A country artist known for blending traditional sounds with modern storytelling, Robert Adam is a dynamic voice in Canada’s music scene. In 2017, Adam released their debut EP, Prairie Gold, featuring the track “Rocky Mountain Lot,” which secured a spot in the top 10 of the Canadian Songwriting Competition’s country category. They originally hail from Bonnyville, in eastern northern Alberta.
“I’ve always known I was supposed to be a singer and a musician,” they say. Now based in Calgary, Adam is preparing to release their full-length album, Governed by the Seasons, fresh off a top-three finish in SiriusXM’s Top of the Country, a national talent search spotlighting emerging Canadian country artists. They are also gearing up for their first tour in Japan. Like their music, their story is one of reinvention and emotional honesty.
FROM DIESEL TO DREAM ANGEL
“I went to SAIT and did their diesel equipment heavy-duty mechanics program. I did pretty well in it, but it took me a while to find a job because COVID happened. Also, people who look like me don’t usually work in that kind of industry. There were some nice folks, but also some awful ones who really didn’t want me there.
“I’ve always known I was supposed to be a singer and a musician. I was just waiting for the right opportunities to line up. Now, I do a bit of serving at a restaurant for extra cash, but music is finally becoming a real source of income. That makes me so happy.”
MUSIC AS A SAFE PLACE
“I was always surrounded by music growing up. My family was religious — we went to church every Sunday. I started playing piano and singing in church when I was around 12.
“But I think I got into music because so much of my life didn’t make sense. I’m a non-binary person who’s attracted to men. Being born male and feminine in a small town was not considered ‘normal,’ and nobody understood it — including me. I was a fundamentalist Christian and believed all the feelings I had were wrong.
“Music became a way for me to process all of that — to feel safe, to ask questions to the universe, to God. Over time, I realized that music wasn’t just for me; it was for other people, too. I’ve seen so many unexpected people connect with my stories.”
THE SOUND OF SELF
“I’ve always felt like I wanted to be a kind of guardian angel for my listeners — to help people feel seen and safe through my music. I’m also influenced by magical girl anime like Sailor Moon. She always leads with kindness and compassion, even against evil, and that stuck with me. So ‘Dream Angel Cowboy’ became [my] nickname — a mash-up of anime and country-western.
“I’ve made a conscious choice to look the way I feel inside — and that shows up on stage, too. People get a lot of different energies from me — femininity, masculinity, softness, and strength. My stage presence has been described as charismatic and elegant. I love dancing, sparkle, and fashion.
“I also design most of my outfits. A lot of inspiration comes from nature and celestial imagery. I’ve created over 25 full looks now.”
MODERN COUNTRY
“I listen to a lot of old country music. I love how it was recorded, all the depth and colour you could hear. We try to bring that feeling into a modern studio.
“Lyrically, I’m modernizing things by telling real stories from a queer rural perspective. A lot of country music today is about beer, trucks, and chasing blonde girls in Daisy Dukes — and if that’s what you like, that’s fine. But I feel like the deeper stories have gotten lost.”
SIRIUS XM COMPETITION
“It was wild. I honestly didn’t expect to get in. We made the top three. I was the first queer person to ever make it that far, and that really meant a lot.
“[SiriusXM] took us to Nashville to play CMA Fest, to Montreal to perform at a huge festival, and introduced us to so many industry people. It changed my career.
“Also, Sirius XM started playing my songs, and satellite radio pays artists really well. So it gave me financial support too. And they were so kind to us, [they] treated us like gold. It was eight months long, but worth every minute.”
“SWEETHEART” WITH HEATHER MAY
“Heather is my sister, and a very introverted artist. She has her own style and never compromises it, which I admire. The song is about our mom, Arlene, who’s just the kindest person you’ll ever meet.
“I’d written the song a while back, and when I knew I wanted to record it in a more folk style, I asked Heather to sing it with me. We hadn’t performed together in a while, and it felt special. Our grandma always dreamed of us being a sibling singing group, so this was our little way of honouring that.”
GOVERNED BY THE SEASONS
“ [The new album] is coming out in October! Then I’m going on a tour of Japan. There are songs about my grandmother, about faith, and about the seasons — nature can tell us so much about life if we pay attention.
“I want this album to show both my vulnerable and my strong side. I want to invite people into my world. A lot of people see me and assume I’m just a gimmick — like, ‘Oh, it’s all rhinestones and sparkle.’ But once they hear the album, they’ll see how deeply I think about my art, emotionally and spiritually. It’s not superficial for me; it’s sacred.”
QUICK TAKES
Biggest inspirations:
Karen Carpenter, Shania Twain, SZA, Heather May
Dream Collabs:
SZA, Chappell Roan, DJ Zedd
Advice to aspiring musicians:
“As soon as you can get help, do it. Burnout is real, and it hurts your art.”
“Find mentors. Reach out to older artists who’ve been through it.”
“Never sign a contract without taking it to a lawyer. That’s especially true with managers or booking agents.”
This Q&A was created as part of a collaboration with Arts Commons.
Robert Adam will perform at Blue Jay Sessions on May 8 at The Prairie Emporium. To see and listen to Robert Adam’s works, visit robertadammusic.com or Instagram @robertadammusic
