Today we’d like to introduce you to Adria Stembridge
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but moved to Athens a year later, where I spent most of my childhood. As a teenager, I was an avid reader, drawn to sci-fi and horror books that fueled my imagination and sense of adventure. I also loved spending time outdoors, often helping my dad in the family garden—a tradition I’ve continued to this day, using the very same garden tractor he used in the 1970s. My time with my dad instilled in me a deep appreciation for hands-on work. He taught me how to work on cars, and over the years, I became proficient enough to rebuild and replace entire engines and transmissions. His influence extended to home repair as well, sparking a lifelong love of working on and maintaining my own house, a task that remains a constant part of my life.
As a child, one of my early autistic special interests was a massive pipeline that was built in our backyard. I was fascinated by the heavy equipment used in the construction and spent hours watching and then learning about it in the library. This interest stayed with me for decades, leading to a brief side hustle where I operated heavy equipment, including full sized hydraulic excavators and bulldozers. These experiences shaped my love for learning, building, and exploring new skills—whether it was fixing a car, working on my house, or operating machinery.
Music has also been a big part of my life. My early love for new wave artists like the Go-Go’s, Madonna, and Gary Numan eventually led me to become a semi-professional DJ, spinning records at clubs in both Athens and Atlanta from the ’90s through today. I also learned to play instruments and create and record my own music, most recently with Tears for the Dying. During the particularly challenging COVID lockdown era, I turned to language learning as a way to cope with the stress. While I’m far from fluent in Japanese, every new word learned is another positive self-affirmation and step forward.
Throughout my life, I’ve striven to show kindness to others and offer help to those in need. My mom and I didn’t always see eye to eye on social and political issues, but I deeply admired how much she cared about the poor and ostracized, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges of her own. She was a huge influence on the woman I’ve become.
While I’ve had a lifelong passion for music, my journey has been about much more than that. It’s been a path of self-discovery, learning, and embracing the various facets of who I am. Whether through music, hands-on work, or spending time outdoors, I’ve always sought to create, build, and grow. My story is one of resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to living authentically and fully, and with kindness.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, but I believe those challenges have shaped who I am today. Growing up, I struggled with undiagnosed autism, which made it difficult to connect with others and led to frequent bullying in school. On top of that, I grappled with my gender identity in a traditional, religious family that didn’t understand or accept who I was. The shame and confusion I experienced during those years were overwhelming, and it took me a long time to find the courage to live authentically as a trans woman. Managing epilepsy has added yet another layer of difficulty to both my personal and professional life.
The 1990s and early 2000s were not a welcoming time for transgender individuals, and mainstream culture often misrepresented people like me. Despite these obstacles, including the ongoing challenges of managing epilepsy, I kept pushing forward, finding support in the Atlanta transgender community and using music as an outlet for my experiences.
Through all of this, I’ve learned that persistence and resilience are key. The challenges I’ve faced, both personally and professionally, have made me more determined to create music that resonates deeply and to advocate for greater inclusivity and understanding. My journey has been anything but smooth, but every struggle, including managing my epilepsy, has brought me closer to where I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My artistic journey has been deeply intertwined with my passion for music, which has spanned several decades. I began exploring music seriously in the early 1990s, starting with my first band, where I discovered the raw energy of punk and began to dabble in the darker tones of gothic and deathrock music. This early experimentation led me to co-form The Endless in 1994, arguably the first recognizable goth band in Athens music history. Over the years, I continued to develop my skills as a musician by creating and recording my own music. In 2003, I formed Tears for the Dying, a project that has become the centerpiece of my musical career, blending deathrock and post-punk influences to create a unique sound that resonates with listeners around the world.
Beyond my work with Tears for the Dying, I have also been a semi-professional DJ, spinning records at clubs in both Athens and Atlanta from the 1990s through today. My sets often include a mix of new wave, post-punk, and goth, reflecting my deep connection to these genres. As a DJ, I’ve had the opportunity to curate musical experiences that bring people together and help keep the spirit of dark dance music alive.
My work isn’t just about creating music; it’s about building connections and expressing the multifaceted aspects of my identity. From writing and recording music to performing live and DJing, my artistic endeavors have always been a reflection of my personal journey. Whether through my own compositions or the records I spin, I strive to create spaces where others can find a sense of belonging and connection, just as I have through my own experiences in the music world.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There have been many people who have supported and influenced me throughout my journey, and they all deserve credit for helping me become the artist and person I am today. My dad was a significant influence, instilling in me a love for hands-on work and an appreciation for learning and perseverance. His guidance in everything from car repair to home maintenance laid the foundation for my approach to life and creativity.
My mom, despite our differences in social and political views, also played a crucial role in shaping my values. Her compassion for the poor and ostracized, even in the face of her own challenges, taught me the importance of kindness and empathy, qualities that I strive to embody in all aspects of my life.
Musically, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some incredibly talented and inspiring people over the years. My bandmates in Tears for the Dying, both past and present, have been instrumental in bringing our music to life and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together. Their creativity, dedication, and support have been invaluable. Additionally, the broader Athens and Atlanta music scenes have provided a vibrant and challenging environment that has driven me to grow as an artist.
Finally, the support of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in Atlanta in my formative years, has been a source of strength and encouragement throughout my personal and artistic journey. The connections I’ve made within this community have not only bolstered my confidence but have also deepened my commitment to advocating for inclusivity and understanding in all areas of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tearsforthedying.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tearsforthedyingband/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/TearsForTheDying/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/TearsfortheDying/videos
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0OBdtDABr8MVcGot3doYRn
