Emerging country artist Lakelin Lemmings is quickly establishing herself as one of the genre’s most promising new voices, blending traditional storytelling with a confident modern edge. Raised on classic country influences but unafraid to inject attitude and personality into her music, Lemmings has built early momentum through sharp songwriting, emotionally honest lyrics and a vocal style that balances vulnerability with quiet strength. Her debut EP ‘Get Around Boy' marks an important first statement, introducing listeners to an artist unafraid to explore themes of independence, heartbreak and self-worth while delivering melodies that feel equally suited to radio playlists and live stages.
With the release of ‘Get Around Boy' earning growing attention from critics and fans alike, Lemmings now enters an exciting new chapter as she prepares to take her music overseas for the first time. The rising singer-songwriter will make her UK debut this August at Country Calling festival, a milestone moment that reflects her expanding international appeal. As her profile continues to grow, Lemmings is positioning herself as part of country music’s next wave, pairing relatable storytelling with a fresh perspective that signals a bright future ahead.
Thank you for your time, Lakelin, we know how busy you've been having been out on radio tour. Is that as gruelling as people say it is?
You know, I just finished week 1 last week and it's been fun so far. Week 2 starts next week but it's been great. Somedays when you're waking up at 4am to catch an early flight to get to a station it can be a bit tiring but people have been so kind and, as of right now, I'm not feeling jaded by it!
I've never interviewed a Lakelin before. It's such a lovely and unique name – is there a story behind it?
There's a couple of places in the USA called Lakeland and my parents passed by one of those once and decided to put that name together with my sister's name. She's called Anderlin so they melded the two names together.
I think I've driven by the Lakeland in Florida – it's just outside Orlando, right?
Yeah. That might have been the one my name was inspired by and I also think there is one in Tennessee too.
I'm really loving the ‘Get Around Boy' EP. In a time where so much of Country music is pushing boundaries and blurring the genre I find your approach refreshingly engaging.
Well, thank you. I wanted to create music that was inspired by the music I grew up listening to but that was also modern and fresh and young sounding.
Our review described it as a ‘confident introduction.' Do you feel a sense of arrival now that it is out in the world or is this just the start of the journey ahead?
I've been writing songs since I was 12 years old and the oldest songs on this EP I wrote when I was around 16. To finally have them out in the world is so great but I understand that they are new to my fans and the rest of the industry too which makes them exciting all over again.
Let's go back a few years then – what prompted the 12 year old you to start writing songs?
I grew up in a small town in West Tennessee and I started performing and singing at festivals when I was around six years old. By the time I was 12 I was begging my parents to take me to Nashville so that I could start writing with the people there. There wasn't that many people that were prepared to write with a 12 year old but there was a couple and I really appreciate what they did with me. There was never a plan b – my parents knew that I was never going to go to college – so they always supported me in this.
The title track deals with ambition pulling two people apart in different directions. Is that a personal story for you or have you leaned into a bit of creative license there?
When we wrote the song it was kinda inspired by other people's stories and stuff that I had heard about but now than I am older and travelling a lot the love and heartbreak is something that I can relate to so I worry that I kinda manifested it for myself! (laughing)
Each track on the EP captures a different emotional space. From young love to faith to heartbreak to small towns and nostalgia. Was that variety intentional?
They are all very different and I knew I wanted that, to have a variety on there. This is my first project that I've put out into the world and I wanted people to see all the different sides of me. I wanted people to see that I don't just sing about love. It was very intentional – each song is very special to me and there is a lot of ‘me' in them!
My initial favourite was ‘American Dreamin' which is very uplifting and celebratory. Have you got a favourite song on there?
It kinda changes on my mood and the day. One of my favourites for a long time, experiencing young love and situationships was ‘What Are We Doing.' If you relate to that, you'll love that song. ‘American Dreamin' is one of my favourites too, it was my debut single for the record label and I kinda say that song is the story of my life, growing up in a small town and chasing my dreams.
When did you get an inkling that the label, Stone Country / Quartz Hill, were interested in you?
So, I signed a publishing deal when I was 17. Ash Bowers, my producer, had started working for the label and he introduced me to them. He was, like, ‘hopefully they will love you as much as I do!' I went in and met with the owners and sang two songs out of three for them before Benny Brown was, like, ‘I've heard all I need to hear.' (laughing)
Being part of Stone Country and Quartz Hil is a blessing.
‘Keep the Faith' is another strong song on the EP and must be a great song to sing live.
Singing that song is a really powerful moment in the set. A lot of my songs are fun or sassy or whatever but I can really be emotional on that song and lean into my faith side with it.
Are there are cornerstone cover versions that you love to sing in your live shows?
I've been covering ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California' out here on radio tour right now. I love that song, it's so fun to sing to the point where I've had people tell me I light up when I sing that song, that's because I love it so much! (laughing) One of my favourite songs of all time is ‘Strawberry Wine' so I love performing that one as well.
Where your parents Country music fans or did you just discover the genre by happenstance?
A little bit of both. My dad is a huge AC/DC fan so I had some of that but and my mom grew up in the 90s alongside boy bands and artists like Britney Spears so I have some of that in there as well. It was mainly the radio in the early 00s that suckered me in. They were still playing 90s Country but then artists like Carrie Underwood, Sugarland and Jason Aldean came along and hooked me in!
When you are writing a song are you driven by lyrics, melodies or does it change depending on the day, who you are with, the vibe?
It definitely depends on the day. Sometimes I come in with a title or a lyric but don't have a melody at all. Sometimes I will come in with a melody and will be all, ‘Well, folks, let's write something that fits this!' My strength is probably lyrics just because I grew up listening to so much music and was always fascinated by the lyrics. I'm still learning.
Was co-writing something you had to learn to do as well?
Yes! At first I was that shy that I don't even think I could have been counted as a writer on the songs! I just kinda stayed in the corner. As I got comfortable with it and started to write more and more with the same people it became easier and I started speaking up to the point where now, other writers are, like, ‘OK, you can be quiet now!' (laughing)
Is there one writer that you've bonded with more than anyone else to date? Someone who is your most trusted ‘go-to' person?
There's four or five different people – Ash Bowers, my producer. Neal Coty, who I wrote ‘American Dreamin' with, Mike Mobley who I wrote ‘Get Around Boy' with, Tim Owens, who wrote a lot of the early Sugarland and Brad Paisley stuff and then Nathan Woodard – they are my go-to guys! I've got an idea, meet me Friday!!!
The label turns round and asks you who you'd like to write with for the next project. Who's your bucket list writer?
A dream write would be with Liz Rose! I love all that early Taylor stuff, I'm definitely a debut album Taylor girl! (laughing) I'd love to get in a room with her and write something really good.
Let's put you on a big three artist arena tour where you are the opener. Who would be the other two artists on the tour?
Ohhhhhh. This is kinda crazy but I would love to open for Taylor, that would be insane. I'm really loving Cody Johnson right now – he has one of my favourite male voices in the genre. Ella Langley is also a favourite of mine too so there's the other two artists playing after me!
You are coming to the UK in August for the Country Calling festival. Will that be your first time over here?
Yes!!!!! It will. I'm hoping that we can do some other shows or even pubs around the festival too. That would be really cool. I'm really thrilled to be able to start making connections with UK Country fans, I'm so excited about it. It was one of my new year resolutions so that is one thing on the list I can tick off!
Tell us about the new or the next songs that will be coming down the line from you over the next year or two.
I'm currently finishing up my debut album! With the EP I wanted to have variety and I want that to continue. Leaning into the 90s and 2000s but lyrically being very modern. There will be a song for everybody on the album and I'm hoping we can get it out by late summer, maybe! Stay tuned!
Check out Lakelin's debut EP ‘Get Around Boy' in all the usual places and grab tickets to see her in August at the Country Calling festival right here.
