INTERVIEW: Bella Lam Finds Inspiration Everywhere

With over 59,000 followers on TikTok, Bella continues to grow a devoted fan base through her candid storytelling and viral “Write It, Don’t Text It” series—an interactive breakup hotline where fans call 833-582-5348 to confess the messages they never sent to their ex. The hotline has evolved into a cathartic, often humorous confessional, capturing everything from emotional closure speeches to blunt post-breakup truths.

Lam brings the message home with her latest song "Take It Out On My Guitar," a hook-laden pop-country masterpiece that will have you singing sweetly and raising your fist in the air. In our interview, Lam hints at the many places she finds inspiration for her writing.

Tell us about the first song you wrote.

It’s called “Away.”  It’s in my first songbook tucked away. I was about 15 years old, and was feeling inspired because I found out the guy I had a crush on had a girlfriend. So, of course, in my “teenage angst,” I wrote a song about it. After that, I absolutely fell in love with songwriting and haven’t stopped.

I played that song in my first professional gig at a dive bar in Cleveland, Tennessee called The Diving Mouse. I had never played a full show before, and I needed enough music to fill a three-hour performance slot, so we dug that song out.

Who would you love to collaborate with? Why?

Oh, wow, where to even begin? I would love to collaborate with legends like Reba McEntire or Dolly Parton. But then, there are also so many newer artists that are killing it right now. I’m really loving what Megan Moroney and Ella Langley are doing.  Then you’ve got Kacey Musgraves and Warren Zeiders… seriously, the list just goes on. I look up to so many different artists, and the thought of getting to create with any one of them is… well, that’s the dream, isn’t it?

As far as songwriting goes, I would love to get a chance to co-write with someone like Joybeth Taylor, Jon Decious, David Messy Mescon, or Jessie Jo Dillon.  There are a lot of  great songwriters in Nashville  putting out some of the great tunes right now and I’d love to work with them.  

How do you kill the long hours in the van?

Travel can be very confining when everyone is crowded together for a very long drive between cities.  Sometimes reading can make me not feel so good in a car or van.  I listen to music, watch videos on YouTube, and look out the window.  Sometimes I look at signs and town names looking for ideas for songs.  It’s hard to get quiet time in a crowded van.  

When I'm in the van, I try not to overdo it on the music, mostly so I don't get burned out on all my favorite songs. Instead, I've really been into watching Let’s Play Horror Games on YouTube. It’s hilarious.

What's the first concert you ever attended? What do you remember about it?

I think I was about 13 years old when I saw R5 live. I was in the thick of my Disney Channel phase (to be fair, I don't think I ever really left it), and my parents had surprised me with meet-and-greet tickets for Christmas. We were in the second row—so, ridiculously close to the stage—and the whole show was just unreal.

I was an absolute mess before the meet-and-greet. My Mama had made them these custom denim jackets and painted the whole band on the back. They actually loved them and even ended up wearing them on stage that night. But the best part was when they pointed right at me in the crowd. Seriously, my 13-year-old heart just about exploded.

[Editor's note: I am too old to know who these people are.]

Recent release you cannot stop listening to?

Hands down, Megan Moroney’s Cloud 9 Album. I've had it on repeat ever since it came out, and I already have my favorites. Every single song on that album is amazing.  It is so well-written, and she sings every song perfectly.  The other album I can’t stop listening to is Hungover by Ella Langley.  I can’t wait for Dandelion to come out.  

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