At Home With Shinedown: New Album ‘8,’ Longevity, Loss & Why Their Best Era Is Now

Chocolate chip cookies, real conversation, and a band entering one of the most powerful chapters of their career. 🍪🎸 In this intimate home hang, I welcome Shinedown as they step into a new era with their eighth studio album, EI8HT. From massive milestones to deeply personal loss, this conversation goes far beyond the music. Brent Smith and Zach Myers open up about the mindset behind the album, the emotional weight of the songs, and why this record feels like Shinedown at their most human, intentional, and fully alive. Shinedown opens up about:⚡️ The making of EI8HT and why it feels like a new era⚡️ Their record-breaking success at rock radio and what it means to them⚡️ Why this 18-song album has no filler⚡️ The songwriting, production, and emotional precision behind the record⚡️ Eric Bass’s role as producer, mixer, engineer, and creative force⚡️ Lessons from Desmond Child and the power of a great rhythm section⚡️ Influences from Elton John, Nirvana, Counting Crows, and more⚡️ Why no AI was used on the album and why the human element matters⚡️ “365,” grief, gratitude, and honoring loved ones through music⚡️ Nostalgia, Xennials, and the emotional pull of “Young Again”⚡️ Longevity, brotherhood, and how they’ve stayed connected as a band⚡️ Giving the audience their flowers and the symbolism behind the album artwork⚡️ The story behind “I’m So Glad You Asked” and Eric’s first lead vocal on a Shinedown record⚡️ “The Pilot,” Dave Bassett, and closing the album with one of its most emotional moments⚡️ Health, fitness, touring, and what it takes to perform at this level Plus: cookies, creative philosophy, deep music references, real talk about loss, and a band that continues to evolve without losing who they are. This is Shinedown: reflective, open, and in their best era yet. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://play.megaphone.fm/sxhb2ibzrw-vle8ombutpa🍪 Yes, the cookies matter. ⸻❤️ FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE TO ALLISON✅ Substack: https://allisonhagendorf.substack.com✅ YouTube: https://youtube.com/AllisonHagendorf✅ Official Website: https://allisonhagendorf.com✅ Instagram: https://instagram.com/allisonhagendorf✅ TikTok: https://TikTok.com/@allisonhagendorf✅ X: https://x.com/allihagendorf ⸻00:00 - Intro01:28 - Cookies, First Impressions & Album Conversations07:46 - Success, Accolades & Perspective11:07 - Introducing EI8HT13:16 - The Mindset Behind the Album14:30 - Erik’s Dedication & Creative Process17:25 - What Makes Shinedown Unique18:20 - Lessons from Desmond Child20:51 - Elton John & Musical Influences24:34 - Nirvana, Kurt Cobain & Counting Crows30:59 - Back to EI8HT — Starting from the Bottom33:35 - No AI — Keeping Music Human36:27 - Album Production41:00 - “365,” Loss & Personal Story48:24 - Nostalgia, Xennials & “Young Again”52:00 - Longevity & Staying Power53:23 - Unity & Festival Decisions54:20 - Album Artwork & Symbolism56:20 - “I’m So Glad You Asked”1:00:36 - Album Sequencing1:03:00 - “The Pilot” & Dave Bassett1:09:03 - Proudest Moments1:12:03 - Touring, Fitness & Physicality1:18:41 - Health & Longevity1:23:04 - Entering a New Era1:24:16 - Legacy & Impact1:27:00 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices