Thompson Square, comprised of husband-and-wife duo Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson, have long been one of country music’s most enduring partnerships, blending heartfelt storytelling with undeniable chemistry. Breaking through in the early 2010s, the duo quickly established themselves with a string of hits including ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,' ‘If I Didn’t Have You' and ‘Glass,' earning chart success, industry awards and a reputation for emotionally resonant, radio-ready country. Their last full-length album, ‘Masterpiece' (2018), showcased a more personal and reflective side of the pair, further cementing their place as one of Nashville’s most consistent and authentic voices.
In recent years, both Shawna and Keifer have explored creative avenues (whilst managing the responsibilities of parenting) beyond the duo format, adding new layers to their artistry and personal evolution. Shawna stepped into the spotlight with her debut solo album in 2024, revealing a more intimate, roots-leaning perspective, while Keifer has delighted fans by stepping into the realm of stand-up comedy, bringing the same sharp wit and storytelling to the stage in a completely different setting. Now, as they look ahead to their first Thompson Square album in several years, the duo return with renewed perspective, shaped by time, experience and a willingness to evolve, while still holding onto the sound and connection that made them one of country music’s most beloved acts. We caught up with them in Nashville to talk the past, the future and everything in between.
Lovely to talk to you both again. Thanks for your time. Let’s start with ‘Lay It On Me.' I love that song. It feels like a real extension of what you did with ‘Livin’ In The Country' last year. Almost like a sister track. Are these songs launching the next era of Thompson Square?
Shawna: I absolutely think they are. For us, these songs really feel like the beginning of a new chapter, because Keifer and I have been talking a lot about getting back to our roots, not just musically, but creatively as a whole. For a long time, we were in situations where there were outside voices shaping what we should sound like, what songs we should record, what radio might want, even down to image and presentation. And now, being independent, we’ve kind of stripped all of that away. It’s just us again, the two of us making music for the reasons we started in the first place. I think ‘Lay It On Me' especially captures that because it leans into a sound that feels very natural to us: a little gritty, a little funky, still country but not polished in a way that feels forced. It’s more honest.
Keifer: Yeah, and I think what ties these songs together is that they both come from a real place. ‘Livin’ In The Country' literally came from us living that life. It wasn’t some idea we cooked up in a room trying to chase a trend. And ‘Lay It On Me,' even though it’s an older song, has always felt like us at our core. It’s got that groove, that twang, that attitude: it’s country, but it’s got a little swagger to it too. We’ve always had that side of us, but we haven’t always shown it.
Shawna: That’s the big thing. I don’t think people have ever fully seen all the sides of who we are as artists. We’ve had massive songs that we’re incredibly grateful for, but sometimes those songs define you in a way that doesn’t tell the whole story. So now, with these new releases, we’re trying to open that up a little bit more and say, “This is who we really are.”
Keifer: And I do think these songs are setting the tone for what’s coming next. We’re not abandoning what people love about Thompson Square, that’s always going to be there, but we’re also not holding ourselves back anymore. This next phase is about being a lot more honest, a lot more rooted in what we grew up on, and just letting the music be what it wants to be without overthinking it.
Shawna: So yeah, if people feel like these songs are connected, that’s probably because they are. They’re definitely pointing toward what this next era of Thompson Square is going to sound like.
Q: That rural, “out in the sticks” feeling really comes through. Is that where your inspiration is coming from right now?
Keifer: Honestly, our inspiration right now is coming straight from the life we’re actually living. When I wrote ‘Livin’ In The Country,' we were literally out there in it: not writing about some idea of country life, but actually living it day to day. I remember walking outside one morning, looking around and just thinking, “Man, I love living in the country.” It wasn’t some grand songwriting moment, it was just a real, honest feeling. But then it hit me, “Wait a minute… that’s a hook.” So I grabbed my resonator, started playing around with it, and by the time I got to my write that morning with Chris Looke and Tyler Hubbard, I already had the bones of it.
And that’s kind of where our heads are at right now. We’re not trying to chase anything. We’re just paying attention to what’s right in front of us. The songs are coming from real moments, real observations, real life. Whether it’s where we’re living, what we’re going through as a family, or just those little day-to-day thoughts that hit you out of nowhere, that’s what’s driving the writing.
Shawna: Yeah, and I think there’s something really freeing about that. We’re not overthinking it as much as we maybe did in the past. Before, there was always this voice in the back of your mind — “Is this right for radio? Is this what people expect from us?” — and now that’s gone. So the inspiration is just coming from whatever feels honest in the moment.
Keifer: And even with a song like ‘Lay It On Me,' which is older, it still fits into that because it’s always felt like a true representation of us. It just hadn’t had its moment yet. So now it’s like we’re pulling from both places: what we’re living right now and things we’ve held onto that still feel authentic.
Shawna: At the end of the day, it’s just about writing songs that feel like home to us. And right now, home happens to be a little more stripped back, a little more rooted, and a lot more real than it’s been in a long time.
It feels like you’re trying to show more of who you really are as artists now.
Shawna: I think that’s exactly it. We’ve never fully shown people who we are musically. Songs like ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not' were huge for us, and we’re so thankful, but they do kind of put you in a box.
Keifer: Yeah, everybody wants everything to sound like that. But there’s never going to be another one of those songs. What we really love is traditional country, that’s what we grew up on, what we played on Broadway for years. So we’re trying to get back to that, while still keeping what fans love about Thompson Square.
Being independent now: is that liberating or is it scary?
Keifer: It’s honestly 100% both. (laughing) Completely liberating and completely terrifying at the same time. On one hand, you finally have the freedom to do exactly what you want. There’s nobody telling you what songs to cut, what direction to go in, what radio might or might not play. You’re not chasing anything anymore, you’re just making music that feels true to you. And creatively, that’s an incredible place to be.
But on the other hand, you lose all the infrastructure that comes with being on a label. You go from having this big machine behind you: radio teams, PR teams, marketing, budgets, to suddenly realising, “Oh… we were paying for all of that anyway.” And now it’s on you. You’re making the calls, you’re taking the calls, you’re booking studio time, you’re building relationships, you’re figuring out how to get your music heard. You’re the artist, the manager, the label and everything in between.
And the hardest part is finding time to actually create. You spend so much time handling the business side that you’re like, “When do I actually get to sit down and write a song?” That’s been a big adjustment for us.
We ended up moving down to Gulf Shores last year, and that was part of trying to reset a little bit, just getting away from the noise of Nashville and focusing on what matters. I’ve been writing a lot on my own, just to see what comes out when it’s just me and a guitar again. Shawna’s about to jump back into that more now too, so it’s going to be interesting to see how that evolves.
Shawna: And I think the biggest thing is just learning how to trust ourselves again. When you’ve had all those voices around you for so long, it can be hard to turn that off. But now, we get to make decisions based on what feels right to us, not what someone else thinks will work.
Keifer: It’s definitely more work, there’s no question about that. But at the same time, it feels more honest. And I think that’s what we’ve been missing. So yeah, it’s scary, but it’s also exactly where we need to be right now.
You’ve been relatively quiet in terms of releases recently. Is that down to life changes or label issues?
Shawna: I think from the outside it probably looks like we just stepped back because of life, and yes, there were definitely life things going on, but honestly, a lot of it came down to the situation we were in with the label. It really slowed everything down for us in a way that we couldn’t control. We weren’t able to release music at the pace we wanted to, and that’s frustrating as an artist because you feel like you’re standing still while everything else is moving.
Keifer: Yeah, it wasn’t by choice. We weren’t sitting there going, “Let’s take a few years off.” It was the opposite. We had music, we had an album cut, we were ready to go, and it just kept getting pushed. There was always a reason: “We’re focusing on this artist,” or “Now’s not the right time,” or “Let’s wait for this.” And it just kept dragging on and on.
And the truth is, you can’t build momentum like that. Especially now, with the way the business has changed, people expect music constantly. Every six weeks, every couple of months, there’s something new. And we just weren’t allowed to do that.
Shawna: It was frustrating because we knew we had good music, and we knew we needed to keep putting it out there, but our hands were tied.
Keifer: And then you add COVID on top of that, which just killed everything we had built with ‘Masterpiece.' That record was doing great for us independently: we toured Europe, people were singing along to the songs, it felt like we had real momentum again. And then the world just shut down. After that, we tried to rebuild, but being in that label situation just completely stalled us. I mean, I look back on it now and I feel like we lost three years. Just gone.
Shawna: And that’s hard, because you don’t get that time back.
Keifer: Yeah, I regret signing that deal every day, if I’m being honest. Shawna didn’t even want to do it, she had a gut feeling about it, and she was right. But at the same time, everything happens for a reason. As frustrating as it was, it led us to where we are now, which is being independent again and being able to move forward on our own terms.
Shawna: And I think now we’re just in a place where we’re ready to make up for lost time, but do it the right way this time.
Shawna, your solo album felt like a real love letter to traditional country. Has that influenced where Thompson Square goes next?
Keifer: Yeah, I think it’s influenced it in a really big way, honestly. That record gave us a chance to step outside of what people expect Thompson Square to be and really reconnect with the kind of music we both fell in love with in the first place. And for me, being part of that process, helping shape it, playing on it, producing it, it kind of reminded me, “Oh yeah, this is why we started doing this.” It stripped everything back to the songs, the stories, the feel.
What it did was open the door for us to realise that we don’t have to stay in one lane. Thompson Square doesn’t have to be just one thing. It can evolve. It can be a blend of what we’ve done in the past and what Shawna explored on that record.
Shawna: Yeah, for me, that solo album was very personal. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time, to really lean into that traditional country sound that I grew up on and that we both love so much. And I think going through that process reminded me how much I miss that kind of music: the storytelling, the simplicity, the honesty of it.
And now, bringing that back into Thompson Square feels really natural. It’s not like we’re trying to force a change — it’s more like we’re allowing ourselves to bring more of that into what we do.
Keifer: We see it live too. When we’re in town and we go play places like Music City Bar and Grill, where they’re playing those old-school shuffles and real traditional country, and we get up and sing those songs, you can see the reaction from people. There’s this moment where they’re like, “Wait, I didn’t know y’all did that.” And then they lean in.
Shawna: And that’s exciting, because it tells us there’s space for that. It tells us that people still want to hear that sound, and not just hear it, but feel it.
Keifer: So I think moving forward, what you’re going to hear from Thompson Square is a blend, it’s not abandoning what we’ve done, but it’s definitely bringing in more of that traditional influence, more of that raw, honest feel that Shawna tapped into on her record.
Shawna: It just feels a little more like home now, honestly. And I think that’s going to come through in the music.
Keifer, over the last few years you’ve also branched out into stand-up comedy, which feels like a very different creative outlet from what people know you for with Thompson Square. I’m really interested in that crossover. How does writing and performing stand-up compare to songwriting for you?
Keifer: It’s actually a lot more similar than people might think, but at the same time, it’s also completely different, which is kind of what makes it so challenging and so fun.
From a writing standpoint, there are definitely parallels. With songwriting, you’re building a story, you’re setting up a line, and then you’re trying to deliver something that lands: whether that’s an emotional payoff or a hook. Comedy works in a similar way, except instead of an emotional payoff, you’re chasing a laugh. You’re setting up a premise, guiding people in one direction, and then flipping it on them with a punchline. So structurally, there’s a lot of crossover there.
But the big difference is in how you refine it. With a song, you can write it, go into the studio, record it, listen back and go, “Okay, that line’s not working,” and then you fix it. You’ve got time, you’ve got space to perfect it before anyone really hears it.
With stand-up, there’s nowhere to hide. You’ve got to go out in front of a live audience and test it in real time. You find out immediately what works and what doesn’t, and if something doesn’t hit, you feel it right there on stage. So it’s a much more raw, immediate process. You’re constantly tweaking, adjusting, rewriting based on live reactions.
I’ve got enough material for a couple of hours at this point, and I’ve been doing shows in Vegas, at Zanies here in Nashville, just kind of building it piece by piece. But the hardest part is balancing it all. Between touring, writing songs, being a dad, trying to keep Thompson Square moving forward… it’s a lot. So I kind of have to compartmentalise. There are times when I’m focused on music, and then times when I’m focused on comedy. I can’t really do both at 100% at the same time.
And then there’s the other side of it: the content itself. The comedy is a little more off-colour, a little more adult. Not dirty, but definitely pushing a different edge than what people might expect from Thompson Square. So there’s always that question in the back of your mind like, “Is this going to affect what we do as a duo?” At a certain point, you just have to let that go and say, “This is another creative outlet for me.” I think people understand now that artists can exist in different spaces.
At the end of the day, it all comes back to storytelling, whether it’s a song or a joke. You’re just trying to connect with people. The way you get there is just a little different.
What actually makes the pair of you laugh? Who or what are your influences in comedy?
Keifer: Honestly, I’m pretty easy, everything makes me laugh. If something’s funny, I’m in. I don’t overthink it. But more than anything, it’s our son, Cooper. He’s ten now and he’s at that age where he’s just naturally hilarious without even trying to be. And the funny thing is, he’s grown up watching me be an idiot, so now he’s kind of inherited that same energy.
He’ll just come out with something completely random, or mimic something he’s seen, or say something with perfect timing, and it just floors us. There are moments where he’ll get both of us laughing so hard we can’t even catch our breath. And it’s not like he’s trying to do stand-up: it’s just who he is.
Shawna: Yeah, it’s definitely Cooper. There are comedians and things we enjoy, of course, but the stuff that really sticks with you day to day is what happens at home. He’ll say something or do something, and we’ll just be in tears laughing.
Keifer: It’s that age too. He’s old enough now to understand things and have real conversations, but he’s still a kid, so there’s this innocence to it. It’s not filtered. It’s just raw and honest, and that’s what makes it so funny.
Shawna: And I think because of the life we’ve had, being on the road, being around music, being around people, he’s picked up on a lot of that energy. So he’s quick, he’s observant, and he’s not shy at all.
Keifer: Yeah, I was super shy at his age. He’s the complete opposite. He’s got no fear, and that makes it even funnier because he’ll just go for it. So yeah, if you’re asking what makes us laugh, it’s him, all day long.
You’ve now been together more than 15 years. What have you learned about each other that’s kept both the band and your marriage going?
Keifer: Man, it’s been a constant learning process, and I don’t think that ever stops. People like to think, “Oh, you’ve been together this long, you’ve got it all figured out,” but the truth is, you don’t. You’re always evolving, and so is the other person. We’ve been through a lot together, personally and professionally, and that adds layers to everything.
We’re best friends, no doubt about it, but we’re also married. And marriage is real life: there are arguments, there are disagreements, there are days where you don’t want to be around each other. All of that is part of it. And then you put a career on top of that, where every decision affects both of you, and it just amplifies everything.
There have been times where we’ve had to figure out how to navigate creative differences, “I like this song,” “I don’t like that song,” “I want to go this direction,” “I don’t.” And when you’re in a duo, you can’t just go your separate ways in that moment. You have to work through it. That can be tough, but it also forces you to communicate and understand each other on a deeper level.
And then life changes. You have a kid, your priorities shift, your environment changes, we moved out of Nashville, we started homeschooling, everything looks different than it did 10 years ago. So you’re constantly having to re-learn each other in those new phases of life.
Shawna: I think the biggest thing we’ve learned is how important it is to give each other what the other person needs, even when that changes. What I need now is different than what I needed ten years ago, and the same for Keifer. So it’s about really listening and being willing to adjust.
Keifer: Yeah, and that’s probably the hardest part right now: trying to line up our personal lives with our creative lives. Because they’re so intertwined. If one of us isn’t happy in one area, it affects everything else. But at the same time, that’s what’s kept us going. We don’t just walk away when it gets hard. It would be very easy to say, “This is too much, let’s just stop.” But we don’t. We keep working through it.
Shawna: And I think that’s why we’re still here, because we’re willing to keep learning, keep growing, and keep figuring it out together.
Keifer: Yeah, it’s not perfect, far from it, but it’s real. And I think that’s what’s kept both the marriage and the band alive this long.
You’ve been in this industry long enough to have seen it go through some huge shifts: from the way music is released and consumed, to the rise of streaming and now social media platforms like TikTok playing such a big role in breaking artists. When you look at country music today compared to when you first broke through, it almost feels like a completely different landscape. How do you see the industry now, and how have those changes affected the way you approach your music and your careers?
Keifer: It’s honestly almost unrecognisable from when we first came up. I mean, when we broke through, there was still a very clear path, you wrote songs, you made a record, you worked radio, you toured, and that was kind of the system. There were gatekeepers, for better or worse, and there was a structure to it. Now it just feels like the Wild West. You walk around and you see people filming TikToks, doing dances, chasing moments, and you’re kind of like, “Man… is this what country music is now?” It’s just such a different way of breaking artists and getting attention. And I get it, if you’re 19 years old and that’s the platform you’ve got, that’s how you’re going to use it. That’s your version of getting your foot in the door.
But for us, coming from where we come from, it’s a little hard to wrap your head around sometimes. Because the music was always the centre of everything. The song was the thing. And now it feels like sometimes the content comes first and the music follows, and that’s just a different mindset.
Shawna: Yeah, and I think it can be frustrating at times, because it feels like the definition of what country music is has stretched so wide. There are so many different sounds, so many different influences, and not all of it feels like what we grew up on.
Keifer: Exactly. And it’s not that we’re against change, country music has always evolved. But we just have a different perspective on what it is at its core. For us, it’s about the storytelling, the honesty, the connection. And sometimes it feels like that gets lost in all the noise. At the same time, though, there are positives. The barrier to entry is lower. Artists can get their music out there without needing a label. People can build audiences in ways that just weren’t possible before. So there’s opportunity in that too.
Shawna: And we’re trying to learn how to navigate that, just like everybody else. We’re not immune to it: we have to figure out how to exist in this version of the industry while still staying true to who we are.
Keifer: That’s the balancing act. You don’t want to ignore what’s happening, but you also don’t want to chase something that doesn’t feel authentic to you. So for us, it’s about finding that middle ground, using what’s out there in a way that works for us, but still keeping the music at the centre of everything.
Shawna: Because at the end of the day, that’s the part that lasts. Trends come and go, platforms change, but a great song is still a great song.
Keifer: And that’s what we’re hanging onto. Even if everything around it looks completely different now.
Finally, looking ahead, with everything you’ve talked about in terms of returning to your roots, being independent and finding that creative freedom again, does that all point towards a new Thompson Square album on the horizon?
Shawna: Oh yeah, absolutely, there’s definitely an album coming. It feels like we’re finally in a place where we can really start building something the way we’ve always wanted to. And honestly, it’s exciting because there’s no pressure to do it a certain way anymore. We’re not working to anyone else’s timeline or expectations, we can just let it grow naturally.
Keifer: Yeah, and I’d say not just one album, we’ve actually talked about doing more than one project, or at least approaching it in a way that’s a little different. There’s so much freedom now. We could do an acoustic record, we could do a full studio album, we could release things in pieces: there are no rules anymore. That’s the biggest shift for us.
We’ve even talked about doing an acoustic project, maybe revisiting songs in a stripped-back way or even cutting some covers of the kind of traditional country we grew up on. And then at the same time, we’ve got all this new material that feels really fresh and really honest, so there’s definitely a full studio record in there too.
Shawna: I think the biggest thing is that we’re not trying to fit into a box anymore. Before, it was always, “What’s the single? What’s radio going to play?” And now it’s more like, “What do we want to say? What feels right?” That’s a completely different mindset.
Keifer: And I think that’s going to come through in the music. It’s going to feel a little more raw, a little more rooted, probably closer to what we sounded like when we first started, but with everything we’ve learned over the years layered into it.
Shawna: It just feels like a fresh start, honestly. And I think that’s why we’re so excited about it.
Keifer: Yeah, it’s scary because there’s no safety net, but it’s also the most creative freedom we’ve ever had. And that’s a pretty great place to be when you’re making a record.
