In a European exclusive, Kane sits down with Principle to discuss The High Road, where he sees country music heading, his upcoming tour, and the new music he’s already begun working on.

Suit and tie Helen Anthony / Shirt The Frankie Shop / Boots Christian Louboutin / Glasses Akila / Ring Bleue Burnham / Earrings Artists own

Last month, you released your new album, The High Road, which has already been a big success for you. How have you felt about the reception so far?

Yeah man, it’s been good just to have the album out. I really got personal on this album, so it just feels good to share that with the world. I’m just really excited that it’s out. It’s been three years since my last record, Different Man. I’m actually already working on new music, but just all the positive feedback I’ve received and seeing that my single [“Backseat Driver”] is doing well at Country Radio has been great.

What inspired the title, The High Road? How do you relate to that on a personal level?

Well, we have a song that was supposed to be on the album titled that. However, it wasn’t ready to be released yet. When we couldn’t figure out a title, that one just made the most sense just of what the song was talking about and just how I am as a person as I’m always trying to keep my head up when we are travelling so much. I worked on that song with Jonny [Jonathan Capeci] who is still working on it. We’ve just gotta go back into the room together and complete it.

Coat Helen Anthony / Trousers Boy London / Boots Grenson / Necklace Serge DeNimes / Rings Bleue Burnham / Earrings Artist’s own

You previously expressed that you took risks with this album, which you said you were scared to do in the past. Did the prejudice you faced and the constant questioning of whether you belonged in country music impact this?

Yeah. Country music is a very tight-knit genre, so when you’re coming in, I feel like you gotta prove something. For me, it was a little scary throughout the years but I got through it by being myself. In the end, it has worked out for me. 

How do you feel country music has evolved over the last few years? And where do you see it heading?

I definitely see the sound evolving. I feel like there’s a different sound for everybody who wants to listen to country music. That’s also what’s cool about country music. It’s his own genre, but the genre is massive and there’s plenty of room for new sounds and instruments to be put with other melodies. There’s just such a wide range in country music, especially now. I’m really excited about the genre and where it’s headed. 

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How did you feel about the likes of Beyonce and Shaboozey receiving recognition at this year’s Grammys after artists like yourself have helped push the envelope within the country world?

It was cool. If I’m honest, it’s kind of a touchy subject. I don’t want to get on it too much. Like I said, it’s really cool that country music has opened its doors to everybody now. I can say that, at least. 

I want to talk to you about a couple of songs on the album. “Haunted,” a collaboration with Jelly Roll, has caught the attention of many. The track tackles the subject of depression and mental health, which isn’t the first time you’ve done this. Why has it been important for you to be so open about your mental health over the years to help break that stigma?

I think it’s really important for guys to talk about it because, you know, females, they all talk with their friends — they talk about everything. I feel like guys are kind of shielded off and then it can be too late and then they might not be here anymore. It has been important for people to hear me sing about these topics in my songs because I want people to know that it’s fine to talk about, no matter what. You don’t have to worry about your man card when it comes to talking about depression. 

Suit and tie Helen Anthony / Shirt The Frankie Shop / Boots Christian Louboutin / Glasses Akila / Ring Bleue Burnham / Earrings Artists own

I heard you wrote that song in a haunted hotel in Manchester over here in the UK.

Yes, sir. It was a cool hotel. We were in a bank vault-style hotel, basically. After looking at the pictures on the wall, it was as if we were supposed to write the song that ended up being “Haunted.” From there, it just started spilling out. I’ll never forget that moment. I wrote it with Jaxson Free and Gabe Foust. 

You collaborated with your wife, Katelyn Brown, on two more tracks for this album following the success of “Thank You.” How did the opportunity come about to record more music together?

Well, I mean, we live together, so the opportunities there [laughs]. There will probably be more music to come later. We’re just having fun with it. We have got a new studio so we can hop in there whenever we want. With this record and the songs with Kate, we always get to have a good time and chill.

You also worked with Brad Paisley on the album for “Things We Quit.” He is a huge icon in country music. What was that like?

Brad is awesome. He’s always been a role model for me and I was super grateful that he jumped on the song. When I posted it about a year ago, everybody said it sounded like a Brad Paisley song. From there, we asked him to jump on it and he did and played the solo. I don’t expect anybody to ever say yes, everybody can say no, so I’m just thankful that he did.

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My personal favourite collaboration on the album is “Rescue” with Khalid. Your voices blend well together. 

Thank you. Khalid is my boy. I asked him to jump on that song right after we did BMO Stadium in LA. He was talking about how he wanted to work in the country genre and told him I was about to release my album and release that song, so I asked him if he wanted to be a part of a country album. Before that, we had already done a couple of songs together. The “Saturday Nights REMIX” and “Be Like That” with Swae Lee.

Later this year, you will be taking all of this new music on a world tour, which will include your biggest shows in the UK to date. Will you be approaching this tour differently from previous ones?

This tour we’re gonna bring more music off the new album, which we rarely do. We usually just play like our big hits. There’s gonna be constant energy and then a little more storytelling. Our aim is to try and put on a show of different emotions. 

Is there any song in particular that you are excited to debut?

I’m looking forward to getting out there, honestly. But I’m really looking forward to doing this little campfire session that we’ve been talking about. We’re just gonna break down the songs and try and get the crowd to relate to us and the songs a little more. 

Coat Helen Anthony / Trousers Boy London / Boots Grenson / Necklace Serge DeNimes / Rings Bleue Burnham / Earrings Artist’s own

Does playing to a UK crowd feel different from when playing in the States? 

Yeah, they definitely know the deep cuts. Everybody knows ’em. But I will say, when I’ve come over to play, I’ve always just kind of tried to bring energy and just play, play, play. And I’ve never taken the time to sit there and talk to the audience. But I’m also kind of nervous because I feel like I always mess up in a very uneducated way when I come over there. I’m gonna try and get on a personal level next time I come back. 

With such an in-demand career and a busy career, do you struggle to maintain normality? 

Oh no, buddy. I’m as normal as it gets.

Suit and tie Helen Anthony / Shirt The Frankie Shop / Boots Christian Louboutin / Glasses Akila / Ring Bleue Burnham / Earrings Artists own

Do you think becoming a father has changed your perspective on life or your career in any way? 

Yeah, definitely. I’m just chilling at the house now with [the kids]. Seeing them makes me happy. When I was a younger artist, I was always out trying to hang out with people, trying to do stuff, and now, if I’m not touring, I’m just comfortable being at home with them and hanging out. 

Have you set yourself any goals for 2025?

I would like to try and release some more music. I know I just released that album, but just to get even more music out would be cool. 

How far into the creative process are you yet?

I probably got four or five songs done in the new year. Like, not all of ’em are finished, but some that are started. The hardest part is probably trying to figure out if that’s the direction you want to go. I always write and then once I get that first song I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, I really love this one.’ That’s when you start to follow a particular direction. I don’t know if we have that one yet. 

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People primarily know you for being a musician. Are there any other avenues you’d like to tap into, such as fashion or acting?

Oh yeah, I love fashion. I love acting too, but in fashion, you just need a mean mug really, and I feel like I got the face down for that [laughs]. I love clothes. I just love dressing up. I try to do fashion every day. If it looks cool, I’m down to try. I’m down to put anything on. That’s why it was cool shooting for the magazine because there were some things that I definitely would not have typically worn. I feel like when it comes to that stuff just dress me and see how it goes. 

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