We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adeline Um. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adeline below.
Adeline, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I have always been a creative person; initially I was enrolled as a pre-professional dancer with the Boston Ballet and in my later teenage years, I found greater purpose in my music. I was a really shy kid growing up, often time during ballet performances my anxiety would take over and I would freeze like a deer in headlights. I still have anxiety dreams about that now. Music was the opposite for me, rather than freezing in fear, it empowered me to come out of my shell. It has always been a safe space for me to grow, create, and connect with others.
I first knew that I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally when I started writing my own music at the age of 18. I realized that all of the feelings and mixed emotions that I carried so heavily with me could be turned into something beautiful and relatable. It allowed for me to have open and honest conversations with those around me, and it provided a safe space not only for myself, but for others as well. Music is the only industry that has truly allowed me to combine my love for connecting with others and my love for expressing art in a personal and vulnerable way. It feels purposeful and authentic and it brings me so much joy!
Adeline, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi there! My name is Adeline Um and I am Korean American singer songwriter who started my music journey as a Berklee City Music scholar. I first started my songwriting career by writing my own indie-pop music and now I also write in the EDM/Deep House sphere as a topline singer songwriter. I have signed my music to independent labels such as Lowly Palace, NCS, Future House Cloud, LoudKult, Elysian Records, Adept Records, Tribal Trap, Afterpeak, OneSeventy, AESTHETE, and Magic Music and have received over 3 million plays on Spotify and 2 million plays on Soundcloud. I have been recognized by The Rolling Stone India and BBC Introducing and was a finalist in the top 2% at the UKSC (UK Songwriting Competition). I have also received significant radio play, some including the BBC Scotland, Amazing Radio, BBC Introducing Scotland, NTE Radio Ireland, and Boston 102.9 to name a few!
I have built a grassroots community, within a dedicated social media following, with over 20k monthly listeners on Spotify. I am keen for my music to support ongoing conversations about inclusivity and representation within the music industry.
Here are some of my most notable performances. From my early days with Berklee City Music, I performed the National Anthem at Fenway Park and the TD Garden. I also performed at the Grammy museum in LA for artists such as Lalah Hathaway. Last October, I went on a Sofar Sounds Tour along the East Coast, my most notable performance at the House of Blues Chicago. Most recently, I have been performing in both the UK and the US, with shows at the Hug and Pint in Glasgow, The Old Blue Last in London, Folklore Hoxton, Brewhemia Edinburgh, Pianodrome Edinburgh, Rockwood Boston, and the UnCommon Stage.
I am influenced by experiences, travel, love, and connections with family and friends. I aspire to perform music that speaks across the musical spectrum. As a Korean American who has lived in Scotland for a total of 10 years, I hope my music is able to express the complexity of culture and humanity, while connecting people of different backgrounds.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There are so many ways to support artists that don’t break the bank! Pre-saving your favorite artist’s songs before they come out, sharing their music to your personal social media, streaming their music, attending their shows, sharing music with friends, buying merch, etc. Every little gesture makes a difference! Also, it is so helpful when friends connect you to other creative people in the industry. Creatives often don’t stand alone in their craft. For example, musicians collaborate with photographers, videographers, producers, makeup artists, stylists, etc. so there is a lot of crossover within the creative industries. Having personal connections is so helpful in creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
One of the most beautiful things about being a songwriter is the opportunity to share life with people, meet up for coffee, walk alongside one another and then getting to go home and turn those stories and shared experiences into song. It’s a beautiful life I get to live and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adelineummusic.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adelineum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adelineum
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/@adelineummusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/adelineum
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@adelineum https://www.soundcloud.com/adelineum
Image Credits
Jemma Dodd (first two) Eilidh Harbison (middle one) Maseo Refuerzo (last one)