ep7 Adaline is a bad believer

ep7 Adaline is a bad believer

released March 6, 2025

1:46:42

In this heartfelt episode of 'Almost Famous Enough,' Glen Erickson reconnects with his old friend, Shawna Beesley, who performs under the stage name Adaline. Shawna discusses the criticisms artists receive for stepping outside perceived boundaries, emphasizing that being an artist inherently involves integrating personal and societal aspects into their work. With a career spanning over 16 years, Adaline has released five albums, made significant TV and film placements, and built a community around religious trauma through her music. The conversation delves into their first meeting, artistic struggles, and how Adaline has balanced commercial work with creative authenticity. The episode provides an intimate look at Shawna's journey, including her experiences of coming out, dealing with body image issues, and blending her personal evolution with her artistic career. This episode is a testament to the complexities of pursuing an artistic career while staying true to oneself.

Guest website: https://adalinemusic.com/

Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adalinemusic

Guest Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/adalinemusic

Bad Believer Community: https://www.instagram.com/badbelievercommunity/

hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson

Almost Famous Enough website: https://www.almostfamousenough.com AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough

Almost Famous Enough Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480

Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.

00:00 Introduction to Adaline

02:04 Reconnecting with Old Friends

02:43 Memories of Meeting and Early Career

08:13 Shared Backgrounds and Early Bonding

11:28 Navigating the Music Industry

18:55 Commercial Success and Artistic Integrity

38:08 The Fluidity of Creativity

39:14 Navigating Industry Pressures

40:23 Facing Societal Expectations

41:20 The Power of Collaboration

42:54 Embracing Authenticity

47:00 Exploring Sexuality Through Music

50:39 The Intersection of Personal and Artistic Growth

52:32 Overcoming Religious Trauma

57:31 The Evolution of an Artist

01:15:16 Navigating Creative Discipline

01:15:39 Personal Development and Family

01:16:29 The Bad Believer Community

01:18:37 The Importance of Sharing Stories

01:20:50 The Vulnerability of Releasing Music

01:23:31 Reflections on Personal and Artistic Growth

01:25:56 Post-Fame with Alexi