Experimentation sparks creativity. When Colorado-based country music band The Barlow buckled down to write and record the new album High Spirits—the band's follow-up to 2022's New Year, Old Me—there were no constraints, no boundaries, and freedom to explore and create songs that endeavor to connect with people in a meaningful way.

"We tossed the rule book out on this record," according to Shea Boynton, The Barlow's lead vocalist and guitarist. "Our goal was to create great songs, regardless of genre. This time around, we made a point to be more open to different sounds and approaches."

Boynton—who joined us for the latest episode of The Load Out Music Podcast—leads the hard touring Red Dirt country act which has spent time on the road with Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Whitey Morgan, and The Steel Woods. His bandmates include

Ben Richter on drums, Jason Berner on bass, and Brad Johnson on guitar, with an assist from Craig Bennington on pedal steel and banjo and Andy Schneider on keyboards.

Boynton gets raw and real in our conversation, not mincing words about the industry and life in today's music industry.