The promotional cycle for Shannon Smith’s debut album ‘Out of The Shadows’ didn’t take a standard route by any means. Looking beyond the typical approach of “let’s release a couple of singles over a couple of months, then get the album onto the streamers” favoured by so many in 2025, Smith started the ball rolling far earlier. His first single, the fantastic ‘Dance The Night Away’, appeared in late 2023, almost eighteen months before it was clear an album would be forthcoming.
Smith’s following single releases were alternated with releases by his partner Helen Townsend, and for those paying close attention and able to experience each track chronologically, the songs told the story of their relationship up until that point. Eventually, the material soundtracked an award winning short film (which, according to Smith, is “full of Easter eggs”) cementing the Smith/Townsend artistic partnership further.
Upon its long awaited release, ‘Out of The Shadows’ was well received, even reaching #4 on the Australian ARIA Country Chart. This, naturally, is something that pleases Shannon greatly: “I was surprised for it to chart so well”, he says, before adding that “most singles charted well too”. The fact that it got so much traction as a country album when its lead single worked a perfect retro pop sound and the record explores other avenues has also surprised him. “It’s funny how I have been called a country artist. I wouldn’t call myself country although there are some country flavours in some of my songs, but only in parts…” he says. He’s certainly not wrong.
“The album is multi dimensional genre wise. I don’t fit into any pigeonhole or genre box. But I’m glad that the country audience are into it. They’re a supportive crowd and they love their music.”
Smith’s current single, ‘I Do’, certainly doesn’t fit the country mould in the traditional sense. You could say its heartfelt and honest lyricism would appeal to the country fans, and the gentle use of strings lurking in the back of a warm musical arrangement bring a welcome sadness to Smith’s balladry, much in the way a crying steel guitar would colour a country ballad, but elsewhere, there’s more of a classic MOR quality.
The strident piano lines colour a slow melody; Smith’s acoustic guitar work calls back to a wealth of singer songwriters from the 90s, and his high toned vocals also fit with strong radio friendly vibe from yesteryear. The track has a downbeat feel, but its heartfelt tones and qualities ensure it never feels maudlin. Those already familiar with Smith’s rich musical approach and natural voice will take to this track immediately, while the faint echoes of late period Daryl Hall & John Oates (circa ‘Marigold Sky’ and ‘Do It For Love’) should hopefully greet the ears of new listeners favourably when the track is discovered on streaming services.
In terms of ongoing promotion, Smith hopes that 2026 will bring ‘Out of The Shadows’ to a new audience. In 2025, it gained success through word of mouth and people picking up the physical record in the “old fashioned” way. This year, it’s finally headed for the big streamers, and Smith expects that will also help the record gain more traction. “It’s crazy where my music is listened to already, but I’m interested in seeing where that goes when [the album] is released to the streaming services, and if there’s any way that it brings any conversion of fans and sales. I wouldn’t bank on it, but it will be interesting to see.”
‘Out of The Shadows’ is still a relatively new release, but Smith isn’t taking time out from writing this year. “I love my album”, he says. “I put so much into it. I tried to serve each song for what it needed, which is why it’s so varied. There’s definitely a rock aspect that hasn’t come out too much in this album, but I’m writing new stuff and it’s more pop rock I would say. I have such a wide taste in music and I think it shows across the album in some capacity.”
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Shannon’s current single ‘I Do’ is available now from the digital vendor of your choice and streaming in various places. ‘Out of The Shadows’ can be purchased from Shannon Smith’s Bandcamp page here. Helen Townsend’s ‘Take It Or Leave It’ album can be purchased from her Bandcamp page here.