Nick Smith will drop his debut album New South on Friday (March 7). Ahead of the highly anticipated release, the rising country artist has chosen to preview one of the tracks for readers of Charted in this brand-new exclusive premiere.
Titled “Where I Came From,” this undeniable ear worm finds Smith paying a heartfelt tribute to his roots and those who helped shape him along the way. Giving listeners a snapshot of his life story, as the son of an arborist, who cut trees for a living, he recalls being “a kid with a big old dream.” While he has since ventured off to Nashville, Tenn., to make a name for himself, Smith sings of his deep respect for the longtime friends he made in his hometown, having grown up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in central Virginia.
“I know where I came from / Where the rolling pines meet the sky / Talkin’ bout the same ones,” Smith sings throughout the poetic chorus of the mid-tempo track. “Always with them real ones / We’ve been down the road since day one / If you know you know, can’t hide it in your soul / Got the good love runnin’ in my blood / I know where I came from.”
“I hope that my hometown and Virginia friends know that they’re one of a kind and we’re bound by blood and dirt,” Smith tells Charted of the tune that he says means so much to him. “This song fits perfectly into the record, explaining truths about Nashville versus where I came from. This song also allows me to let my hometown know that no matter how much has changed, I’m still the same ole me.”
Sonically, there’s a peaceful energy to “Where I Came From,” which features relaxing guitar picking and a soothing R&B-tinged backbeat. That, combined with Smith’s unique vocals, which bring together a mix of talking and singing similar to Sam Hunt, makes for a track worthy of a second listen. Smith, according to his bio, calls his fresh sound “New South,” providing the definition as “an innovative intersection between his love of artists in several genres (everything from Jason Aldean to Usher) and his rural upbringing.”
Sharing some insight into how “Where I Came From” came about, Smith says, “We were at the studio, and my producer was picking on his guitar, and the sound just felt so relaxing. All I could see, in my head, was my hometown Virginia friends who always had my back.”
“I could see the physical attributes of the fields, rolling pines, and how they met the sky,” he added, detailing the scenery where he grew up.”The words flowed like a river and the lyrics were complete in less than an hour. I wrote this song from my soul to thank my hometown for always being so kind to me. Especially, in music. Though I eventually had to move to Nashville to pursue music, nothing will ever beat home. I know where I came from.”
Smith shared that every time he listens to “Where I Came From,” the song becomes “a compass for my soul. It keeps me humble and I’m thankful to even have such an inspiration to be able to write songs like this.”
Smith may be new to several country music ears. But he has steadily been growing his fan base online and through live performances. His songs have reached a combined 6 million streams on Spotify. And with his New South album set to drop tomorrow, that number is bound to skyrocket!
Giving readers an idea of what they can expect from the full-length project, Smith says, “This album is a collection of songs representing a brand and a subgenre for this decade’s modern country listener. Each song is meant to take you on a different journey, full of unique rhythms and lyrical phrasings. It’s an album that brings open-minded listeners together for the love and progression of country music.”
Smith has been honing his craft for almost two decades. Before moving to Nashville he self-penned a full album, celebrating the release with a small annual festival dubbed The Bonfire Party. Seeing his supporters come through in droves, Smith’s third year with The Bonfire Party drew more than 3500 attendees, most of whom included hometown supporters. Smith officially packed his bags for Music City at age 27, taking his musical talent and successful tree-cutting business with him. Since then, he has found his sound and put together a 17-track collection called New South that he can’t wait to release.
“There’ve been times I thought I was crazy for chasing these music dreams, but then realized I don’t have a choice – music’s like a burning fire in my soul that I can’t put out. eight years ago, I realized all I ever had to do was be myself to satisfy my music dreams. Just be that tree-cuttin’ country boy that has a passion for several music genres, and within that, New South was created,” Smith said. “I finally collided with an amazing producer about 2 years ago who was able to help me finalize my New South dreams. I feel like I was put on earth to help guide those who seek happiness and inspiration. These days, I haven’t been cutting as many trees – instead, I’m cutting a lot more music. I believe that everything happens when it’s supposed to, and this is a real full-circle moment for me to be able to present my New South brand, subgenre, and album to the world. It’s been a long time coming, and somehow feels like just the beginning. I feel like these songs are my purpose in life, and I’m thankful for those who have helped me figure that out along the way.”
Photo Credit: Alejandro Medina III
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