on the road, I still feel like my ghosts found me. And although I will say that I am in a much better situation and position with like, you know, I no longer partake in drugs — well, California sober, but (laughs) — but you know, it's just something that I feel like, you know, we're all on our own journeys. And we're all going to make it to the top eventually. And it's just finding that route to get there. And success is so different in everyone's mind in like what it means to you or like what it means to me. And that's like something, too, like I try to focus on and talk about more of is, especially like with "American Dreaming," I like to talk about like, what is the American dream to you? Like what brings you joy? What is you know, something that can be sustainable in being a good person, being a better person, and also like being a solution to how society is being ran.

Jessica Paxton: I'm so glad you mentioned "American Dreaming." There is a lot of joy and positivity in your spirit and in your music, but you're also not afraid to hit on the heavy truths, and I wouldn't say perhaps that your songs are politically bent, but there's definitely a message there, and you're not afraid to point out the flaws in the world and maybe the scary stuff in the world, but approaching it in a way that is not pretending it doesn't exist. But also, like you said, working through it, surviving it, coming out on the other side, and then saying, "Hey, I have this resilience, I have this reflection, I have this ability to be reborn," using what you learned from that to rise above on the other side, which is incredible. And honestly, for a lot of people really hard to do.

Sierra Ferrell: Yeah, and it is pretty wild, because everyone's internal clocks just work differently. And, you know, we got people that that need people. Honestly, in general, we all need people at the end of the day. And it's finding that connection with people, and finding the best place to where your light can shine the brightest, and finding the right people to surround yourself with. And you know, that's like, a large portion of how we become people is our surroundings. Of course, we have to do our own work to figure out how to negotiate that as well. And energy is very real, and you know, like, our hearts talk to each other before we do. And so that's how that vibe and energy becomes a thing, where people are like, "Oh, I just get about energy or a bad vibe from that person," it's because our hearts already talked before we did. And sometimes it tells us things that we don't want to know, or like, wish we didn't didn't know.

Jessica Paxton: You seem to have this amazing connection with the spiritual and the natural world. And this, like, intuitive sense of communication. You were talking about how you will get goosebumps performing, but then your audience getting goosebumps and that — I just got goosebumps now, looking at you talking like this! — but that sense of like physical connection that you have, not only in your music, but in performance. And like you said, like, you have to feel these vibrations here in order for you to feel them there. Is that a big part of your songwriting process? I mean, you mentioned ghosts before.

Sierra Ferrell: Yeah!

Jessica Paxton: I love that. Do you believe in ghosts?

Sierra Ferrell: I definitely believe in supernatural experiences in life. It's very dumb and naive for humans to think that we know it all.

Jessica Paxton: I was gonna say it's dumb and naive not to think it doesn't. Yeah, absolutely.

Sierra Ferrell: It's also just so obvious that history has been altered and changed, and a lot of secrets are being kept from us, like consistently and constantly every day. I mean, it's a known fact. And we, I think, as a species, like we have so much more growth to do amongst the peons, the people, the working class, the people like us who are just like out here trying to keep the systems in place, perhaps because that's just how they are here. It's like, it's not our fault, the playground we're born into. It's just like, you know, it's like acknowledging the evil, finding a way to negotiate around it, finding a way and a place to be a light to help maybe perhaps be a guide for other people. And it's just like, you know, you can't beat someone to wake up. Like they have to wake up on their own. You can put it's like, you know, like leading a horse to water, you can't make a drink. It's just kind of like, maybe just perhaps be that beacon of light to help start a more positive solution instead of wallowing in sinful actions, which is so easy to do, like drinking and like lying, cheating, being not as good of a friend as you should be.

Jessica Paxton: I should be jotting all this down.

Sierra Ferrell: Yeah!

Jessica Paxton: Helpful hints.

Sierra Ferrell: I mean, a lot of times I say this stuff out loud, too, because like not only other people need to hear it, but I need to hear it myself. I think it's huge for people to take accountability of their actions, and rise above and just like... Yeah, you know, like society just makes does make it so difficult. And you know, like we're eating poison consistently, constantly. We're being showered in poison, we're being... There's just so much underlining going on. And it's like, it's our view on life, on what is shown to us is so surface level.

Jessica Paxton: I'm so moved by your words and your insight and, and again, that reflection, I think it's something else that you touched upon, which I think is really compelling about your music is that, I mean, look at you: You're like super cool and hip and fresh and new, but you embrace the past, you embrace things that — songs from 100 years ago — and paying tribute to old-timey music and Appalachian traditions. When I first started listening to you, I was immediately struck by sort of that high lonesome element, certainly hear that in "Fox Hunt" with the fiddle reel at the beginning of the song. But in talking about how society tends to almost, we tell the same stories generation after generation; we make the same mistakes, generation after generation; even a song like "American Dreaming" I think is so universal, because whether you're in your 20s or in your 70s, you can relate to the message of the song and feeling kind of downtrodden, but wanting to be hopeful, wanting to rise above, wanting to focus on the positive, wanting to focus on friends and family and bettering yourself. And so I think what makes your music, or one of the things that makes it so compelling, is that it does pay homage to the past while really looking forward. And is that like an intentional thing for you?

Sierra Ferrell: Well, you know, that that falls in line with the traveler community. I started traveling a lot more. And it's kind of funny how all these people who kind of live in this lifestyle — of course, there's always layers, there's layers to everything — but there's like a lot of people, it's like, they are living that sort of way because they know the systems in place are wrong. So they're kind of are like, leaning more into being a free human being, to actually experience life how we probably could be living it. That's like, something that I feel like it's so raw, and it's like, it's almost like these people are, some of these people are stuck, like, in another life, like where things were better and different. And it's like they, not only do they live that sort of way, but they like, their music is that sort of way. And it's just like, it's almost like maybe even perhaps a frequency thing, because like we all like kind of allude, like, we attract a lot of things, even the things that we don't want, because we're thinking about it. You know? And it's like, it might not come for months, years later, depending on how how much energy you're putting into that. I may seem like I come off like a very strong person, which at times I can be, but life is scary. And honestly, sometimes if it was up to me, I would just be home laying in bed, or like with my garden. Because people hurt me so much. And it's just, it could be heavy. And I know people hurt people all the time. And that's just what people have to go through. And it's like, we have to just keep being strong and moving forward, and just like do the best we can. And just, I like I like doing interviews and talking about this stuff because people don't talk about it and people don't talk about things that we really need to hear instead of talking about what they want to hear.

Jessica Paxton: So true. You know, I read something that you refer to yourself as "the most introverted extrovert" and I totally related. I was like, "I'm the most extroverted introvert." So I completely get that. And being excited about the things that you're passionate about, but also feeling sometimes like, I just need to crawl under the covers and you know, just escape. Do you feel though sometimes you get this added pressure, having like country music say, "She's the next big thing" or "She's saving country music." You know, are you able to separate the pressures of being who you are from the passion as an artist?

Sierra Ferrell: I definitely do feel pressure sometimes because I am a yes gal, so–

Jessica Paxton: I can relate to that!

Sierra Ferrell: Like you know, we forget that our body has limits, our spirit has limits, our emotions have limits. And it's like, we can only take so much. And it's like, you know, we spend the first half of our life getting all this trauma, and then we spent the second half of her life trying to fix it. So it's just like, also trying to heal yourself, but also trying to be this positive force. And in such a dark world, you know, so, I mean, it's, it can be heavy, but it's all worth it in a lot of ways. And you know, sometimes I even, just being able to connect and help so many people, even though I know I still have a lot of work to do myself, it like keeps me alive, it keeps me going.

Jessica Paxton: Seriously profound. I wish I could come up with better words. So much of what you say and talk about, it's funny how things that are so simple, at the same time are are so profound. And it's ironic that we as human creatures sometimes are unable to see that. The beauty of of just the simple connection and the beauty in music. And speaking of beauty, I have to say you're also like a total fashion icon. So not only do you have this great music that really does touch people in so many ways, but you know, the hair, the makeup. So one thing I was thinking about, I was like, you embrace the glitz and the glam of country, like old-time country music — the big hair, the sequins, the fringe, you know — but at the same time, being really down to earth and approachable and accessible and insightful. And so how do you mesh those two, like the many facets of your personality?

Sierra Ferrell: Well, like I said, we do all have limits. And it's like it's all really fun, and that's that's like one of my favorite parts — of course the music's always going to be, like, my heart and my passion — but like, the visuals is fun. You know, it gives you something to do, and like play with different things, like my hair's curly today, and I was like, "Oh, this is interesting and new!" And, you know, I feel like I've kind of gathered and collected some amazing, talented people that kind of just add their own flair to it, or they have great ideas. And, you know, I've even found like a handful of wonderful, beautiful seamstresses that have been making me like just wonderful, amazing costumes and outfits. So I've just been really thankful in that sense. And, you know, like, whenever we're out touring, it's like, you have all this time to kill. So it's like, why not just go ahead and like, try to look a little more sparkly or something!

Jessica Paxton: It's absolutely fantastic. And I think that's one of the things people really love about your live performances is, you know, the music, and like you said, you have this incredible band, and there's so much energy. But you also, you never know what she's going to show up wearing. And and again, the glitz and the glam, and the flowers! So that's one thing, like the title of the album, Trail of Flowers, again, that connection with the natural world and with the beauty around us. And a lot of the costumes I've seen you wearing are, you know, embedded with flowers and the idea of shedding flowers as you leave a space. What's your favorite flower? Do you have a favorite flower? 

Sierra Ferrell: It's funny, because a lot of people seem to think that my favorite flower is an orchid because they always get me orchids. My house is a graveyard.

Jessica Paxton: They're hard to take care of! Don't people understand that?

Sierra Ferrell: I'm also like, I feel like if I was home more, maybe, their chances of livelihood could be extended. And maybe if I had a greenhouse, it could be a little better too, because I know that they like a lot of like warmth, and they're very finicky, finicky flowers.

Jessica Paxton: Maybe that's the message, right there: You need a lot of extra attention. No, they're beautiful flowers. But I just, I loved the the imagery of flowers. And so I just love the idea of "a trail of flowers." And again, it's an incredible release. Critically acclaimed, you have this huge, headlining tour that's taking you all across the country. Is the tour going well? Any surprises? Any highlights? Anything that has sort of struck you like, what is this? How are you loving the Twin Cities?

Sierra Ferrell: It's been like a build, you know, over time. And I'm really excited. Seeing the visuals from the outside from where, I don't get to see it from out front until there's videos and whatnot. So it's been really interesting and fun to see the lights and the smoke, and just like the backdrops that, you know, that have been made. Kabuki is what it's called, which I think is also really cool. Also, we're learning the whole new record, we have a whole new record to kind of...

Jessica Paxton: Twelve incredible songs! Yeah.

Sierra Ferrell: So it's been, well, and it's funny though, too, because it's like, we have been playing some of those songs for a little bit. But we've kind of got to like dial it in and hone it in more. So it's been fun in that sense. And it's also just been fun to have more songs. And I'm really, I'm really excited to dial in more with like, the costumes, I love wearing, like, having different costume changes, and just getting the crowd all pumped and excited. And that's not, you know, alcohol induced all the time. And it's like, that's also a funny thing, too, you kind of like learn who your friends are, or you like start to lose friends when you don't drink. And you're like, What do I do now? I guess I'll just put on my phones, you know?

Jessica Paxton: Well, and that's one of the things I love about your story is that you do not shy away from talking about addiction and recovery and the challenges that can come with that, you know, most people might think, "Oh, I'm sober now. And my life is fantastic." Well, there's loss that comes with being sober and being honest about that. And again, I think that's something that people are really drawn to you and your music, because of that honesty and that transparency. So you know, obviously there's an age difference between you and I, but I feel like there's so much wisdom. You're like a deep soul and a wise old soul. And that transcends through your music, which is just really beautiful. So thank you. Well, it has been such a treat to have you here and to hear you perform three of the songs from the new album, Trail of Flowers. We wish you the very best with the rest of the tour, and please, please, please come back because I feel like I could talk to you for hours and hours on end. 

Sierra Ferrell: I thought we still had like another hour. I was ready! I like talking to you.

Jessica Paxton: Right back atcha. So let's do it again. Absolutely. Well, the new album, Trail of Flowers, is out now. You'll also be performing at the Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in June, I think June 29. Sierra Ferrell, thank you so so very much. And again, Trail of Flowers, out now.

Sierra Ferrell: Thank you.

Sierra Ferrell at The Current

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Songs Performed

00:00:00 Dollar Bill Bar
00:04:30 American Dreaming
00:08:45 Fox Hunt

All songs from Sierra Ferrell’s 2024 album, Trail of Flowers, available on Rounder Records.

Musicians

Sierra Ferrell – vocals, fiddle, guitar
Joshua Rilko – mandolin, guitar, backing vocals
Geoffrey Saunders – bass, backing vocals
Oliver Bates Craven – guitars, fiddle, backing vocals
Matty Meyer – drums

Credits

Guest – Sierra Ferrell
Host – Jessica Paxton
Producer – Derrick Stevens
Video Director – Derek Ramirez
Audio Engineer – Evan Clark
Camera Operators – Derek Ramirez, Megan Lundberg, Erik Stromstad
Graphics – Natalia Toledo
Digital Producer – Luke Taylor

External Link

Sierra Ferrell – official site