Keith Urban's Best Advice to New Artists: 'There Are No Rules'

Keith Urban is one of the biggest country music superstars of this generation, with a career that has spanned more than 25 years. So it makes sense that talented singers and aspiring artists often reach out to Urban for advice, although he is quick to deflect the question, whenever he is asked.

“I always hate giving advice because everyone’s got their own journey, and there are no rules,” Urban says (via radio station WKML). “That’s number one, there are no rules.”

The 56-year-old maintains there are numerous illustrations of artists, of all genres, who went against the proverbial rules, and created a successful career as a result.

“That’s really what art is about,” Urban says. “Art is about expressing truthfully. And everything they said you shouldn’t do, this person did, and it’s remarkable and unlike anybody else.”

While Urban may not offer words of wisdom about how someone else should shape their career, he does say there is one thing that over the years he has found to be especially important.

“I do think one constant is having people around you that you really trust, who really have your back, and who are really going, to be honest with you and don’t have agenda pro or con,” Urban maintains. “If they are true and you believe them, they can help you stay on track. I think that’s important, and I don’t think that’s ever gonna change.”

Urban’s next album, HIGH, will be released on September 20. The 12-track record includes “Wildside,” his “Go Home W U” duet with Lainey Wilson,” “Straight Line” and his current Top 20 single, “Messed Up As Me.”

“What makes you ‘high’ can mean whatever you want it to mean,” Urban says. “It might be physical, spiritual, herbal, meditative, chemical or musical, but it’s definitely a place of utopia.”

“For me it’s my family, my friends, and this rollercoaster musical journey I’m on,” he continues. “Playing guitar, writing songs and the place where I always feel high – playing live. Every night I get a chance to bring an energy and a release to people.”

HIGH comes on the heels of the album Urban created and then scrapped. It was a devastating decision for Urban, but one he is now grateful for, as it helped him create HIGH.

“This album is the result of a prior record I started in 2022,” Urban said on social media. “It’s 40 minutes top to bottom, and is completely expressive, true, honest and is so much more of what I actually wanted to say when making that scrapped record. I hope these songs bring you joy, levity, some new understanding, energy, and escape!”

Urban will kick off his HIGH in Vegas residency on October 4 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. All of Urban’s music and upcoming shows, at KeithUrban.com.

Photo byCMA