Ariel S. Lee was named after the sprite in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” which is also the name of her new album, released this April 2026. She began her career at a young age, recording her first album at age 12. From 1999 – 2013 she continued to write, sing and tour locally in the Sacramento and Santa Cruz, CA areas but had an abrupt career change when she was accepted to medical school. From there, she completed four years of medical school, three years of residency, and two years of fellowship, also getting married a giving birth to two children. Once her training was over, she immediately came back to the piano and wrote, playing and produced this album, “The Tempest,” which is a detailed lyrical diary that documents a decade of physical and mental trials.
Where are you based?
Sacramento, CA
How long have you been making music?
30+ Years
What genre would you consider your music to be?
Alternative rock, singer-songwriter, piano vocal
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
It has always been a part of who I am, and I consider it a first language.
What are your biggest musical influences?
Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, Garbage.
Are you signed to a label or are you an independent artist?
Independent
What have been the biggest challenges in your music career?
Being heard.
How many songs or albums have you released to date?
This is my 8th studio album, my second that has been fully produced.
Can you tell us a few things about your latest release?
Yes; the album is meant to be listened to as a whole, it’s a narrative encapsulating the ten years of medical training I went through, along with becoming a first time parent, and how it shaped my life.
Any plans for new music or upcoming projects we should know about?
I plan on playing shows locally, and continuing to write– hopefully with an album gap a little shorter than 12 years this time.
