Stella Lefty Finds Guidance From SZA and Liberation in Stevie Nicks

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.”