Shantaia: Nation’s Subsequent Large Voice Is Simply Getting Began

Should you don’t know her identify already, her powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence make sure you’ll be listening to it in all places quickly.

One in all nation’s freshest rising voices, Shantaia (pronounced shan-TAY-uh) is an award-winning singer/songwriter initially from Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, Canada, now based mostly in Nashville, TN. With earlier hits like “Broke to Model New” and “Sooner Horses,” she continues to construct a world fan base. Her current single, “What I Wouldn’t Do,” was co-written with longtime collaborator Ryan Sorestad and Grammy-nominated producer Curt Chambers. The track marked a smoldering sonic shift to her now signature mix of soul-infused trendy nation. Her subsequent single, “Rose Coloured Glasses,” drops July twenty fifth, 2025.

Shantaia just lately took the time to speak with SWAGGER about life, music, horses, and far more. 

SWAGGER: What’s your earliest reminiscence of falling in love with music?

Shantaia: My earliest reminiscence of falling in love with music was after I began to write down songs at 9 years outdated. I went from only a pupil of music, taking classical singing classes, piano and guitar classes, to freedom to precise myself by way of the whole lot I had studied and discovered about music. I used to be now creating my very own chord progressions, my very own lyrics, and my very own melodies. It was exhilarating! I additionally keep in mind being extraordinarily decided to be taught my favourite songs on guitar, taking them again to my cousin Riley (who was my guitar trainer on the time) and being keen to indicate him that I used to be in a position to train myself “Our Tune” by Taylor Swift earlier than he might present me. I used to be perhaps 8 on the time!

SWAGGER: Rising up in Saskatchewan, how did your environment affect your songwriting?

Shantaia: I believe rising up in a small city and such a rural space, spending most of my time on my grandparents farm, driving horseback and really doing all of the nation stuff you hear about in nation music, has made my music really genuine. I lived and breathed it. I used to be a small city/farm child from rural Saskatchewan. It’s not one thing I’m all the time writing about as a result of that would get redundant, however it’s one thing I do know nicely and might mirror on when wanted. My track “Sooner Horses” pulls reminiscences from after I was 15 and in search of my first automotive. My brothers had mustang automobiles and I needed a mustang as nicely. My dad didn’t deem it a protected automotive for his “little woman” however satirically, I had spent my entire life driving horses. I had been bucked off, damaged bones and a ruptured spleen. The automotive was in all probability safer! That concept sparked what the track stands for. Having a powerful sense of independence and confidence!

SWAGGER: Was there a selected artist or album that made you say, “I need to do that for the remainder of my life”?

Shantaia: There’s positively been a couple of in my life. Early on I used to be closely uncovered to artists like Martina Mcbride, Shania Twain and Taylor Swift. As a younger woman, I seemed as much as these artists and felt I might do it too. In my teenagers/late teenagers, Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton turned large influences on my profession, and the way it has developed. Except for these artists, I pull loads of affect now from Fleetwood Mac, Teddy Swims, John Mayer, Lake Avenue Dive and extra.

SWAGGER: What’s been probably the most surprising problem in your path as an artist?

Shantaia: To be fully trustworthy, cash. As an artist, it appears like just about everybody else round you possibly can rely on getting paid apart from your self. I’ve needed to work actually exhausting to maintain my head above water. I grew up good, however my household doesn’t come from cash. My dad and mom are center class, exhausting staff, however I do really feel this has given me the instruments to be the toughest working individual within the room. I believe once you’re rising up saying “I need to be an artist”, it isn’t till later that you simply notice it isn’t an inexpensive business to be in. The opposite problem I believe I’ve needed to overcome isn’t everybody goes to be your cheerleader and your good friend on this enterprise, and that’s okay. You must discover your individuals who will cheer you on whilst you cheer them on, and drown out the remainder of the noise and distraction.

SWAGGER: Was there ever a second the place you virtually gave up on music — and what pulled you again?

Shantaia: Really, by no means. I’ve all the time gone full drive, and after I ran right into a wall, I’d discover a means round it. I’ve all the time been the form of one who can hear one million no’s however will pivot to seek out the one “sure”. I let myself rant and really feel pissed off about sure issues, however quitting has by no means been an choice. I believe I simply love the music an excessive amount of and know that is the place I’m destined to be!

SWAGGER: How did transferring to Nashville change you personally and professionally?

Shantaia: Personally, I’ve grow to be much more unbiased (if that was even attainable), however I’ve additionally discovered life lengthy friendships with like minded individuals. Shifting to Nashville actually gave me loads of readability and development as an individual. Professionally, it has been the most effective factor for me. I’ve grow to be a greater singer, musician/guitar participant, songwriter and producer due to Nashville. Dwelling right here will be probably the most inspiring factor if you happen to let it!

SWAGGER: In an business that always depends on groups and massive labels, you’ve taken a hands-on method to your music and profession — was that out of necessity, imaginative and prescient, or each — and the way has it formed your id as an artist?

Shantaia: I believe the hands-on method positively stemmed from each. As an unbiased artist, it’s important to work out how to economize or get issues carried out faster. I’m an especially inventive individual, even visually. I’ve a powerful imaginative and prescient for the way I need graphics, wardrobe, images and video to look, so I’m very concerned with that course of. I’ve additionally been very concerned on a manufacturing entrance. Understanding what I needed was by no means a problem, as I’m very strong-minded and choosy, however I believe the longer I’ve needed to “do it myself”, the extra I’ve actually discovered my sound, my look, and my model, which is such a robust factor. I form of really feel prefer it’s my tremendous energy.

SWAGGER: What’s one thing followers could be shocked to study you? 

Shantaia: I’m a fairly open ebook with my followers, there’s not loads I don’t share or haven’t shared prior to now! I suppose one thing individuals wouldn’t find out about me is I used to be an academic assistant for 4 years. I might rehearse with my band within the evenings, play reveals on the weekends and all summer season when faculty was out! When Covid hit, I misplaced my job like everybody else and took that as an indication to go full time into music!

SWAGGER: How do you keep grounded in who you might be, even when the business desires to form you?

Shantaia: I believe this takes me again to the “do it your self” idea. Should you can be taught all features of this enterprise and business, you’ll have a a lot stronger sense of self which is able to hold you from permitting the business to show you into one thing you’re not. Should you can construct one thing YOU love, with individuals round you who additionally see that imaginative and prescient and assist it, then the best individuals within the business will need to work with you BECAUSE you already know who you might be already. Be a workforce participant, however belief your self at the start. You don’t want another person to let you know who you might be. That’s boring!

SWAGGER: What message or feeling do you hope individuals take away after listening to your songs?

Shantaia: I actually hope my music can instill confidence, particularly the brand new music I’m engaged on. I all the time need individuals to seek out their story or themselves by some means in my music, even when they’ve skilled one thing totally different than I’ve. When it comes all the way down to it, music actually is all about connection.

For extra particulars on the place you could find Shantaia’s music and see her carry out stay, go to www.shantaiamusic.com/.