Country Music Has Always Been Home to Bella Lam
Bella Lam is a Tennessee girl through and through. She takes inspiration from her hometown, her parents and her favorite country music singers to create songs like “Bootfirst” and “Take It Out on My Guitar” that encapsulate all the powerful emotion country artists wrote about before her. She gives back to her community through charity shows and events, and makes sure she never forgets where she came from!
Where are you from?
Born and raised in Tennessee! I was born in Nashville, raised in a small town outside of Memphis called Jackson, and graduated high school in Chattanooga!
How has your hometown influenced yourself and your art?
Well, I grew up in Jackson, TN. Between the Capital of Country Music and the birthplace of Rock N Roll on top of a hub of Blues and Soul Music. I was always exposed to different types of music. Jackson itself was the home of Rockabilly.
I think growing up constantly surrounded by music, both in location and in family, was a huge advantage to me and part of the reason why I wanted to pursue it in the first place. But it also kept me as a sponge, wanting to soak up as much as I could, all day every day. It was a massive influence on me and my music. It’s really part of who I am.
What inspired you to get into music?
I was raised in an extremely musical family. My grandpa played the violin and piano, my dad plays every instrument you can name, my siblings and cousins all play instruments. So I was always sort of surrounded by it, it’s always been my first love!
How would you describe your sound/genre of music?
I’d say country music with lots of electric guitar. I grew up with a mom who always listened to classic country, and a dad who always listened to rock and heavy metal. I think you can definitely hear their influence on my music.
What does country music mean to you?
It’s home. I mean, I was born and raised in Tennessee. I’ve always been surrounded by it. I grew up feeling comforted by the sounds of classic country music. It really is home!
Who are some of your biggest inspirations for your sound and storytelling?
Oh my goodness, Megan Moroney, Ella Langely, Loretta Lynn, Lainey Wilson, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert … The list goes on and on!
Your latest single, “Bootfirst” dropped June 26. What does this song mean to you?
I’ve always been an all or nothing kind of person. I either jump in without thinking or hesitate and overthink before doing things. I won’t lie, it’s gotten me into some trouble before, but it’s who I am. I was raised by a careful dad who always has a plan and a southern mama who is all in all the time.
I like to think I’m the perfect mix of both of them. “Bootfirst” is me pouring that out into song, sort of saying “Hey, this is who I am. If you can’t handle it, then you can’t handle being with me.” In a fun summer anthem-y way of course!
What do you hope audiences’ biggest takeaway from this single will be?
Really to live life with no regrets. Make that scary leap. Do the thing you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the guts to. Live and live fully!
What was your creative vision for the “Bootfirst” music video?
I had told my director, Karl, that I wanted it to be a super fun, super colorful pool party! And did he deliver! The storyline and staging was all him, but he definitely took my vague idea and turned it into something I’ll cherish forever! My number 1 goal was for the fans to feel how much fun we had on set, and make them want to make their own summer plans to blast “Bootfirst” to! It was genuinely such a good time!
“Take It Out On My Guitar” is a super fun song! What is the story behind it?
The title was actually very Taylor Swift inspired. She has a line in her song “Lover” that goes “with every guitar string scar on my hand” which made me think about how my hands get real banged up and ugly when I play my guitar.
That led to me thinking, “Well, my words can get real ugly when writing a song too.” I really do take it out on my guitar when I write. When I took the title to my co-writers Lauren McLamb and Chris Rafetto, we came out of that session with a bad-ass girl country anthem about wrecking him on the radio instead of keying his car.
Love the larger than life guitar and amps. What inspired this direction for the music video for “Take It Out On My Guitar?”
When we were brainstorming for the video, my director Karl Weidmann saw one of Zach King’s force perspective videos and that’s sort of what sparked the inspiration for the big guitar. Then we had to take it out on the guitar, so fire was the obvious conclusion there.
You have worked with many local organizations that benefit everything from mental health awareness to fire relief aid and park protection like Concert for a Cause Chattanooga and Playing in the Parks. Why is mental health an important issue for you?
I think when it comes to mental health, a lot of people just suffer in silence. I think that showing people that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that there are so many others that have struggled with what they’re going through, and got through it really helps. Also giving them access to resources to help them through it.
You have performed at many different charity events, including Tunes for Kim, a fundraiser benefiting a local sound engineer; the Hackler House Fire Benefit; Playing in the Parks, which raises funds for Chattanooga’s park system; and The Trough Benefit, helping save a beloved local business after the owner’s passing. Why is it important for you work partner with these organizations and events?
I wouldn’t be at the point of my career that I’m at today without Chattanooga and its music scene! There are so many people I could just sit here and start naming that if it wasn’t for them taking a chance on me and my music, I wouldn’t have played my first shows and really gained that experience needed in this industry.
If it wasn't for the people of Chattanooga, showing up to show after show, and continuing to support my career and my music, I wouldn't have gotten the opportunities I’ve been so blessed to have gotten. So many locals come to every one of my Chattanooga shows and continue to show up years later.
Whenever Chattanooga needs me for a fundraiser or event, I'll never turn it down. They were with me when I was nobody, and I’ll be so grateful forever. If playing a show can make a difference in people’s lives and in the community, then I’ll play that show every time.
You have also volunteered your time performing for children at YMCA Summer Camp. Can you tell us a bit about that experience?
That was SUCH a fun one! I was so honored to be asked to come in and teach them about country music! I think just seeing the joy on their faces when I started singing, and them joining in. It reminded me why I love what I do. Bringing joy and adding just a little of my sparkle to make someone's day just that much brighter.
How can music heal people and bring them together?
I think just being able to relate to someone else’s story. Seeing that you’re not alone in good times and bad. There’s just something so therapeutic about that sense of community with people you may have never met! I’ve met some of my best friends because we liked the same artist. I aspire to make a community where my fans can do the same.
It has been a crazy last few years, and we expect at least three more. How do you stay positive in general about the unknown and motivated as an artist?
Every time I have a hard day or I’m so exhausted I feel like throwing in the towel. I think back to the little girl from Jackson, TN, who dreamed of doing what I do every day. She’d be shocked and so ecstatic if someone told her down the line she was doing the dang thing! I do it for her and for every little girl who has big crazy dreams.
What can we expect next from you short term in your career?
So much fun stuff that I can’t tell you about quite yet, haha. I’m so beyond excited to get it out in the open though. Big things, I promise!
What is your motto in life?
Dolly once said “Don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life” and that’s something that I’ve always sort of kept close. I can’t write good songs if I don’t live a little!
To learn more about Bella Lam, please check out the links below:
Stream "Bootfirst" here
"Bootfirst" music video here
Website: bellalammusic.com
TikTok: @itsbellalam
Instagram: @itsbellalam
Photography Credits: Joey Schrader
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