Page 19 - Black Velvet Issue 97

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a community and it takes a team and it takes big part of what we do, because we wouldn’t selves; because we are not going to be any-
a family. You have to have somebody that have written these songs and we wouldn’t thing else. The one thing about this band is
has a vision but you have to have people have written these albums if we didn’t want that we don’t phone anything in. Everything
help you, lift you and to facilitate that. So one the world to hear it. So each year, each time comes from a real place. Someone inter-
thing that I’m trying to do better at, in the fu- we do a record, each time we go out on tour, viewed me a while back and they had inter-
ture is, the people around me sometimes say I always want to watch the audience grow. viewed some fans at a show, one of the fans
that I’m too intense all the time,” he smiles. So as far as like doors are concerned, you they spoke to, the question was, ‘Why do
“I’m trying to find moments in the day to know opening, we have a lot of international you like Shinedown so much?’ and this
laugh a little harder and smile a bit more. things going on next year, in 2019. We’ve got young lady said, ‘I don’t like Shinedown. I
There’s a lot going on up here [he points at a lot of international things this year as well. love Shinedown,’ that was her answer. I
his head] you know, but I think for me, I hope I don’t ever want the doors to stop opening, thought that was amazing,” beams Brent.
that I’ll be able to get to that place where it’s but, I don’t expect an audience to just instan- If you are not familiar with Shinedown al-
okay to pat yourself on the back. It’s okay to taneously be like, ‘Oh it’s Shinedown and I’m ready, it’s time to pay ‘Attention Attention’ -
pat yourself on the back sometimes and tell supposed to like this,’ we are happy to work sorry, couldn’t resist - you’ll fall in love with
yourself ‘good job’. It doesn’t mean you stay for it, but we’re always going to be our- them too. “We’re quite excited about this
for a long time and you start to slack off, or selves. That’s another thing with the audi- record, I’m not going to lie,” Brent smiles. So
you start to slow down, or you don’t push ence that I really, really, respect, the are we Brent, so are we.
yourself any harder, but it’s okay to be proud audience that come and see us, or even if Visit www.shinedown.com for more info.
of yourself and take a moment to be proud we’re on a festival or what have you, when
of yourself. Then you can move on to the we walk on stage there is, I don’t know where Words by Penny and Sam Gower
next thing.” it comes from, but there seems to be a level
Band Photos By Jimmy Fontaine
So, what doors does Brent hope will of respect. They’re giving us enough time to
open for Shinedown on this album cycle? “I present ourselves but they are totally one Brent Smith Live Photo By Shari Black Velvet
always want the audience to grow. That’s the hundred percent okay with letting us be our-
SHINEDOWN