As you may know, here at Country Evolution, we have an affinity for neo-traditional and throwback country sounds. That’s why we love Justin Biltonen, as his songs are reminiscent of the styles we love.
Continuing to progress further into a solo career, The 3 Doors Down bassist enjoys alternating between rock and country music. “I get to have all my sides represented,” he explained. “It’s a huge blessing, being able to play rock shows with 3 Doors Down and go play country shows on my own.”
Biltonen started playing guitar when he was 10 years old. Towards the end of middle school and in high school, he played in the church band, which is around the time he began writing his own songs. In his early to mid-twenties, he began travelling frequently, playing in bands, and shaping who he is as an artist.
When Biltonen moved to Nashville, he began writing with James House, who wrote quite a few notable songs. “He was very accustomed to the Nashville songwriting way,” the artist began. Learning from House enhanced his writing style. “He took me under his wing and we wrote a bunch of songs together over a year and a half.“ It led to more writing in that style in Nashville with different friends.
From there, Biltonen eventually joined 3 Doors Down and continues to tour with the band while pursuing his solo career as well.
“Heartache Rodeo”
Biltonen’s latest single stems from his love of the rodeo. It was a part of his life from a young age, first attending and later on performing at them. “I’ve always loved it, but I never did it,” he said.
The singer described how heartache and love are similar to a rodeo and that’s where the title originated. “I always wanted to write a song with that imagery,” Biltonen stated. He brought the title and idea into his cowrite with Corey Lee Barker and Daniel Kleindienst and they immediately knew which direction he was going with it, since they grew up with the same fervor for the rodeo.
That’s typically how he writes most of his songs, starting with an idea. “Sometimes you go in and everything comes together right then. Someone says something and it sparks an idea “ He explained that cowriting is very open-ended and the ideas tend to build off of each other.
Sacred West Trading Co.
Biltonen launched an apparel and southwest-style jewelry company and hopes to ramp up in 2022. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn and just started putting it together and making pieces for different people,” he said. Biltonen even gifted some of his rings to family members over Thanksgiving.
Up Next for Justin Biltonen
In addition to the singles he’s released, he’s been writing more songs toge recording, and has plans for a 2022 release. He’s currently touring and you can find the schedule on his website.
