From winning Country Album of the Year at the 2024 SCMA Awards to playing shows across the country and releasing a new single “What I Wouldn’t Do”, Shantaia has been booked and busy this Summer!
If you haven’t already listened to “What I Wouldn’t Do”, then stop what you’re doing and give it a listen. Even better, throw the song on while you read through this interview!
A New Sound for Shantaia
“What I Wouldn’t Do” is a beautiful, soulful song with a heartfelt message about love that’s easy to connect with. It has slower, traditional country instrumentation, combined with soulful and R&B elements.
Imagine if Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton had a musical baby … this song would be it!
Anyone who has been following Shantaia on her musical journey knows that this sound is not the same one heard in her other music.
“This is always what I kind of wanted to do, it’s where my voice naturally goes,” Shantaia said.
“I had so much fun writing this song, and we have been writing a lot of music around this vibe and this sound. It’s been really freeing.”
Behind the Song “What I Wouldn’t Do”
“What I Wouldn’t Do” highlights a desperate, unconditional kind of love. “You would do anything for this person,” said Shantaia.
Shantaia has been with her fiance for 10 years, and it’s safe to say that this song was inspired by their relationship.
“I wrote this with Ryan Sorestad and Curt Chambers,” Shantaia recalled, “I brought Curt in with Brad Hill to produce the track with me, and it was a recipe for greatness.”
Being Booked & Busy
This summer, Shantaia has been all over the country for shows, dropping new music, and planning some exciting things.
Not only that, but she has been doing a lot of the work on her own. “I parted ways with my booking agency and manager, been playing larger shows, so it has been very hard, but also very rewarding.”
To avoid burnout and stay sane, Shantaia likes to spend time with her fiance and go horseback riding.
“Whenever I’m back in Nashville, I like to spend a lot of quality time with my fiance,” Shantaia explained, “If I had my horse in Tennessee, that would also be something that would help me recharge quickly since it’s always been like therapy for me.”
Growing up a Country Girl
Shantaia grew up as a country girl.
On her Instagram, she shared a (very heartwarming) story of what growing up was like. Long story short, her grandpa got her into horses and riding, and she grew up around that typical country way of living.
“It’s been a huge foundation of my love for country music,” Shantaia said, “Being so involved with horses growing up, you’re living and breathing what you hear on country radio.”
From the Emerging Artist Showcase to Playing a Full Set at Boots & Hearts
Flashback to a year ago, Shantaia was crowned the winner of The 2023 Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase.
This year, she will hit the Boots & Hearts stage once again … this time for a full set!
“I’ve done a lot of learning and growing throughout this experience,” said Shantaia, “it’s been a year of growth.”
Shantaia will be kicking the festival off on Thursday night following the Emerging Artist Showcase, with a new set that promises to get you dancing and swaying along to the music.
RELATED: See this year’s full lineup for the Boots and Hearts Music Festival …
Obviously, Shantaia knows a thing or two about winning an Emerging Artist Showcase, and this is her piece of advice to anyone in the Showcase this year:
“Boots is one of the audiences that shows up the most, so be ready and prepared for that. Throwing in a piece of a cover at some point will help engage your audience because a lot of them don’t know your music or who you are … YET! Grabbing them with a cover can be helpful- I know Owen Riegling did that and I did it too. And have fun with it!!”
Shantaia’s 3 Pieces of Relationship Advice
- Trust
- Support each other’s goals and dreams
- Go on adventures
Favourite Summer Activities
From breaking her foot while playing basketball to rupturing her spleen while horseback riding, Shantaia has learned her lesson a few times when it comes to activities.
Last summer she spent a lot of time playing beach volleyball, but this summer she’s been really into golfing and horseback riding!
“I love competitive sports, I have a hard time not getting my competitive streak going, but I will say that I’m a good loser!”
Be sure to follow Shantaia across all platforms to keep up with her music and shows!
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
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.
