i.am.james. is the indie-folk project of Leelanau County-born singer-songwriter Sierra Cassidy, blending contemporary folk, indie rock, and alternative pop. 

    A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and Berklee College of Music drop-out, Cassidy spent her early twenties performing across Nashville and Northern Michigan- both solo and fronting a trio. In 2022, she released a series of singles written and recorded in Nashville that earned several big playlist placements and features on indie blogs being noted as “heartache to dance to.” Swirling around the edge of all things alternative, the first releases of i.am.james. are an unusual cocktail of captivating melodies and heart-bearing lyrics tied together in a sonically lush vibe.  That same year, i.am.james. embarked on a lengthy summer tour reaching crowds across the midwest at venues and festivals like Hey Nonny (Chicago, IL), Musician’s Corner (Nashville, TN), and Erickson Center for the Arts (Curtis, MI).   

    After a brief stint living and performing in New York City, she returned to her Northern Michigan roots in 2023 and began recording her debut full-length album, The Garden, with Michael Dause of TreeTone Studios at the helm of recording and engineering. Recorded in a cottage deep in the snow-covered woods of Northern Michigan, the project reflects this scene; intimate and transformative drawing sonic inspiration from artists like Pinegrove, Phoebe Bridgers, and Maggie Rogers. Released on August 8, 2025, The Garden is reflective of the contemporary folk and indie rock sound i.am.james. honed while on a 2024 summer tour with the i.am.james. trio, including performances at major Michigan music festivals like Bliss Festival and Wheatland Music Festival. Whether performing solo or with a full band, i.am.james. invites you into carefully articulated moments in time, delivered with both a softness and intensity.