Keith Urban joins Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 to open up about his latest album, ‘High.' In the conversation, he talks about his new TV singing competition show, his feelings on what defines country music and more. Listen to the full interview anytime on demand with an Apple Music subscription HERE.
‘Straight Line' and the Three-Minute Escape
Urban described the upbeat “Straight Line” as a “three-minute vacation,” born from the universal struggle of monotony and burnout. Reflecting on how life can feel like an endless loop, he wanted the song to offer a jolt of freedom. “Sometimes just a song can shake you up for a minute,” he said, explaining that the track is about reclaiming joy and breaking free from daily drudgery.
Facing Addiction and Finding a Fork in the Road
Urban opened up about his long battle with addiction, revealing how an internal voice warned him for years that one day he’d face a defining choice. That moment arrived in 2006 during an intervention initiated by his wife. “There won’t be a next time,” he recalled thinking. “And you’ll know when it comes. That was it.”
Redefining Country Music
Asked about the evolving nature of country music, Urban argued that the genre has always shifted. “Country is always a relative definition,” he said. “It expands, it contracts. That’s its breathing.” He pushed back on purist criticism, adding, “When people go, ‘That’s not country,’ I always think, ‘Well, it’s not your country. It’s someone else’s.’”
From Early Gigs to Māori Dart Tournaments
Urban recalled one of his earliest gigs at a pub in Whangārei, New Zealand, where he found himself playing in front of a crowd of rowdy, inebriated Māori dart players. Initially terrified, he won them over with his music. “Within seconds they were all singing along,” he said. “Stacked harmonies. Of course.”
Healing Through ‘Break the Chain‘
The album’s final track, “Break the Chain,” dives deep into Urban’s family history and upbringing in an alcoholic household. Written quickly in a moment of emotional clarity, the song reflects his attempt to understand and heal generational trauma. “I realized I can either keep pointing fingers or take responsibility and maybe try to change things,” he said.
New TV Series ‘The Road' Brings Back the Grind
Urban also discussed ‘The Road' a new music competition series he co-created with Blake Shelton. Unlike polished talent shows, this one puts contestants in real clubs in places like Oklahoma and Nashville, where they perform for live local audiences who vote in real-time. “You’re either on the road or off the road,” Urban said, noting that each night, someone gets cut. The series aims to capture the raw reality of chasing a music career, much like he did coming up. “It’s tough,” he said. “There’s no safety net.”
With new music, fresh creative projects, and an unfiltered look at his past, Keith Urban continues to evolve—pushing boundaries while staying deeply rooted in personal truth.
