We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christine Lam, also known as indie artist Faerie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christine below.
Christine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
It’s always a risk when you decide to dedicate all your time and effort to your passion project. Is it going to work out? Is it worth all my time and money? It’s honestly scary, especially as a creative, but I knew I wanted to work in music since I started collaborating with other musicians in 2016. This is when Faerie was born. It was the first time I felt like people wanted to hear my stories through my music and that it could turn into something really special.
I took a risk when I decided to tell my parents I wanted to study music, including the music business, in college when they were expecting me to be in the medical field. There were many questions about how I’d find a stable job in this field and if it would be worth it. These questions and doubts clouded my mind for so long. I spent many nights in my dorm wondering what I was really doing with my life to be honest. It was until I stepped into a room with like-minded individuals who were as passionate about music as I was. I still remember the overwhelming feeling of belonging. It was actually emotional because I never thought I’d be steps away from living my dream.
Eventually, I started taking songwriting courses, and realized I might be able to actually make a living writing music for myself and others. I learned so much about production and songwriting! It was great to hear positive feedback from a classroom filled with fellow musicians. I was motivated to keep writing and to focus on finding my sound. That’s when I decided to put some money into setting up my own website to properly advertise and showcase my work. It was so exciting! I finally believed I could make money from something I’m truly passionate about. From then on, I networked with so many indie musicians from around the world and helped them bring their songs to life with my lyrics and vocals.
In 2020, I decided to take another big step into my music career by investing money into hiring a small team for my solo project as Faerie. I was anxious about it because it involved spending a lot of money when I didn’t have much to begin with. I went back and forth about this, but I realized it’s 100% worth it when you have a dedicated team of emerging creatives that believe in your work. I always loved supporting and collaborating with smaller creatives, and I thought the start of my solo project was the perfect opportunity to reach out. I met so many lovely and talented people along the way. All of that led me here with my new team of 9 (the most I’ve ever hired) and 2 singles with 5,000+ listens on streaming sites combined within less than a month.
I plan on having an EP release by 2023, which definitely takes a lot of work on top of working a day job. Am I still scared of taking risks? Of course! Not all of these risks had a positive outcome. It took years of failing and learning to get me where I am today. There were times I worked with creatives who didn’t align with my vision, and it was tough! These risks, whether it’s big or small, can make an impact on your career. It’s not always going to be easy, but I have to remember success always comes with risks.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Faerie emerged from the depths of my mad and unruly mind. As Faerie, I’ve written and recorded music for 6 years as an independent singer-songwriter. I was born and raised in New York City, which gave me the opportunity to connect with talented music professionals in the Big Apple and beyond. I grew up trained in Broadway, jazz, and folk styles. My newfound love for indie pop, electronic, and psychedelic sounds led me to write my upcoming 2023 EP.
It’s been super exciting getting to work with a diverse group of more than 30 creatives over the 6 years I’ve been doing this! This includes LA producer and singer-songwriter Matty Bedrosian (aka Yummm), Texas-based singer-songwriter Christian Young (aka ImTrying), Canadian producer and singer-songwriter Jonathan Atkins (aka wavcat), Mexico-based visual artist Camila Espinosa, and UK-based band The Diskettes. I’m forever grateful for the people I’ve crossed paths with so far. Looking at Faerie as a business, my mission has always included supporting a diverse group of emerging creatives. It’s so important for me to focus on this while hiring my team.
As a freelance singer-songwriter, I use my degree in Arts Administration to help further my career. This industry is evolving and it’s always important for me to stay on top of trends as much as possible to get my name out there. I’m also very passionate about helping aspiring artists get started by offering my advice based on past experience and education in the music business. I’m always welcoming anyone to reach out via social media or email!
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes, definitely! There are so many online and in real life communities that compose of like-minded individuals who share the same passion for music. I wish I knew about groups like Women In Music and Girls Behind the Rock Show when I first started out. I’ve joined their events, Facebook groups, etc. once I heard about what they do for the music community! There are some awesome free resources on YouTube, Discord, and Reddit that are actually super helpful when first starting out. Even Coursera and LinkedIn have some cool lessons focused on music creation. When I first started, I kind of just did everything on my own and figured things out either by asking other musicians I worked with or Googled when needed. I love suggesting these types of resources to emerging musicians.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative would have to be when listeners reach out to me either saying how much they relate to a song or asking advice on how to get started as an artist. It just means the world that something I wrote or sang about resonated with someone and possibly helped them express certain feelings they’ve been keeping inside, you know? I also love being able to help someone get started in their creative process and hear the outcome of their project. It makes me feel so proud of them and touched that someone first viewed my work and thought I’d be worth reaching out to for help. To everyone who has listened to my music, slid in my DMs asking for advice, shared or commented on my work- I’m forever thankful for you. Thank you for making me feel like all the risks I’ve taken were worth it no matter how big or small of an impact I made on your life as a music listener.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cthefaerie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cthefaerie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cthefaerie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinejlam/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cthefaerie
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/Faerie21
- Other: Bandcamp: https://cthefaerie.bandcamp.com/releases Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4kGFQZ0RuDoBFSBYzF0qJl?si=IeO7_Yu2Q6KfZtLg8tpW-A Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/faerie/1508621073 iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/faerie/1508621073 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/cthefaerie
Image Credits
Photoshoot Photography: Ciara Nicdao Cover Art Design: Brian Scagnelli