Conner Smith Visits a New Lane onThe Storyteller: 'I'm Just Figuring Out Who I Want to Be as an Artist' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Conner Smith.Photo:cooper smith

cooper smith

Conner Smithhas every right to be tired.

“I need a break,” Smith, 24, told PEOPLE during a backstage interview before a close to sell-out Chicago last November. “I’ve hit a wall.”

The country music artist has quickly gained steam from a combination of insane talent and good looks has spent most of the past year on the road, not only withLuke Bryanon his 2024 Farm Tour but also on not one, but two of his own headlining tours — and he’sjust announced another.

“This past year has been crazy in every way,” he said. “It’s all blessings, but yeah, I’m at a place where I need to allow myself to rest.”

“It never truly makes sense to me that people show up,” admitted Smith with a laugh. “That still feels weird to me, but I’m grateful they do.”

In 2024 alone, Smith released a total of three new music collections, with perhaps his most impressive being his latest EP,TheStoryteller.

“There’s a lot of heart in it,” said Smith ofThe Storyteller. “I think that was the goal. Every day, I’m just figuring out who I want to be as an artist. And I thinkThe Storytellerfor me was the last piece that I hadn’t shown yet.”

Certainly, Smith’s past songs such as “I Hate Alabama” and “Learn from It” could have easily pigeonholed him into a certain sound, but the fact is that Smith is too darn smart for that. “If I want to be known as anything in this industry, the highest compliment anyone could give me is saying, ‘You’re a talented songwriter,'” he explained. “I wanted to try to expose that and show that.”

Conner Smith.cooper smith

And unlike many of his country music counterparts looking for their next No. 1 hit or viral video, Smith said he just wanted to make sure the songs ofThe Storytellersaw the light of day.

“Somewhere along the way, I got really in my head about writing songs for others’ approval or writing songs for what the label wants to hear or what I think will react on TikTok,” Smith admitted of songs such as the endearing “Faith From a Farmer.” “But something happened onThe Storytellerthat was very authentic.”

That’s not to say that there isn’t standout tracks worthy of getting Smith back on the country music charts again onThe Storyteller. Take, for example, fan-favorite “Nostalgia.”

And a few months back, Smith was just feeling nostalgic about heading home.

“I’ve been on the road every weekend since June,” said Smith, whomarried surfer Leah Thompson last April. “I’m gone all the time. It takes a very strong woman to be able to handle this kind of lifestyle. Leah is just so competent, secure, and just does it all so well.”

It’s just all a part of the story of Conner Smith.

“Lifeis a story,” he concluded. “We’re all just trying to figure it out. I mean, I’m getting to know myself. I’m still growing up. I don’t know who I am yet. My goal has always been just to be with my fans and let’s take that journey together. Let’s be in that story together of just growing up as the music grows up.”

source: people.com