Dierks Bentley. Photo Credit: Robby Klein.
Country star Dierks Bentley chatted about his latest studio country album “Broken Branches,” which was released on June 13th.
His new 11-track album features a cross-generational lineup of collaborators, which includes Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert and Stephen Wilson Jr.
Throughout his respected career in the country music industry, Bentley has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, and he is the winner of three Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, and three Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards.
Bentley on the theme of the album
“I was going for a little bit of a theme,” Bentley admitted. “I was leaning into the songs, that’s where it all started, and trying to find the messages in the songs. ‘Broken Branches’ got sent my way, and I found a pretty good place to revolve a record around.”
Bentley continued, “Where I sit in my career, I can look at the guys that came before me and all the new guys coming up, and what they all have in common is the idea of being a broken branch.”
“Everybody that has come to this town is doing something a little bit different than their family has done before… they are coming here and chasing this crazy, honky tonk country dream and being a black sheep in the family,” he elaborated.
“They are doing things a little bit differently, and all that comes with that… the highs and lows, the faith and brokenness and redemption and small-town life. That felt like the place to start from,” he said.
Lessons learned about himself from this album
On the lesson learned from this album, Bentley responded, “I don’t know if I learned anything about myself; it wasn’t much of a personal journey.”
“I know I love making country records, I love living in Nashville, and all that is happening in music right now,” he admitted.
“I find it to be so exciting and fun to have a great view of all the new guys coming up, and the other guys that are having second and third careers. It is just a great time in country music,” Bentley acknowledged.
Bentley on finding beauty and peace in his craft and artistry
When asked if he has peace in doing what he does best (and staying true to his own artistry), Bentley remarked, “Where I am now, I am really comfortable in doing the best I can do.”
“I am definitely not chasing anything,” he conceded. “I don’t want to spend my life just looking at the rear-view mirror of all my accomplishments or what could have been.”
“I want to be focused on what is happening now and in the future,” he revealed. “I am celebrating the new guys and girls that are coming up.”
“There are so many great artists out there. I feel lucky to have the seat that I have to watch them do what they are doing,” he added.
Bentley on the digital age of music
On being an artist in the digital age, at a time when streaming, technology, and social media are so prevalent, Bentley remarked, “When it comes to social media, I hate doing TikTok videos, or ‘Tic Tac,’ as I call it just to annoy people, I don’t want to be involved in it. I have a flip phone and I just want to live my life.”
“I want to play live music and just hang out with my band, and play shows and see people in person and have conversations,” he said.
“I am doing the work when it comes to the tour and these albums,” he admitted.
“I am not resting on my laurels but I am very happy with the little spot that I have carved out and I am still being competitive and working hard and trying to get the win every night,” he explained.
“Broken Branches” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
For more information on acclaimed country singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley, follow him on Instagram and visit his website.
Read More: “Broken Branches” album review.
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