Sterling Drake is a name you need to know.
The up and coming Montana-based troubadour is one of the latest artists to gain serious traction singing about the Western lifestyle, but as should be a requisite to do so, Drake actually lives out the words he sings. Though he originally hails from South Florida, Drake has spent much of his life on the move, and ultimately set roots in Montana where he became involved with ranching.
Channeling his passion for ranching into the creative output of songwriting, Drake has a knack for writing captivating stories and thought provoking lyrics steeped in the ranching and western lifestyle, but also covering plenty of universally relatable topics revolving around relationships, mental health, and more. With a nostalgia-inducing sound and ethos, Drake has been influenced by many musicians that have come before him spanning several genres, though he is particularly inspired by classic country and traditional music, which is apparent in the attention to detail in his songwriting and the timeless nature of his sound.
Releasing his first single “Roll The Dice” in 2021, Drake is relatively new to the scene, and has steadily added to his catalog over the years with a few studio EPs as well as a live EP project from The Station Inn in Nashville that was released in 2023.
But now Drake has begun rolling out singles for his debut album, and it appears that all the hard work he’s put in honing his craft as a musician over the years is coming to fruition, because the singles he’s released thus far have been even a step above the solid foundation he created with his prior releases.
Titled The Shape I’m In, Drake’s debut project features 14 tracks, including covers of Townes Van Zandt’s “White Freight Liner Blues” and the traditional track “House of the Rising Sun” popularized by The Animals, amidst 12 other original songs that showcase his deft songwriting ability. With the album’s release date set for May 2, Drake teamed up with Icelandic producer Thorleifur Davidsson, best known for his work with Sierra Ferrell, to bring this project to life.
A heartfelt love song, the lead single “She Means Everything To Me” hit streaming platforms on February 13, and that was quickly followed up by his latest single “In My Dreams” just three weeks later. In Drake’s own words via the press release circulated by his team at Missing Piece Group, his most recent single “is a reminder to myself to to stay focused on my aspirations and to embrace the unknown nature of the journey no matter how lofty the dream may be.”
Check out Sterling Drake’s latest single “In My Dreams” below:
“I’ve been staying out late losing my sleep
Gaining lost ground from under my feet
Living fast sure does slow you down
I’ve been living alone paying my dues
Earning my way at the cost of my youth
It’s safe to say there’s no way to look back now”
And while we’re at it, here’s the whole track list for Drake’s forthcoming record The Shape I’m In, including the lead single “She Means Everything To Me.”
“The Shape I’m In”
“Calusa”
“She Means Everything to Me”
“Ozark Rose” ft. Timbo
“Best Worst Thing”
“Nothing to Lose”
“Troubadour’s Blues”
“House of the Rising Sun”
“Neon Lights & Cheap Perfume”
“In My Dreams”
“White Freightliner Blues”
“Tramps and Hawkers”
“Worthy of the Name” ft. Brennen Leigh
“Reprise”
One of country music’s best kept secrets at the moment, The Shape I’m In is shaping up to be the catalyst that takes Sterling Drake’s budding career to the next level.
If the two singles released thus far are any indication, then this album is going to be quite the debut.
