Shinedown frontman Brent Smith recently discussed the band’s creative approach and their commitment to artistic freedom. He shared his thoughts in an interview with ALT 98.7 FM.
The conversation centered around whether the band ever considers departing from their established sound to create something completely different from their typical style.
When asked if there’s ever an urge to go so far off their usual path that it wouldn’t sound like Shinedown, Smith provided insight into the band’s creative philosophy.
“I mean, that gets brought up, you know, I think at least, you know, once or twice during an album cycle when we’re like kind of because we don’t ever look at album cycles like you finish those,” Smith said. “Like, you don’t finish them. You release them to the world and they live forever even after you’re gone, you know.”
Smith elaborated on the band’s approach to creating new music and their relationship with their fanbase.
“So I think that a lot of times we’re never walking in there. We’re, and I’ve said this at, you know, probably at nauseium, but the fact of the matter is is we just hold true to that idea of when we go in there, we’re trying not to make the same record twice and we’re trying to not write the same song over and over again,” he continued. “You know, you want to super serve certain parts of your core audience, but our audience, whether they’ve been there from the beginning or they’re just kind of figuring out who we are.”
The singer emphasized the trust between the band and their audience that allows for creative freedom.
“It’s pretty much established in the beginning of that relationship between us and our audience. Like, we’re going to do what we want to do when we’re in there because they allow us to be ourselves,” Smith said. “So, I could tell you, you never know what we’re going to do.”
Smith’s comments reflect a broader philosophy that has guided Shinedown throughout their career. They demonstrate the band’s commitment to artistic evolution while maintaining their core identity.
This creative approach has been instrumental in shaping the band’s sound over the years. The Songfacts Podcast revealed that Eric Bass, Shinedown’s bassist and producer, has shaped the band’s sound over the last 15 years. He serves not just as a performer but as the creative force behind their albums Attention Attention and Planet Zero. This demonstrates the band’s commitment to evolving their sonic direction across multiple releases.
The band’s willingness to experiment extends beyond their traditional rock sound. The Songfacts Podcast noted that Eric Bass’s solo album I Had a Name is described as a dystopian concept record that plays like a rock opera. This showcases his willingness to experiment with ambitious, cinematic storytelling. This experimental approach to album construction suggests the band’s broader philosophy of not constraining themselves to a single sound.
Shinedown’s openness to diverse creative partnerships further illustrates their refusal to be boxed into one genre. The Songfacts Podcast reported that the band had an unexpected musical collaboration with Sylvester Stallone. This indicates their willingness to explore unconventional creative territories.
This artistic flexibility has allowed Shinedown to maintain relevance across different musical landscapes while staying true to their core values. The band’s approach of treating each album as a living entity that continues to evolve after release reflects their understanding that music transcends the boundaries of traditional album cycles and genre classifications.
