Kat Harlton
Nashville based Country artist, Scott Stevens recently released his debut single “I Feel Good”, via all digital streaming platforms. Drawing inspiration from country innovators like Keith Urban and Brad Paisley, the single is equal-parts Southern rock and sincere country flair, making it the perfect track for any summer playlist.
Stevens had been writing and performing songs for years, dating back to his earliest days singing in church and then as a fixture on the college-bar circuit while attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Stevens has played alongside country music legends such as Gary Allen, Rodney Atkins and up and coming country star Morgan Wallen. He recently played the CMA Fest in Nashville and is currently working on his debut album.
We had the opportunity to catch up with the rising country star to talk songwriting, country music and career highlights.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your debut single “I Feel Good”?
Scott: I had gone weeks with this chanty tri-syllabic chorus hook in my head. Singing it all the time. I’m not sure where it even came from. Songs are magical and no one can really explain that. But at that point I had recently realized who I was as an artist. Sounds bougie but it’s true… I knew what I sounded like, what my message was, etc. And that felt good. All the bullshit that would otherwise influence me to do/say/feel something different was all of a sudden… silly. I grew up on country and stories in song, so as I often do, I channeled all that direction in the form of a story. A proverb of encouragement to be true to yourself. From there it all just fell on me from the sky. I collaborated with my co-writer Alex Marshall not long after and we locked the groove down. We were receptive and honest and something pretty cool came out.
Kat: You’ve been writing and performing songs for years, can you share your songwriting process with us?
Scott: Man for me it’s really just being honest with how I’m feeling. I find that if I maintain that, only then does the magic happen. The good idea, the worthwhile melody to chase, the lyric that says everything. Once the lightning strikes I strap in and sit for hours (over days, weeks, even months) and chase that spark.
Kat: You’ve played alongside country music legends such as Gary Allen, Rodney Atkins and up and coming country star Morgan Wallen. Is there a moment that stands out as a career highlight for you so far?
Scott: I’ve definitely gotten some cool opportunities and what not but my career highlight so far is by far this music I’ve made. All I aimed at was making good music and I like to think I did it. Beyond that, what else is there?
Kat: Is there an artist you’d like to perform with, that you haven’t had the chance to yet. Or a song you’d love to do a cover of?
Scott: Yes, just the other day I started planning a cover of “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon. It’s gonna be fucking insane.
Kat: What’s next? Tour? album?
Scott: Honestly, I’m just trying to figure out a way to make myself disappear on stage.
For more on Scott Stevens visit: https://www.scottstevensmusic.com