Stella Lefty Finds Guidance From SZA and Liberation in Stevie Knicks

Stella Lefty, who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, has been going to Lollapalooza every summer since she was 15 years old. This year, though, is her first time performing, and it’s been a little discombobulating. “It’s really weird,” Lefty tells Rolling Stone. “I’ve never been to this area of the festival before. Where are we? Where’s GA?”

Still, it’s her favorite fest, with “the best vibes. The people are so free here,” Lefty says. “Anything goes.” Including having Rolling Stone sift through her listening habits for another round of Rolling Stone‘s Song Shuffle series. While Lefty has been making waves in both country and pop with her hit single “Boston,” the first artist that pops up is Elvis Presley and “Hound Dog” — though, to be fair, the King did bring plenty of Southern elements into his sound. Lefty came to Presley a bit later in life, she admits. “I love the way that every single song of his makes me want to dance,” she says.

Next up, Fleetwood Mac’s “Silver Springs.” Written by Stevie Nicks, it details her breakup with bandmate Lindsey Buckingham. Lefty saw Nicks in concert in New Orleans while in college and was predictably moved. “This song, it changes things,” says Lefty. “[Nicks] is liberating as a whole.”

Lefty has also found “guidance” in SZA, whose song “Drew Barrymore” popped up next (“I feel like she sees me”), followed by picks from Calvin Harris (“Summer”) and Thomas Rhett (“After All the Bars Are Closed”). The Justin Bieber-Chance the Rapper collab “Holy” came last, a song that Lefty loves to belt in her car. She also made sure to shout out her current other go-to’s: Audrey Hobert, Jordan Davis, Luke Combs, and “early Taylor [Swift].”
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So what does Lefty think everyone else should have on their playlist? Well, “Boston,” of course, which is currently sitting on No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’ll be on her debut album, Long Way Home, out Aug. 21.

As a Lollapalooza veteran, Lefty also shared plenty of advice for festivalgoers with Rolling Stone. Her “Don’ts” include not braving Lolla with “a boy you have been dating for a month,” and “don’t wear uncomfortable shoes.” Her do’s are straight to the point but no less important. “Come with your best friends,” Lefty says. “And go see your favorite artist.”