Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Smashby is stepping into new musical territory with his latest single, “First Rodeo,” a high-energy country-pop track all about letting loose and embracing the moment. Dropping April 4 via So Fierce Music, the song is a fun, feel-good anthem—exactly what Smashby hopes people need right now.
“I hope this song lifts people’s spirits,” he says. “The LGBTQ+ community is going through a really tough period right now, and we need some joy. ‘First Rodeo’ is just a fun bop to throw on our cowboy boots and have a dance party with our besties. Or alone—those are good dance parties too.”
Even though the song is lighthearted, Smashby admits that opening up to new people isn’t always easy. “In all honesty, there’s so much violence and anger towards people like me that I don’t really feel safe dating right now,” he shares. Still, the song was inspired by a friend who reminded him that not every guy has bad intentions. But romance? Not really on his mind at the moment. “I’m perfectly happy with lassoing a fun fling every now and then.”
As for his dream cowboy? He doesn’t hold back. “Leo Woodall from the Bridget Jones movie would be a fun time. Or Robert Irwin—he’s got golden retriever energy, which I love! And for actual cowboy vibes, Orville Peck—stunnerella! Oh, and my friend met Michael B. Jordan the other day, and I’m pretty jealous of that, so we’ll add him in there too.”
Musically, “First Rodeo” blends Smashby’s signature pop sound with country influences, making it perfect for honkytonks and line-dancing nights. He credits Miley Cyrus, Kacey Musgraves, Shania Twain, and Dasha as key inspirations for the song’s sound and storytelling.
This single follows his track “Love Myself (How I Used to Love You)” and represents a new level of confidence in his artistry. “I think it shows me leaning into trusting my gut more—taking risks with production and creativity,” he says. “The song captures the energy my audience sees from me on stage.”
Co-written with Emmie Jay and Velvet Code and produced by Jon Cass and Velvet Code, the track came together effortlessly. “It was seamless—exactly how I intended from the start,” Smashby recalls. “It was just so natural to sing—this song really fits me like a glove.”
Smashby has never shied away from being himself, even when it wasn’t easy. Growing up, he dealt with relentless teasing from classmates. “To them, I was just the gay kid who wanted to be a star, and that wasn’t exactly the coolest thing in the 2000s/2010s,” he reflects. But coming out at 15 changed everything. “Once I came out, a lot of my insecurities started to disappear. I started to unlearn what had been projected onto me by society and finally got to start living within my own boundaries.”
With “First Rodeo,” Smashby is embracing his evolution while staying true to his core message—self-acceptance, resilience, and unapologetic joy. Whether it’s on the dance floor, at a honkytonk, or in the hearts of his fans, he’s proving that he’s just getting started.
“First Rodeo” drops April 4 on all major streaming platforms via So Fierce Music.