Country rocker Shawn Daniels is turning up the heat with the release of his sophomore single,“Country Wild”, available today across all streaming platforms. Following the success of his February debut “Louder Than 10,” which was added into rotation on a dozen Country radio stations across Canada, Daniels’ new track is a high-octane celebration of love, wide open spaces, and untamed country nights.
Daniels captures the pulse of rural romance and country living on “Country Wild” — a boot-stomping, Southern rock-infused anthem that’s a guaranteed hit for your summer playlist. Co-written by Daniels and Grammy Award-winner Brian Howes, who also produced the track, the song blends raw energy with radio-ready hooks, creating a fresh take on modern country that hits all the right notes.
To celebrate the release, Daniels will be performing live at The Barn Country Bar in Surrey, BC on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Tickets are available now for $15 plus service charge, with $5 from each ticket supporting local charity Blanket BC, which helps provide warmth and dignity to those in need across the province.
Known for his dynamic stage presence and bold, unapologetic songwriting, Daniels is quickly carving out a space for his distinct brand of Outlaw Country in Canada, delivering a sound made for a new generation of country fans.
Tickets and more information available at https://barncountrybar.com/events/
“Country Wild” has a big, anthemic feel to it—perfect for summer playlists. What inspired you to write the song?
I wanted to create a song that really captures that undeniable Country Lovin’ feeling—that mix of freedom, fire, and a whole lot of heart. With “Country Wild,” I set out to paint a picture of the country lifestyle in all its messy, beautiful glory. Dirt roads, bonfire nights, cold beer, and young love that feels like it could last forever. It’s all about that rush you get from a summer night with the windows down and the music up, driving with someone who makes your heart race. I imagined a small-town love story unfolding under open skies, where everything feels bigger and more alive. That’s the spirit I wanted to bottle up in this song—something anthemic and bold, but also rooted in the kind of real, down-home emotions we all feel.
How would you say “Country Wild takes the style from your debut, Louder Than Ten, to the next level with its mix of Southern rock and contemporary country?
“Country Wild” takes what I started with “Louder Than Ten” and pushes it into a new gear. It still holds onto that raw, outlaw country edge—gritty, bold, and unapologetic—but this time around, I wanted the sound to feel a little more polished and wide open. It leans more into my traditional country sensibilities, but the structure and production are built to hit harder on the radio. It’s still got that rebellious spirit, but now it rides with a little more shine—like kicking up dust on a back road with the volume all the way up. It’s where my sound is headed: honest, country to the core, but big enough to fill up a summer night.
Once again, you’ve teamed up with Grammy winner Brian Howes for this single. How did his production style help bring out the raw, wild side of “Country Wild”?
Not only did he produce the track and bring that big, shiny outlaw country rock sound to the table, but he also played a huge role in elevating the songwriting. From day one, he understood the vision and knew how to take it to the next level without losing the raw heart of it. He challenged me to dig deeper lyrically, to find the lines that hit harder and tell the story in a way that feels both personal and universal. His ear for arrangement, melody, and pacing pushed the song into new territory—something that still feels rugged and rebellious, but with a clarity and focus that makes it hit even stronger. It wasn’t just about making it sound good—it was about making it mean something, and he helped me tap into that in a big way.
When you wrote “Country Wild,” was there a specific moment or experience that inspired the core idea of the song?
Back when I was in Me and Mae, we wrote a song called “Where the Good Times Roll” that really connected with people. It’s still part of my live set because every time we play it, the crowd lights up—you can feel the energy shift. When I started writing Country Wild, I found myself wanting to tap back into that same energy—but with a fresh perspective. This time, I wanted to go deeper, paint the picture a little more vividly, and bring in that sense of wild-hearted love and freedom that comes with small-town life. It was less about repeating an idea and more about evolving it—taking that same spirit and giving it a new voice.
In your last interview with Complete Country, you talked about the importance of collaborating with others in your creative process. Did any co-writers or collaborators join you for “Country Wild”?
Most definitely! Country Wild was absolutely a team effort—it really did take a whole country village to bring this one to life, and I say that only half-joking! There were four of us on the writing side: myself, my longtime production and writing partner Ted Tosoff, the incredibly talented Chandra Russell—who also lent her voice to the track—and the powerhouse songwriter and producer Brian Howes. Each person brought something unique to the table, whether it was melody, lyrical perspective, or production magic. The energy in the room during those writing sessions was electric, and I think you can feel that in the song. Collaboration like that is where the real magic happens.
“Country Wild” has strong radio vibes. How do you think this track is poised to connect with country radio audiences?
I was honestly surprised by how well “Louder Than Ten” was received at radio as a first single, especially since it leaned heavy into the guitar-driven, country rock side of things. It got added to a dozen country stations and I was certainly not expecting that type of reaction. That response showed me there’s a real appetite for modern country tracks that are different from what’s typically on the radio these days. With Country Wild, I feel like we’ve struck an even better balance—it’s still got that edge, but it leans more into a mainstream, traditional country sound that feels tailor-made for radio. It’s catchy, relatable, and think this one has the potential to really catch fire with country radio audiences.
What do you think a new country artist needs to do in today’s music landscape to stand out and succeed?
It’s simple – you’ve got to be willing to outwork everyone. That means writing constantly, recording, rehearsing, touring—and yes, selling yourself and your music every single day. It’s a 20-hour-a-day kind of hustle. But beyond that, I think too many new artists are leaning too heavily on social media and digital marketing alone. While those are important, they’re not the whole picture. What really makes the difference is having boots on the ground—just like we used to do before COVID. That means radio promo tours, live shows in every town that’ll have you, and making those personal connections that build loyal fans. In a world full of scrolling, real connection is what cuts through.
Touring has been a big part of your career, and you’ve mentioned playing major Canadian Country Music festivals with your past band. What are you most excited about when it comes to hitting the road with this new project?
I’m an adventurer at heart, so the constant motion, the long drives, the late-night diners—it all fuels me. But what really makes it special is the people. There’s something about being out there with your road family, building memories on and off stage, and connecting with fans face-to-face that you just can’t replicate anywhere else.
With this new project, I’m even more excited to hit the road because it feels like a fresh start—a chance to introduce the new music to the world in the most authentic way possible: live and loud. After years of playing festivals and stages across Canada with my former band, I’ve seen how powerful live music can be. But now, with this new sound and vision, it’s personal. I can’t wait to bring that energy to old fans, new faces, and every stage that’ll have me. There’s nothing like the buzz of a crowd singing your song back to you. That’s the fuel that keeps the wheels turning.
Are there any specific cities or venues on your touring radar right now that you hope to get to in 2025? What are your plans now that “Country Wild” has been released?
I’m kicking things off with my debut show on May 22 at The Barn in Surrey, BC, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a great spot for live country music—intimate, high-energy, and the kind of place where you can really connect with the crowd. I think it’s going to become a solid stop on the map for a lot of Canadian country acts who are coming through the West in the near future.
From there, my plan is to start local and build out—focusing on Western Canada first. I want to get back to that grassroots touring approach, hitting every town and city that’ll welcome a little country noise. Now that “Country Wild” is out, it’s all about taking the music on the road, meeting fans face-to-face, and building this thing the old-fashioned way—one show at a time.
