Role model trades beats for bass: singer-songwriter finds peace (and a fishing pole) in maine
Tucker Pillsbury, the musician known as Role Model, is trading the neon glare of Los Angeles for the quiet allure of a fishing rod. After a recent visit from his mom unearthed a surprising lack of hobbies, he’s embraced a decidedly old-school pastime – and it’s proving to be a surprisingly grounding experience.
A coastal shift: from point park to the pacific
Pillsbury’s journey began in the scenic shores of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, a stark contrast to his current life on the West Coast. He left the familiar landscapes behind to study film at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – a decision that ultimately led him to a career in Music, fueled by a chance encounter with the late Mac Miller in 2018. Miller recognized the raw talent in “Stolen Car,” a poignant track about addiction, and became a pivotal mentor, launching Pillsbury’s career and steering him towards the Coachella stages and TikTok virality that followed.
East coast roots, west coast vibe
Despite his established presence on the West Coast, Pillsbury is consciously reconnecting with his East Coast heritage. “No one really goes fishing in Los Angeles,” he admitted, “but I’ve been going out to the river the past couple of nights.” He’s not exactly setting records, though – “nope,” he chuckled, admitting he’s unsure if the rivers even hold fish. “I like that there's no one else down there when I'm doing it, so hopefully maybe I'll keep it a little secret.”
Anderson’s influence: a new aesthetic
But fishing isn’t the only thing on Pillsbury’s mind. He’s currently working on a new album, described as “vibey and fun,” and has a clear appreciation for the work of Jonathan Anderson at Dior. “I've seen pieces and things over the years from him that seem very much inspired by, maybe not fishing, but like the New England world,” he explained. “I don't know if it's intentional or not that some of the stuff has this East Coast feeling to it. I love the whole upgraded, slight New England aesthetic with the blue shades, the denim, the gold hardware, the button-downs, and the casual little loafer slides. It feels like New England summer to me, which I love, always.” He freely admits that while he's not a fashion obsessive, Anderson is easily his favorite designer and someone he deeply respects – a sentiment that’s clearly translating into his own style.
The dior obsession
“To be honest, and maybe I shouldn’t say this, but Dior was never really on my radar,” Pillsbury confided. “I'm a JW Anderson [brand] super fan, but now I’m so into Dior too. A long time ago when I first got money I got these hot pink leather JW slides. I also had the classic zip-up, obviously.” Tonight, he’ll be sporting his ideal outfit for Dior’s upcoming Cruise collection show at LACMA – a perfectly tailored pair of straight-leg jeans, an ornate Anderson belt, a button-down shirt, and a suede jacket. “I mean I would love to steal the outfit tonight,” he admitted with a grin. “Um, I've tried that before with other things and usually I just end up getting a text with a polite explainer that they need it back a month later. But yeah, I'm obsessed with the Dior belts. I would love all of the belts and the jacket that I’m wearing.”
Back to the basics
After the show, he’ll return to the familiar rhythm of album prep and, of course, fishing. “I've love this,” he concluded, flashing his prominent whale tattoo – a subtle nod to his Maine roots. The irony, perhaps, is that a man who’s conquered the digital landscape is finding solace in a decidedly analog pursuit.