“Nate Smith Talks Binding Morgan Wallen’s Record and Making a New Album”

Ask Nate Smith what keeps him up at night and the list tumbles out of the rising country star’s mouth.

“Are we going to get a No. 1 album debut? I made a mistake with my diet today; Let’s get back to it tomorrow. I think of my family, all of whom I miss. I’m thinking about it, am I calling my mom often enough? At night I think about a lot of things.”

One thing he doesn’t have to worry about is making the record books. Smith’s first two singles, the fast-paced kiss-off “Whiskey on You” and the searing, rocking “World on Fire,” both reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, with the latter tying Morgan Wallen’s “You Proof” for that Most weeks at number 1 (10) in the 34-year history of the chart in February.

His success has helped him reach a milestone: “I just bought a house in Nashville,” says the California native billboard. “I have several acres of land and a beautiful private entrance. It will be really good. I’m looking forward to the peace and quiet.”

There probably won’t be peace and quiet any time soon. His new album, California gold“, out today on Sony Nashville, is a sprawling 18-song work that showcases his husky, emotionally charged voice to great effect.

On set, there are stylistic nods to ’90s bands like Lifehouse and Goo Goo Dolls, acts he says are “rooted in my DNA,” particularly on songs like the driving “Want Me Back” and the piercing “Perfect.” “Bulletproof” as the first single, remembers Tom Petty.

Smith co-wrote six of the 18 songs – his touring schedule prevented him from writing more, but as the Nashville dictum goes, the best song always wins. “I’m always looking for the best song, whether I write it or someone else writes it,” he says. “Still, I would have liked to have been in the studio a bit more and written with people and stuff, (but) I was way too busy this year and was lucky enough to get songs that I liked just as much as if I wrote them would have.”

The road to success has had its fair share of obstacles, as Smith expressed on Instagram in mid-September when he wrote about the unrelenting pressure artists face to produce strong social media numbers and streams. “I don’t think people realize how much pressure we face as artists,” he wrote. “Why isn’t my reel viral? Why didn’t my last release get 7.5 million streams? It’s a constant effort to feed the machine. It shouldn’t be about any of that. It should be about the music. I’m completely exhausted trying to be cool.”

The post was well received by his fellow artists and sparked responses from HARDY, Breland, Carly Pearce and Bailey Zimmerman. “It was a really vulnerable moment,” Smith says, adding that he is talking to his team about better managing social media content. “It was extremely relatable to the community, but it made me feel like, ‘Man, I’m not alone in this.'”

Smith, who is managed by The Core Entertainment and booked by The Neal Agency, spoke to billboard about creating California goldhow he allows himself to be vulnerable and why he might rock on his next album.

How did the confidence that came with the success of songs like “Whiskey on You” and “World on Fire” inspire you in creating this album?

This made me trust my gut feeling more. Here’s a perfect example: We didn’t know beforehand exactly what song we were going to release, but it wasn’t supposed to be called “Whiskey on You,” but my gut told me it had to be “Whiskey on You.” And so I went to the team. You trusted me. It went to No. 1. And then “World on Fire” wasn’t even on the album (at first). I thought, “Guys, you have to put this on the album.” And (they said), “It’s too late.” We already have a plan. We can’t put it there.’” I had several meetings with the label. I thought, “Guys, we have to do this. There is no way around it. We’re going to fail.” They did well there and then that song became the biggest song of my career.

You were right again with “Bulletproof,” the first single from “Bulletproof.” California goldwhich went to 3rd place.

I knew “Bulletproof” was the one. I learned to trust my gut feeling. And if it doesn’t feel right at all, I won’t do it. It has to be that this is an undeniable banger that people will identify with on a mass level.

If there’s something I’m afraid of, it’s releasing a song on the radio. I want to make sure there are no doubts in my mind before publishing it. I won’t take any chances with radio.

Was there anything you knew for sure that you wanted to do differently this time than on your first album?

Oh yes. “Name Storms After” on the first album, I love that song so much, doesn’t rock hard enough. Every time I listen to it I’m like, “F–k, we should have added more guitar.” It needed to have more umph underneath, and it didn’t have that. And it bothers me every time I hear it. That’s why I vowed to make sure that everything on this album is obsessed with every part of the songs in every way.

Although it’s not an official single, last week you released your duet with Avril Lavigne, “Can You Die From a Broken Heart.”

We just shot the music video for it in Toronto and it was really fun. I must actually be a zombie. I wear white contact lenses and I must be freaking everyone out. It’s really emotional. It was the highest budget video we’ve ever been involved with. It was probably six figures.

You have described the track as the saddest song you have ever been a part of.

I’ve been at this point before during heartbreak (when) it felt like nothing would fix it, nothing could make you feel better, nothing could get you out of that mindset. I remember being so desperate. This song is so desperate. It’s like begging to have that person back. I think the song could be life changing. It feels like “I’m With You” is my favorite Avril song, like it’s a reference to that.

Is it hard to be so vulnerable in a song?

That’s not it. It’s really liberating to be yourself all the time. That’s the most powerful thing I’ve noticed in my life – getting to this point of fully embracing who I am in every way is the most liberating thing, and that’s the good, the bad, and the ugly. And then no one can call you out on your shit because you’re being yourself all the time. I love that I have reached this point in my life. I am so grateful for that as an artist.

Were you afraid of it at the beginning?

It’s a slow process because this has happened to me in my personal life, where I no longer apologize for who I am and I’m not afraid to speak up, set boundaries with others, or tell someone, “Hey, “I really love you, but that really hurt my feelings, man.” I would have been afraid of this before because I cared so much about what people thought of me, but I think over time that has affected mine artistic abilities affected.

“World on Fire” was No. 1 for ten weeks, which is exciting. Was there a part of you that was disappointed that you didn’t resolve the tie?

Oh God, man, I think it’s funny because I don’t think people realize that our story was consecutive but Morgan’s wasn’t. So technically I know and he knows how it really went (laughs). I’m really excited. I can’t even believe it beats songs like Lonestar’s “Amazed.” This feels wrong, but I’m just grateful for what it did. It means so much.

We see your dad popping up on your social media, where you hang out with him on the porch or he rides with you in your car. Is your father recognized as a show?

A little bit. It’s funny. My mother gets really jealous too. She gets great, great jelly. I say, “Mom, take some time off work and come out!” She says, “I can’t take it off.” My mom is a real stunner, she’s the funniest person you’ll ever meet in your life , but dad is retired so he has a lot of free time. I say, “Come out for a week or two.” He’s like, “Cool guy, that’s enough.”

You’re now headlining your own tour, having toured with acts like Morgan Wallen, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell. What did you learn from them about how to capture an audience?

It’s really about thinking about the flow of the set, for example if you want to sing a piano song, make it a moment. Don’t do four in a row. You have to divide it up correctly? I kind of look at it like a roller coaster ride, so you have a high energy song, then you let it down a little bit, but then you come right back up. I think the other thing was always telling my story on stage.

How difficult was it to learn to be the boss of your own band and crew?

The crown is heavy (laughs). From the beginning, my bosses always made me have difficult conversations with people, and I kind of hated it at first: “Shouldn’t you do this or something?” And they said, “No.” I feel like it was me manage to have a conversation with respect and love and never make anyone feel bad, but I can still bring the truth to light. It was scary at first because you’re like, ‘I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.’ I want everyone to like me.”

You play “My Hero” by the Foo Fighters in your shows, but you haven’t recorded it. Is that what’s next?

I’ve been busy working on an EP where I’ll record all of my favorite rock songs, like “Heart-Shaped Box” (and) “My Hero,” but I’ve also been thinking about my next album just being a full rock album should.

It feels like we’re in a time where no artist has to limit themselves anymore, seeing HARDY topping both the country and rock charts and Post Malone and Beyoncé coming into country.

I never want to leave the country; Country is what I’m here for. I’m here for authentic, heartbreaking songs and storytelling. That’s why I’m into country music. They are the best fans in the world. I love country radio. I love everything country music, but yeah, I want to get into all the things that I like, and whether that’s in a certain direction and we’re focused on pop radio or rock radio, I’m into all of that good. But I will always remain true to myself.