A upcoming country music artist, Jennifer Smestad is making her way in the country music scene and has a brand new single to share which she just released today!

The singer songwriter recently got to chat with me about some of her favorite artists and who she would love to do a collaboration with. Along with that, Smestad talked about how music has helped her through some personal challenges and the story behind her new single out today, Can’t Have Mine!

Emily Ann Wells: Who are some of your favorite artists and why?
Jennifer Smestad: I grew up on 90s country, so I love Tim & Faith, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Reba. Listening to them feels nostalgic, and their music helped form who I am as a person, an artist, and a songwriter. I also really love Kacey Musgraves. Her music is the perfect combination of simple, yet complex in the best, most artistic way possible. Just go listen… you won’t regret it. 

EAW: What has been one of the best pieces of advice you have gotten since moving to Nashville?
JS: “Get a lawyer”. Kidding, but seriously. Before you sign any deal, make sure you have a great entertainment attorney on your side! 

The best piece of advice I’ve been given is to “enjoy the journey”. Be grateful for what you have here and now and learn to have fun on your journey to “making it”. It will probably end up being the best time you’ve had.

EAW: Is there a story behind how your new song, Can’t Have Mine, came to be?
JS: Like most songwriting sessions go, my co-writers (Shelby Darrall and Noby Sidez) and I started the write off by talking about life, which quickly turned into being vulnerable about our personal lives and relationships. Shelby had the idea, “you took your time, now you can’t have mine”, which was inspired by a guy in her life who didn’t value her or her commitment to him. Noby and I loved the idea, so we went with it and started pouring out lyrics, melodies, and ideas. It was easy for me to personally relate to this song because of what I’ve experienced in past relationships, so it came naturally to remember how that felt and I was able to pour those emotions into the song.

EAW: You’ve had some challenges in your life. How did music help you with them?
JS: Music still helps me with life challenges. There’s something very healing and therapeutic about relating to a song and feeling the words hit you in the heart and gut. A song is a three minute escape from the real world, and as a kid it helped me forget about my struggles for a moment and distract my brain from a negative spiral. It also helped me get out my emotions in a healthy way by singing and screaming and dancing and crying along to a (probably sad) song. One of my favorite things to do today to set my mind on things above is to turn on worship music and give thanks and praises to God. It’s probably my number one healing mechanism.

EAW: If you could do a collaboration with any artist, who would it be and why?
JS: I have two artists that I’d really love to collab with, Dierks Bentley and Lewis Capaldi. Dierks and I are both from Arizona, both in country music, and both love aviation (I come from a family of pilots). I haven’t met him yet, but would love to write, sing on a duet, and tour with him. Lewis Capaldi is the dream pop collab. I might be biased, but I think our voices would blend really well together and it would be one powerful crossover country/pop duet!

EAW: What is something you would like to accomplish in your career before the end of this year?
JS: My Opry debut and a song on the radio!

It’s clear to see Jennifer Smestad is a bright country music artist! She understands from a personal aspect how much music can help fans get through a difficult time and have a connection with a song. Jennifer Smestad will definitely have a wonderful journey in country music! You can check out her new single, Can’t Have Mine available now!

Be sure to follow Jennifer Smestad on her social media including on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and at her website, www.jennifersmestad.com.

What do you think of my Exclusive Interview with Jennifer Smestad? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment below or on social media!