Canadian country music artist Dustin Bird has released his latest single “She Likes My Guitar” to country radio. We got a chance to chat with Dustin about his new single, and it was an absolute treat!
Dustin has had a wild year! He was selected as one of Boots & Hearts Music Festival’s Emerging Artists, he’s recorded and released music, and been touring around like mad. If that’s not a whirlwind, we don’t know what is. We actually got to talk to Dustin about it a bit at Boots & Hearts, and then again here for the release of his single.
One thing we can say about Canadian artists in general is that they work incredibly hard – and Dustin is by no means an exception. It was such a thrill to be able to connect with him and talk about everything from music, to performing, to his latest single “She Likes My Guitar”.
It’s a great song! Be sure to download or stream it – you won’t be disappointed.
Interview With Dustin Bird
Front Porch (FP): Your new single “She Likes My Guitar” has recently been released. Tell us a bit about it, and the inspiration behind the single.
Dustin: “She Likes My Guitar” was such a fun song to write! On the day I wrote it, I was particularly inspired by the styles of Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. Those two have always been major inspirations in my writing, but it was their style of guitar playing that I was focused on that afternoon. I actually ended up writing it in as a sort of homage in the 3rd line of the song, saying “Playing like Paisley, singing baby…”
Knowing that this was going to be a very guitar-centric kind of track based on the opening riff, I knew that lyrically I wanted to shine the spotlight on the guitar. That’s how the story for the song got started and I ran with it from there.
FP: What was the recording process like – do you enjoy recording, or do you prefer to be out on the road and feeding off the energy of a live crowd?
Dustin: The recording process for a song is brand new each time and I think that’s what makes it so exciting. Playing for a crowd is extremely exhilarating and the feeling is defiantly unmatched, but as a producer and engineer, working in the studio and creating something fresh that you can fall in love with is a totally unique experience and when you get it right, it feels amazing. I wouldn’t trade the studio for the road, and I wouldn’t trade the road for the studio.
FP: What inspires you, or gets you in the mood/mindset to write?
Dustin: I don’t know that there is a specific mood/mindset that I need to be in to write, but of course some days I write bad songs. I think that once you’ve been writing music for a while, that “off” switch breaks and finding inspiration for titles, melodies, etc. becomes second nature. It’s putting those little seeds of an idea together in the best way possible that’s the challenge, and I find co-writing to be really effective for that.
FP: What are some songs and artists that you are really into right now?
Dustin: “Break Up In The End” by Cole Swindle is my latest “I wish I wrote that” song. I’ve been really into Kacey Musgraves and Carly Pearce lately; they both have such unique and identifiable sounds that are SO DANG GOOD!
FP: The country music genre has really evolved in the past few years, and has become much more approachable to the average listener – blending the lines of pop and country, or country and rock. What do you think about that, and what do you say to the people who are critical about this trend?
Dustin: The evolution of mainstream Country is something I’ve always been a fan of. Of course with every step forward, some resistance is expected. I think this helps create niche markets that artists are able to fulfill, with examples being acts such as Midland and Jon Pardi. There are so many sub-genres in Country music and so many artists creating unique sounds within them that, with the artist discovery power of streaming platforms, it’s easier than ever to find the Country music that you identify with.
FP: It’s been a bit of a wild year for you – competing in the Boots & Hearts Music Festival Emerging Artist Showcase, lots of performances, and the release of your latest single. What’s next for you?
Dustin: 2018 has been my best year yet! I’ve been so fortunate to have been able to play stages such as Boots and now to be able to release my music to Country radio. I’m so excited to release more music, play more shows and to keep growing in this industry in 2019! I can’t wait to show everyone what I’ve been working on and hear what everyone thinks.
FP: Thanks so much Dustin, we can’t wait either for you to share what’s next for you. Keep in touch!
Download “She Likes My Guitar” from Dustin Bird
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
