#fereraswan

Ferera Swan, the singer/songwriter, composer, pianist, and violinist, is an adult child of closed adoption and an outspoken advocate for others, shining a light on the shadowy issues surrounding the industry involving family separation, grief, shame, secrecy, and trauma. In recent years, Ferera has changed her name to reflect a combination of her biological parents' last names. This empowering decision opened new doors to artistic and vocal freedom and celebrates her cultural identity while acknowledging her painfully complex birth story. Ferera is a beacon of hope and healing for other adult adoptees processing an often misunderstood legacy of grief. It’s a broadly resonant journey, and it will inspire anyone who has ever fought to take back their lives and embrace their authentic selves.

She recently released her newest cinematic pop single, “To Say Goodbye,” about embracing the exploration of certain feelings of loss that adult children of adoption go through. This brave act of saying goodbye to a family you’ve never known is one that not many go through.

We got the chance to speak with Ferera in this edition of 7 From the Women. So without further ado, let’s dive in:

What Have You Been Working To Promote Lately?

Over recent years, I’ve been raising awareness around grief, maternal separation & adoption trauma and advocating for family preservation and more ethical practices. Adoptee grief is largely misunderstood by those outside of this life experience. We grieve our mothers, families, our roots. I believe it’s in allowing ourselves to hold grief and gratitude simultaneously—the integration of both—where we can truly discover healing. The chorus of “To Say Goodbye” is intended to be more of a rhetorical question; an invitation of empathy. After struggling for most of my life asking, how do I let go of my mother? I’ve realized I don’t. With certain kinds of loss, perhaps it’s not about letting go, but about looking in, finding the courage to sit with our pain, being changed by what it teaches us and experiencing the healing that will come as a result of that act of self-love and bravery.

https://ffm.to/tosaygoodbye

Please tell us about your favorite song written, recorded, or produced by another woman and why it’s meaningful to you.

‘Quiet’ by MILCK resonates so deeply for me. This is a song she wrote that went viral after performing it with an acapella choir at the Women’s March in 2017. Also a survivor of trauma and abuse, the message and meaning behind the song is incredibly empowering.

What does it mean to you to be a woman making music/in the music business today and do you feel a responsibility to other women to create messages and themes in your music?

When I was younger and for different reasons, I’d often downplay my range of skills. As women in the music industry today, I realize just how crucial it is that we stop playing small. Much of my new music discusses trauma, healing, and empowerment, and there is definitely a sense of purpose and responsibility in uplifting other women who are on similar journeys.

Who was the first female artist that made want to create music / be in the business?

Whitney Houston

What was the most challenging thing you have had to face as a female artist?

It’s been challenging when certain people make assumptions about my level of skill set/knowledge based on whatever preconceived idea they have of me. I’ve recorded and co-produced albums of original songs where I wrote the instrumental parts, comped vocals, etc., and I remember some initially assuming I didn’t write those parts on my own. It’s challenging not to take it personally sometimes, but I just stay focused on the work - their opinions are not a reflection of me.

If you could collaborate with any other female artists, who would you choose?

MILCK, Sara Bareilles, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, Olivia Rodrigo, Sia.

What do you hope to share with other women in the industry with your music?

As I mentioned earlier, much of my new music discusses trauma, healing, and empowerment. When we see other women speaking and/or singing their truths, I think it emboldens us to do the same. Adding a grounding self-reminder that I’d like to share: As long as we create from a place of authenticity, art will remain a source of healing, not a tool with which we measure our worth.

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