Adeem the Artist, a non-binary musician hailing from North Carolina, discovered the transformative power of music at a young age, surrounded by the popular country tunes of the '90s and early 2000s. Growing up in a region steeped in musical tradition, Adeem sensed that music could convey a worldview and serve as a vessel for cultural exploration.
As they journeyed through adolescence and their family relocated north, Adeem experienced a period of alienation, feeling compelled to distance themselves from their roots. This journey led them to explore various spiritual communities, eventually immersing themselves in evangelical Christianity and becoming a performer of devotional music.
However, Adeem's path to self-discovery and acceptance took them on a winding road. After returning to the South and starting a family with their wife, they grappled with their identity and the cultural legacies that shaped them. This journey of self-reflection and growth culminated in Adeem's 2021 album, ‘Cast Iron Pansexual.'
‘Cast Iron Pansexual' garnered acclaim within the emerging community of queer roots music enthusiasts. Adeem's distinctive sound, characterised by shaggy charm and a blend of DIY and old-time string band sensibilities, resonated deeply with listeners.
Building on the success of their debut album, Adeem continued to evolve as an artist with the release of ‘White Trash Revelry.' This collection showcased their keen songwriting abilities and was delivered over spirited, full-band arrangements. Just read the liner notes to ‘White Trash Revelry’ and you won’t fail to be moved. An ex cruise ship entertainer and wanna-be pastor, Adeem’s ability to connect with Southern themes and write sharp, impactful lyrics make them one of Country’s most ‘cutting-edge’ artists. Their dedication and talent caught the attention of Thirty Tigers, a powerhouse indie outfit, who ultimately released ‘White Trash Revelry' to a wider audience. New album ‘Anniversary' is also a Thirty Tigers release, out today, May 3rd.
Recorded live to tape over five days at Nashville's The Butcher Shop, the collection, which is doused in empathy, humour and deep introspection, features contributions from a top-tier group of musicians, including Megan Coleman, Nelson Williams, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Katie Pruitt and more. Blending the classic and contemporary with the commercial and experimental, ‘Anniversary' sees Adeem the Artist playing with various musical stylings with a constant Country meets Folk / Roots thread tying it all together. The album was produced by the legendary Butch Walker (Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, Adam Lambert, P!nk), who served as not only the producer but also inspiration. “I was completely consumed,” Adeem expressed, reflecting on Butch Walker's 2008 album, ‘Sycamore Meadows.' “As a Christian worship pastor grappling with doubts, the introspective exploration of religion and soul-searching that Butch conveyed in that album resonated deeply with me.”
‘Anniversary,' is a multifaceted exploration of love, relationships, social commentary, and personal introspection. Each track on the album offers a unique sonic experience while delving into poignant themes with poetic lyricism and heartfelt melodies.
‘Part & Parcel' sets the tone with lush instrumentation and introspective lyrics that weave intricate narratives of life's interconnectedness. Adeem's ability to craft vivid imagery reminiscent of Adam Duritz's (Counting Crows) storytelling prowess shines through, creating a captivating listening experience.
‘There We Are,' kicks off the album with a bang as we find a mixture of sounds akin to Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Counting Crows jamming on an uptempo, poetic treatise on love, relationships and desire. It's an atmospheric, darker uptempo guitar driven romp that segues effortlessly into ‘Nancy,' a catchy, melodic, lighter look at the things people do in relationships, love and lust. “We’re just trying to find a way we can feel a little free,” Adeem sings, touching on all the ways he and his wife get off on each other. They have a “Predilection for climaxing at the same time,” Adeem reveals, worrying they are going to wake the sleeping person referenced in the title! Think mid west Americana vibes here, like the Wallflowers and Counting Crows, with some delightful piano flourishes adding an extra layer of melody and depth.
Tracks like ‘One Night Stand' and ‘Socialite Blues' delve into themes of queer love and societal expectations, showcasing Adeem's vulnerability and authenticity. The juxtaposition of tender acoustic folk melodies with punkish, guitar-driven anthems adds depth and dimension to the album's sonic landscape. In ‘Socialite Blues,' they blend a timeless Piedmont Blues chord progression with vibrant New Orleans-style horn arrangements, resulting in a captivating sound that invites listeners to sway to the rhythm and tap their feet. Lyrically, the song celebrates the joys of staying indoors, enjoying good music, and recharging one's social batteries with a special someone. Initially apprehensive about recording the track, Adeem shared, “It's fascinating to compare the early country versus Piedmont blues and see how race has been used to define genre boundaries.” Despite initial uncertainties, they continued, “My family settled in the lower Piedmont region, so I've been increasingly drawn to its music. I'm striving to connect with my sonic heritage in the area.”
Elsewhere, ‘Nightmare' stands out as a poignant critique of Christianity's treatment of queer individuals, with Adeem delivering biting yet poetic lyrics over explosive instrumentation. The track's raw energy and thought-provoking lyrics make it a standout moment on the album. ‘Suppose some senators decide your worship is obscene?’ They sing, unsure of whether they should teach their kids in secret in this Counting Crows ‘Angles of the Silences' meets Green Day-leaning guitar-fuelled romp. Social commentary is also the order of the day on ‘Plot of Land,' which is another uptempo, punkish Midwest rock song driven by urgent drums and rock n roll guitars that dwells on the bleak nature of modern life and how hard it is to make something out of it for ourselves. “I’m gonna find us a plot of land with a little house to put a family in,” Adeem states on this blue-collar, working class Springsteen-esque anthem. “There’s senators in every state seeking new bigotry to legislate,” they sing before a lengthy, final third, guitar rock n roll outro evokes the greats like Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Personal introspection rises to the fore on tracks like ‘Wounded Astronaut,' which is a restrained, tender acoustic folk song that finds Adeem exploring his past behaviours and “childhood dysfunctions” as he apologies to “the women I have loved and the wounds I’ve left behind.” A haunting folk song with plaintive steel guitars and some delightful piano flourishes, ‘Wounded Astronaut' is another rich sounding, lush song with fascinating, poetic lyrics. “Finally got myself a therapist,” they sing, comparing themselves to the wounded astronaut of the song's title.
Similarly, that juxtaposition of melody and lyrical intelligence defines tracks like ‘Rotations' and ‘White Mule, Black Man,' as they offer introspective reflections on parenthood and social justice, respectively. The former is another acoustic song with Bob Dylan meets Johnny Cash overtones as Adeem sings and speaks lyrics about the number of rotations of the earth they are going to get with their kids. “All the laughter and the longing, sunsets and early dawnings….bad jokes and silly drawings,' are considered as Adeem implores the children to take their spirit with them when they are gone. ‘White Mule, Black Man,' meanwhile, is a fascinating acoustic folk song about the history of Knoxville and the myth of how a white mule’s death apparently cursed the town. Adeem goes on to detail the deaths of various black men in the town over the years and decades since the myth began and states how “the Tennessee river runs red with blood.” They also ponder how “a white mule’s curse means more than the last words uttered by murdered black men!” It's a simple, haunting story, beautifully told in sing-speak fashion.
Adeem's ability to seamlessly blend folk, punk, and rock influences results in a dynamic and compelling collection of songs that resonates on both an emotional and intellectual level. ‘Anniversary' is more than just an album—it's a testament to their artistry, compassion, and unwavering commitment to storytelling. With its rich sonic textures and thought-provoking lyricism, the album solidifies Adeem the Artist as a formidable voice in contemporary music.
Tracklist: 1. There We Are 2. Nancy 3. Part & Parcel 4. One Night Stand 5. Nightmare 6. Wounded Astronaut 7. Carry You Down 8. Socialite Blues 9. Rotations 10. Plot of Land 11. Night Sweats 12. White Mule, Black Man Release Date: May 3rd Record Label: Thirty Tigers Buy ‘Anniversary' right here.
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