Calgary-based country singer-songwriter Robert Adam is redefining what it means to be a country artist in Canada. The queer, nonbinary performer recently returned from their first international tour beyond North America, choosing Japan as their destination in a strategic move that defied conventional country music wisdom.
Breaking Boundaries in Country Music
Robert Adam offers a fresh perspective on the country music scene, bringing androgynous style and queer identity to a genre often associated with traditional values. Their recent tour of Japan proved particularly successful, despite skepticism from others in the country music industry.
"Over there, cowboy culture and country and western music are so exotic that there is a real interest in it," says Adam, now back in Calgary. "I think that, paired with my aesthetic, makes people really like it. In Japanese anime, there are a lot of androgynous figures. A lot of anime men have long hair and dewy skin. Even their idols over there, the men are wearing makeup and cute clothing. They really love the androgynous gender expression in their pop culture."
The artist acknowledges that their approach raised eyebrows among country music traditionalists. "Everyone in the country scene probably thought I was crazy," Adam adds. "They were like, 'Why are you going over to Japan? There's no market there.' Let's have them keep thinking that."
The Dream Angel Cowboy Aesthetic
Adam's artistic presentation is impossible to ignore. Dubbed the "Dream Angel Cowboy," they incorporate flowing hair, exotic outfits, and actual angel wings in both publicity photos and live performances. However, this distinctive visual identity is backed by substantial musical talent and songwriting ability.
Adam has consistently operated outside the strict confines that have historically governed country music, conducting their career with the belief that country music fans are ready for something different. The aesthetic serves as an integral part of their artistic expression rather than merely a surface-level gimmick.
Debut Album: Governed By All Seasons
On Saturday, Adam will celebrate the local launch of their debut album "Governed By All Seasons" at the Lantern Community Church. The project is an ambitious 18-song double album recorded with professional studio musicians in Nashville.
Musically, the album showcases Adam's versatility within country and roots music, featuring:
- Honkytonk laments like "Baby Blue"
- Baroque folk elements in "Springtime"
- Sing-a-long anthems such as "Honey Gone to Vegas"
- Burt Bacharach-esque soft pop in "Summertime"
Lyrically, many songs draw from Adam's personal experiences while incorporating classic country imagery. "They are songs about my life growing up as a weirdo in northern Alberta, the beautiful moments of that — because it wasn't all bad — but also trying to capture the isolating moments: grief, loss, joy, happiness, feeling so different from everyone else and yet somehow connected to them because we were sharing this small, isolated town experience," Adam explains.
From Religious Upbringing to Authentic Expression
Adam's journey to becoming a groundbreaking country artist began in the small town of Bonnyville, where they were raised in a Christian household. The only non-religious music permitted during their childhood came from watching the country music countdown on CMT every weekend with their family.
Adam later attended Briercrest College and Seminary in Caronport, Saskatchewan for four years. Ironically, it was during their time at Bible college that Adam discovered their true identity, leading them to come out to family as queer and non-binary. The revelation was not well-received, creating additional challenges on their path to artistic authenticity.
While Adam's music shares some hallmark imagery with mainstream country—songs about small towns, tight jeans, drinking, and even Jesus—they present these themes through a broader emotional lens. Unlike country ballads that often romanticize rural life, Adam's approach acknowledges both the beauty and complexity of their experiences growing up in northern Alberta.
As Robert Adam continues to challenge country music conventions, their success in Japan and the upcoming album release demonstrate that there is indeed an audience for artists who dare to be different in traditionally conservative genres.
