Sierra Hull talks about her new bluegrass music and shares her future plans

Sierra Hull. Photo Credit: Bethany Brook Showalter and Spencer Showalter.

Bluegrass artist Sierra Hull spoke about her new music, and she shared her future plans.

Song selection process for the new album ‘A Tip Toe High Wire’

On the song selection approach for her new album, “A Tip Toe High Wire,” she said, “The song selection process for this album was a combination of things. I am always writing a little bit, and I do think on the heels of ’25 Trips,’ it came out right at the beginning of the pandemic.”

“Back then, my whole tour cancelled and that was my last album as part of my contractual obligation for Rounder Records,” she noted.

“I felt like I was in a place where I could go into creative mode but not in that time we were all given. I didn’t have an urgent pressure to have to create anything in particular, or do it in a specific timeline,” she explained.

“Like a lot of folks, I ended up writing and creating around that time. I assembled a band to finally play the music from ’25 Trips,’ and that was the first full band I had in a while,” she admitted.

“Our ’25 Trips’ album was out for 1.5 years at that point, so it was both rewarding to play some of that music, but I also had all of these new songs too, and finally, I had some folks to throw them at, and try these songs out with,” she said with a sweet laugh.

“There was also a magic in the air when we started making music with this particular group of musicians, and it felt inspiring to continue writing with them, so that’s how the songs came together before and after putting this band together,” she elaborated.

Favorite song on the new album

When asked about her favorite song from the new album, she said, “I don’t know if I have a favorite. It’s like choosing your favorite kid. They are all meaningful to me in their own way.”

“We just released the song ‘Spitfire’ as the new single, and that’s where the title track comes from… there is a lyric in there that says, ‘queen of a tip top high wire’ and that’s where the title was pulled from,” she elaborated.

“That song is about my grandmother and her life, and where she came from. It’s about the story of her life and the tragedies that she overcame, even though it never says that explicitly,” she explained.

“It’s a bit of a celebration of all those resilient folks. She was a ‘Spitfire’ for sure, she was a fiery woman, and we all know somebody like that,” she added.

“Even without realizing it, I leaned into my roots and where I was from with this album,” she said.

“I am trying to lean into where I am from, both as a human and with my musical background and the tradition of bluegrass music. I am also trying to push my own boundaries as a musician, and the things that I’ve learned in my own life,” she acknowledged.

Hull also described “Come Out of My Blues,” her collaboration with Tim O’Brien, as a “fun track.”

IBMA Award wins

“I’ve won the IBMA Award for ‘Mandolin Player of the Year’ six times now; those were wonderful and hard to believe,” she said.

Future plans

On her future plans, she said, “I am so blessed to be able to do this, especially because I love music so much. My hope is that I can continue to have longevity in my career.”

“I’ve always wanted to build a career that is lasting. I want to continue to make music that feels authentic, and true in my heart and soul… that is ever evolving as each year passes, and that’s a part of the journey,” she elaborated.

“At the end of the day, I want to make music that feels true and honest more than any of the accolades,” she noted.

Stage of her life

On the title of the current chapter of her life, Hull said with a sweet laugh, “It’s definitely ‘A Tip Toe High Wire’.”

“The meaning of that title runs deep,” she admitted.

Dream duet choice: Sara Bareilles

Her dream duet choice in music is “Sara Bareilles.” “I love her records so much,” she said. “Sara is such a powerhouse singer, writer, and performer.”

Hull also had some great words about six-time IBMA “Female Vocalist of the Year” winner Dale Ann Bradley, who is affectionately known as the “Queen of Bluegrass Soul.” “I love me some Dale Ann Bradley,” Hull admitted.

Success

Regarding her definition of the word success, Hull said, “Success looks different in a lot of ways. Success is to be able to finish a record where I gave it my best effort. I always give it my heart and soul, and effort. I feel like I did that on this record.”

“Also, any time I can connect with people in a live setting, that is my idea of success as a musician. Creating something that can mean something to people,” she added.

Closing thoughts on the new album

For fans and listeners, she remarked about the new album, “I hope this album brings people a sense of joy and hope. This album has songs that kind of do that for me.”

“The underlying tone is joy, and I hope they see themselves in it somehow,” she concluded.

To learn more about Sierra Hull, check out her official website and follow her on Instagram.