With his most recent single ‘Love You Like That’ climbing the country charts and the release of his self-titled debut EP, life is pretty good for Virginia-native Canaan Smith. Canaan recently took the time to talk to New England Country music about his self-titled EP, touring, and his upcoming album.
Canaan has been songwriting since age twelve and he has written songs that have been recorded by Jason Aldean and Love and Theft. Canaan told us when it comes to songwriting “try to be honest, try to be as open with your story as possible. I feel like the best songs come from experience, and the songs that really speak to people are the ones that comes from a place of honesty.” Canaan’s favorite song that he has written will be the title song of his upcoming album and one that follows his songwriting mantra of experience and honesty. The song ‘Bronco’ is one that he wrote about the loss of his brother. He said when he is writing a song “whether it be lighthearted or heavy, I just try to tell a real story.”
Canaan co-wrote each of the five songs on his EP and he told us that being able to record songs that he has written is, “a rewarding feeling. It’s just great to have a shot at getting stuff out there that came from my experiences. The fact that it’s working and resonating with people is just that much more rewarding.” As a songwriter Canaan had many songs to choose from when it came time to choose which songs he wanted to be included on the EP, but he told us that he tried to pick the songs that said what he wanted to say as an artist. Canaan went on to say, “a good song is a good song, but it’s different than a good song that also fits for what I do and how I want to say things.”
We asked Canaan if he had a favorite co-writer and there was no hesitation in his answer, Brett Beavers. Brett has written and produced a number of Dierks Bentley’s No. 1 songs including ‘What Was I Thinkin’.’ In addition to co-writing each of the songs on Canaan’s EP, he is also producing his upcoming album.
His current single ‘Love You Like That’ is climbing the country charts and even reached No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway Top 45 Countdown. ‘Love You Like That’ has also had almost 8 million Spotify streams, as well as over 4 million online video views. Canaan moved to Nashville ten years ago and says the success of ‘Love You Like That’ is super gratifying and “getting to play sold out shows and hear the crowd sing it back at the top of their lungs is the best feeling ever.”
Canaan started 2015 on the road touring with Dan + Shay since the end of February on the Where It All Began tour, which included a stop in Boston last month. Canaan said Dan + Shay are “great guys” and “we have a blast out there and great crowds have been showing up and awesome energy.” Being on this tour has really given Canaan a chance to work on his live show. He has been able to work on the flow from song to song and the transitions and the energy. “Working on it being more than just singing songs, it’s actually a well thought out plan, and entertaining show.” Right now ‘Love You Like That’ is his favorite song to perform because of the reaction from the crowd.
It was recently announced that Canaan will be joining Dierks Bentley on the Sounds of Summer tour along with Kip Moore. Canaan said that Dierks is one of his musical heroes and he is ecstatic to go on the road with him and learn from him. He is looking forward to playing his songs in front of arenas and amphitheaters full of people.
Canaan’s debut album ‘Bronco’ will be released June 23rd. In addition to working with Brett Beavers on the album, Canaan has also had the chance to work with Jimmy Robbins who has written songs that have been recorded by Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and Jake Owen. Ryan Tyndell has also been working with Canaan on this album, Tyndel has written songs that have been recorded by Eric Church, Clay Walker, and Gary Allan. The album is available for pre-order now.
Canaan’s debut EP ‘Canaan Smith’ is available now, and his full length album ‘Bronco’ will be released June 23rd. Beginning on June 5th in Raleigh, NC you can catch Canaan on the Sounds of Summer tour alongside Dierks Bentley, Kip Moore and Maddie & Tae. You can catch them in New England on June 27th when the Sounds of Summer tour stops in Mansfield, MA.
Make sure you follow Canaan on Twitter, Facebook, and his official website.