i.am.james. is the indie-folk project of Leelanau County-born singer-songwriter Sierra Cassidy, blending contemporary folk, indie rock, and cinematic 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. i.am.james. embarked on a lengthy summer tour in 2022 reaching crowds both large and small across the midwest with acoustic versions of these releases- notable performances include Musician’s Corner (Nashville, TN), Erickson Center for the Arts (Curtis, MI), and Hey Nonny (Arlington Heights, IL). 

After a brief stint of living and playing music 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, KT Tunstall, and Maggie Rogers. The project is reflective of the contemporary folk and indie rock sound i.am.james. delivered while on a 2024 summer tour, with performances at major Michigan music festivals like Bliss Festival and Wheatland. Whether performing solo or with a full band, i.am.james. delivers a sound that is emotionally resonant, story-driven, and steeped in atmosphere.

The Garden is out 8/8/25.